The Emery School District is preparing for the 2015-2016 school year. School begins on Aug. 25. On Aug. 24 the district will have opening institute, Dr. Greg Hudnall will be the guest speaker. He is an expert on suicide prevention training. He will also address bullying for the elementary school teachers. Part of the opening institute will include instruction on the new education evaluations which must be done for each teacher. A benefit fair and luncheon for district employees will be from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and all events will be held at Emery High.
Superintendent Kirk Sitterud said they are filling all the available positions open in the district. They are still in need of bus drivers and substitute bus drivers. Superintendent Sitterud presented the following names for approval: Peggy Kremers-child nutrition at Huntington Elementary for four days a week, two hours per day; Loye Tucker at Emery High, child nutrition for one hour per day; Shawnee Conboy-child nutrition at Emery High for two hours per day; Mekette Taney, educational assistant at the Cottonwood preschool for three hours per day; Amanda Nelson-educational assistant-preschool-Cottonwood Elementary for three hours per day; Michaela Hughes-educational assistant-computer lab-library- instructional at BookCliff Elementary for 29.5 hours per week; Gayna Salinas-Educational Assistant-title one and BookCliff Elementary for three hours per day; Darlene DeBry-half day counselor-elementary-special education; Sandra Oveson-adult education facilitator.
Superintendent Sitterud said Green River High will have an automotive program this year. Utah State University Eastern will sponsor the program. Instructor Mike Kava will visit the school once each week and the other days will be with online instruction. Ten or 11 of the Green River students have signed up to participate. While Kava is in Green River, the Emery High students will receive online instruction.
A truth in taxation hearing was held during board meeting to receive comments on the tax rates for the year 2015 and for the budget for 2016. Business Administrator Jared Black explained the items for the hearing. A judgment levy will be assessed to recoup taxes which must be paid back to Utah American Energy in the amount of $122,000. This amount was awarded for taxes protested by the company.
Black went over the items in the budget which changed from the time of the June board meeting. The budget is $2,000 lower than in the original budget. The board approved the budget and the tax rate.
Superintendent Sitterud said he was communicating with the Alpine District and they will begin the school year with 400-600 substitutes. Teachers are hard to find. “There is a huge teacher shortage,” said Superintendent Sitterud. He presented the coaches list for the board approval. The district is still looking for aides for Ferron Elementary and Castle Dale. Principal Larry Davis at Emery High is looking for a math tutor.
The board approved policy revisions concerning records management and access and evaluation of professional staff. Should a security breech of student records occur the district would notify parents immediately. The district doesn’t keep this data but according to state statute there needs to be a method to address such a breech should it occur.
The other policy change is concerning the teacher evaluations. If the teacher scores in the lowest two evaluation categories, they would not be allowed any type of pay increase during the period they remained in those categories. Teachers are evaluated on a three year cycle. The board approved the basic policy and more work will be put into the policy with more detail as the evaluation committee works on the policy.
The asbestos containing material notification is available for the public to review and notice of this will be put in the Emery County Progress.
Neal Peacock is the new Emery Education Association President, replacing Kim Player. Peacock said he is happy for the working relationship the association has with the district and how issues are addressed between the association and the board.
Cottonwood Elementary Principal John Hughes said they have painted their school and new cement has been poured around the school.
At Emery High the tennis courts are being resurfaced.
Superintendent Sitterud said they are planning a visit to the Uintah District to look at how they have implemented moving ninth graders to their high school and their handling of the sixth grade students.
The district is thinking of having the University of Utah survey center prepare a survey for parents, teachers and students concerning moving ninth graders and sixth graders. The district is planning to visit all the facilities and schools to learn of questions and concerns they have so these can be addressed.
Peacock reported the Emery High boys golf team finished second at a recent match held at Palisades.
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