The Emery County School District held their May meeting at Cleveland Elementary. Superintendent Larry Davis submitted names for approval: Christy Reed, Secretary at Cleveland Elementary. Julie Jones, lead cook at Cottonwood Elementary. Bridgit Grimm, half-day kindergarten teacher at Cleveland Elementary. Lyndi Brady, teacher at Cleveland Elementary. Jaime Anderson, teacher at Castle Dale Elementary.
Superintendent Davis proposed changes and revisions to the technology policy. A new policy was adopted for bringing your own technology to school. A revision to the electronic communication device use policy was made. A revision to the acceptable use policy for employees and students. A revision to the employee web pages and social networking policy.
Dean Stilson, vice principal at Emery High requested the credit requirement for graduation be increased and the date for implementation be moved up to the 2017-2018 school year. The school would like the credit increase because the school is going to a 5×5 block schedule. If the school stays at the 24 credit minimum to graduate most students will graduate their junior year and could graduate as early as their sophomore year. As it is right now many seniors will not have to go to school a full day. Many seniors only need one or two classes. We want to keep kids in school. The school has added more classes and CTE classes. EHS is just asking the school board to consider implementing the credit increase sooner than previously planned. The class of 2019 will see an increase of three credits. The class of 2020 will see an addition credit increase of three credits and the incoming Freshman class will need 32 credits to graduate.
Board member Kenzie Guymon was concerned the drop out rate might go up due to the increased credits. She would like to see some input as to how it affects graduation rates.
Superintendent Davis said the board voted in July 2016 to have the increase for the class of 2020 with an increase of two credits per year. The increase was based on the current schedule and not a block schedule.
Board member Guymon made a motion to amend the original proposal to study the graduation rates of other schools who adopted similar graduation requirements. The motioned died and the school board passed the original proposal presented by Mr. Stilson.
The board discussed and approved fee updates for Canyon View and San Rafael schools.
Commissioner Keith Brady was in attendance to discuss the MOU between the school district and the county concerning the use of the Wibit at the aquatic center. The Wibit will be used as a fundraiser for the swim team. The swim team will get to keep 33 percent of the monies collected from the Wibit. The aquatic center is considering a charge of $5 per hour/per person for playing on the Wibit.
The Landtrust money went up by 30 percent this year. The spending of the funds is determined by the community councils. Once it is approved on a district level it is sent to the state to be approved and released.
Principal Jerel Lofley gave the principal’s report. He said, the school will have some new teachers and a new secretary next year. We continue to work on our four Rs as we have for several years. The four Rs are, Rights, Respect, Responsibility and Recognition “Every student at Cleveland Elementary has a right to learn in a safe environment. Every student has the responsibility to respect the rights and property of others, do his/her best, and allow other students to do the same.
Everyone is invited to the talent shows in May. The student ambassadors put on the shows every year. The K-3 talent show will be on May 19 at 9 a.m and the 4-6 talent show will be on May 12 at Noon.
Superintendent Davis gave his report. He said the business department received an award for their 2016 financial report.
Cottonwood Elementary won the Director’s Choice award for the SITLA Instagram Photo Contest. The school will receive $1,000 to use at the school. The check will be presented to the school on May 17 at 11 a.m.
The district will need to advertise for a full-time music and arts teacher at Green River High School.
The sixth and ninth grade transition is moving along. We are in the process of preparing the land for the trailers. We are getting textbooks.
Our Schools Now is looking for volunteers to gather signatures for a personal income tax increase of 7/8 of a percent. Our Schools Now is an initiative to give Utah voters the opportunity to participate in the critical questions of how we are to invest in the continued improvement of our schools. This initiative would allow Utahns to vote on a ballot measure to increase the state income tax and invest the increase in educational performance improvement. If this is put on the ballot and passed it could mean an increase of $1,000 per enrolled student. For more information visit ourschoolsnow.com.
The district wellness and nutrition policy will need to be signed by June 30. President Trump has said he will make changes to the existing policy. The district will approve the policy and amend it if the changes take place.
Adele Justice, representing the Aspect Foundation thanked the school district for participating in the foreign exchange program. There are four foreign exchange students at Emery High this year. Feride Y was in attendance. She said, “I got to do sports this year. I was on the swim team and I am now on the track team. I am thankful for all of the kids helping me with everything. Everyone is very friendly and tries to be my friend. I like that.” If anyone would like to sponsor a foreign exchange student they can contact Adele Justice.
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