School board swears in new member

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

The January meeting of the Emery County School District Board of Education was held at Canyon View Junior High School.
President Laurel Johansen welcomed all attending the meeting and recognized and welcomed Nanette Tanner as a new member of the board. She then led those in attendance in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Business Administrator Jared Black administered the Oath of Office to member-elect Nanette Tanner as well as newly re-elected members Laurel Johansen and Sam Singleton.
Johansen was re-elected to a two year term as board president. Royd Hatt was re-elected to a two year term as board vice-president.
Jared Black was reappointed as the business administrator of the school district for a two year term.
Supt. Kirk Sitterud recommended to the b oard that the following persons be approved for the positions indicated, beginning employment on the day indicated: Trudi Cox-library educational assistant,two hour-Emery High School-Dec. 8, 2008.
Gillian Wandell-kindergarten teacher, half-day-Cleveland Elementary-Jan. 5.
Kacie Crawford-land trust educational assistant, three hour-Ferron Elementary-Jan. 5.
Hallie Jo Horton-preschool educational assistant, three hour-Cleveland Elementary-Dec. 9, 2008.
Supt. Sitterud explained that Mike Kava is requesting to take five students to the second annual competition in Hobbs, N. M. from Feb. 3-7. All fees would be paid for by CEU, including transportation. He added that the automotive program has had excellent success at this competition in the past, even though it is a junior college level competition. The board approved the request.
Supt. Sitterud recommended approval of an overnight trip for the Junior High Honor Choir on Jan. 24-25. The trip would involve nine students from San Rafael and eight from Canyon View. At least three adult chaperones would be attending. The trip is to perform in the honor choir competition at Jordan High School. The board approved the trip.
Black explained that the district has need to update the GBJC/JR: Records Management and Access policy to be current with the current G.R.A.M.A. law in Utah. The updated policy includes an application that must be filled out for any G.R.A.M.A. request in the future. It also consolidates some of the language of the previous policy and further classifies district records. The policy changes were approved.
Principal Jimmy Jones welcomed the Board of Education to Canyon View junior high and thanked them for their support of the school. He mentioned several good news items including successful results in the math, science and language arts programs at Canyon View. He reported that 15 students passed the skills test for computers, which is a very good number according to the teacher. The band and chorus programs are doing well and the school continues to motivate students through the Tickets for Treasures program and the quarterly Top Cat parties. The school is looking to try out a new Tune into Reading program.
Pres. Johansen thanked Principal Jones for his report, mentioning her appreciation for his enthusiasm and for carrying on the tradition of excellence at Canyon View.
Supt. Sitterud reported some of the budget challenges that may be facing the district in the upcoming year due to cuts in State funding. The district will certainly face a State budget cut for the 2009-10 year, and may see a cut in the current year. The district would like to get through this year without reducing staff, then look at what the reduced budget will allow next year. He explained that everything will depend on the Legislature and traditionally, they have been kinder to education than to other State agencies, but we will have to wait until the session to find out exactly what the reductions will be.