Emery School board meets in Green River

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The April meeting of the Emery County School District Board of Education was held at Green River High School.
Superintendent Kirk Sitterud recommended to the Board that the following individuals be approved for the positions indicated: Eric Nielson: Math Teacher Emery High; Monica Hansen: Cheer Advisor Emery High; Shawnee Snow: Assistant Cheer Advisor Emery High; Savannah Withers: Assistant Drill Advisor Emery High; Sami Johnson: Assistant Drill Advisor Emery High; Hailey Cloward: Assistant Drill Advisor Emery High; Kathy Addley: Bus Assistant Transportation.
Superintendent Sitterud presented a letter of resignation from Claron Durrant, who has been working as an educational assistant at Huntington Elementary School. Johnson added that the Board extends a large “thank you” to Mr. Durrant.
Superintendent Sitterud presented a revised 3-year calendar for approval. Each of the three years needed one day adjusted. Board Action Item (B4): Superintendent Sitterud presented the following policy actions to the Board for consideration and approval:
JJIB-Interscholastic Athletics: Revision to establish changes agreed to by the Board of Education with regard to ninth grade sports.
IICB-Summer Activity Participation: Two options presented to establish further policy in relation to the use of summer buses for sports and other activities. Superintendent Sitterud explained that the first option would allow for some approved travel for camps if there is a compelling reason and also sets restrictions if the activity or camp is not approved as being District sponsored. The second option would not allow District sponsored travel and sets restrictions on the use of school names and uniforms.
Superintendent Sitterud noted that the cost of bus transportation is approaching $4 per mile and if all programs are allowed to use buses for summer camps and travel, the expense to the District would be substantial. He also noted that it is difficult to allow it for one program and not for another. Members of the Board indicated that they did not want to expand the use of summer buses. The board approved the second option for summer bus travel.
Business manager Jared Black presented the following policy actions to the Board for consideration and approval:
DJB-Cash Disbursement: Revision to establish comprehensive policy related to District expenditures. This revision replaces several previous policies
DJG-Purchasing Ethics: Revision to establish policy related to ethical considerations employees should understand when involved in the expenditure of District funds.
DKC-Employee Travel Reimbursement: Updated to reflect current standards issued by the State Office of Education.
Black presented a list of capital improvement projects to the Board of Education for approval. He also presented bids for two specific projects:
Spartan Center Roof Seal
Advanced Roofing, Arrowhead, American Frontier and North Face Roofing.
$38,565, $61,945, $72,247 $127,300.
Black recommended awarding this project to the low bidder, Advanced Roofing. The District has worked with Advanced Roofing in the past, with good results.
Lighting Projects Black reviewed the various bids for the proposed lighting upgrades:
Canyon View Junior High: Commons Area
Castle Dale Elementary: Whole School (bids were requested for both a partial school and whole school project-the recommended project is to do the whole school)
Ferron Elementary: Lunchroom and One Classroom
San Rafael Junior High: Whole School (bids were requested for both a partial school and whole school project-the recommended project is to do the whole school)
Book Cliff Elementary: Cafeteria Area
The District requested bids for both LED and T8 lighting options. The recommendations Black presented to the Board are for LED lighting in all schools except Ferron Elementary, where T8 lighting was suggested.
The Maintenance department is reviewing the bid from Lofthouse Electric for San Rafael Junior High to make sure the proposed LED fixtures are acceptable. He asked the Board to give him authority to award the San Rafael bid to DiVi if the proposed fixtures are found to not be acceptable.
The board appointed negotiation team members for upcoming meetings with President Laurel Johansen and Marie Johnson to the Classified team. Nanette Tanner and Sam Singleton on the Licensed team. Business Administrator Black will participate on both teams. President Johansen also extended authority to Superintendent Sitterud to appoint District personnel to chair negotiations meetings.
Emery High band teacher Ben Carroll requested approval for the marching band to travel and perform in the Days of ’47 parade in Salt Lake City on July 24th. The trip would include an overnight stay and would involve around 60 students with eight chaperones.
Principal Nolan Johnson was out of town, so teacher Kayce Fluckey gave a report of Green River High School to the Board of Education. She thanked the Board for supporting needed capital improvements in the school. She reviewed initiatives and improvements being made in each of the curricular areas. She also mentioned that students are now participating in a science fair and the quiz bowl, and she hopes that sterling scholar will be added next year.
Principal Durrant of Book Cliff Elementary gave a report to the Board. She thanked the efforts of the faculty and staff at Book Cliff. She mentioned that having Kaye Nelson work with ELL students has brought immediate and positive results. The school also has a new iPad lab and is integrating more technology into learning.
Board President Johansen thanked Ms. Fluckey and Principal Durrant for their reports.
Black reported the legislative session resulted in a 2.5 percent increase in the Weighted Pupil Unit. The District recently received preliminary revenue estimates and the business staff is beginning to put the FY15 budget together. There will be a significant increase in the Utah Retirement System rate.
Superintendent Sitterud reported on the legislative session. One bill of note provides $20 million in funding for STEM programs. The District has submitted an application to participate in this initiative, which would provide math instruction software for grades 6-12. He added that the implementation of the new evaluation system has been delayed. The District will still begin using the new instrument in the 2014-15 school year.
Mrs. Hughes requested the District look at allowing Green River to have access to a rear-engine bus with luggage bins, particularly during the basketball season. Black indicated he would check into this. Mrs. Hughes also mentioned she was there to represent a group of parents who have some concerns with Green River High School. It was agreed that it would not be appropriate to discuss these concerns in open meeting. Instead, when Principal Johnson returns to work, he and Secondary Supervisor Gwen Callahan will meet with Mrs. Hughes to discuss these concerns.
Members of the Board thanked those in attendance for their interest in improving education in Green River.