School Board approves block scheduling in Green River

By Alice Wadley Staff writer

The Emery County School District met for their monthly meeting on June 22. This was Superintendent Kirk Sitterud’s final board meeting before his retirement on July 1. Emery High principal Larry Davis will assume duties as the superintendent on July 1. Mr. Davis read the words he shared at the Emery High graduation thanking Superintendent Sitterud. Mr. Davis said, I had the opportunity to spend three days with Kirk and his family in Midway. He introduced me to superintendents and school officials from around the state. He led the school district through some turbulent times. He has been our leader through the great recession and the war on terror.
Jared Black said, Mr. Sitterud has been a great friend and a mentor to me. He has worked diligently for the kids of Emery County.
School board member Sam Singleton said, I was Kirk’s high school English teacher for three years and I am very proud of him.
President Laurel Johansen shared words from the entire school board and thanked Superintendent Sitterud for his many years of service to Emery County.
Dayna Terry from Emery High School spoke to the board concerning the school adopting a block schedule at EHS. The current graduation requirement is 24 credits. We would like to increase our credits to graduate. Our students are competitors in athletics, but we are not competitors in academics. Many of the schools through out Utah are on a block schedule. One of the benefits of the block schedule is it fits with the college courses. One of the problems is when a student transfers from EHS is they have to earn extra credits to graduate. One of the concerns is the students who have release time. Terry said this shouldn’t be an issue as the class is offered before school starts and most students graduate with extra credits anyway. They also have the option of taking an online course. EHS would like to gradually increase the number of credits to graduate. Terry said she would like to see an increase this year of one credit.
The public hearing for the budget was opened. Black said there was a decreased value of $106 million because there was no new growth from property taxes. The projected enrollment for this year is 2,207 students. This is the lowest it has been in several years.
Superintendent Sitterud submitted names for approval; Alicia Blake and Burton Sant, teachers at Book Cliff Elementary School. Richard Nobbe, band teacher at Emery High School. Jill Weber, teacher at Castle Dale Elementary School. Crisanne Durrant, educational assistant at Huntington Elementary School. Sydney Jewkes and Shelby Bagley, assistant drill advisors at EHS. Mekette Taney, teacher at Cottonwood Elementary School. Dustin Service, head custodian EHS. Courtney Cox, head custodian at Huntington Elementary School, Yvonne Jensen, principal at Canyon View Junior High School. Steven Gordon, principal at Emery High. Dean Stilson, assistant principal at Emery High and Ryan Maughan, Director of Student Services, Emery School District.
Principal Kayce Fluckey from Green River High School returned to the school board concerning block scheduling at GRHS. I have meet with Larry Davis and Jed Jensen and we have discussed the block scheduling. We spoke about site specific endorsements and professional development. I spoke to Neal Peacock concerning the professional development and he will be at GRHS on Aug. 9, most of the teachers will be able to attend. We have the resources to make the block schedule happen. Mr. Davis was concerned about the parents being informed. We did discuss it at our community council meetings. We will also discuss it with parents and students when they register for school. The students aren’t as receptive as the teachers because it will require more work. We have to challenge our kids. The Freshman class this year will require 30 credits for graduation. The Junior and Senior classes will stay at 24 credits to graduate. We will try this for one year. We know it might require some adjusting to fit the needs of GRHS.
Craig Gowans from GRHS attended and spoke in favor of the block schedule. The kids had questions about the block schedule and graduation. Once I explained it to them they seemed to be in favor of it. It will give us more time for instruction everyday. The school board voted in favor of a 5 x 5 block schedule at GRHS.
Aubreyona Migliori and Erin Oliverson requested travel for the youth coalition to travel to Las Vegas for advanced training. The youth coalition attended the beginner training in Washington DC in February. There will be four girls attending and two adults. They will utilize a private vehicle for transportation. The school board approved the travel.
Superintendent Sitterud recognized the passing of Ernest Weeks, a former ECSD superintendent. He passed away on June 8. I sent condolences to the family on behalf of the school district.