Ferron Elementary is a Utah high performing Title 1 school

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The November 2009 meeting of the Emery County School District Board of Education was held at Ferron Elementary School.
Kay Kimball and Rick Roberts of Kimball and Roberts, PC presented the auditor’s report for fiscal year 2009. Kimball mentioned his appreciation to the staff of the school district for their cooperation in preparing for and completing the audit. He was able to report a clean opinion on the financial statements of the school district.
Kimball then reviewed various portions of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, explaining the different sections of the report to the Board of Education. Roberts explained the process of the single audit as well as some of the reports pertaining to federal funding. Jared Black, business administrator thanked Kimball and Roberts for performing a good audit and mentioned that recognition for the financial success and reporting in the district goes to the many secretaries, principals and district office employees who adhere to District policies regarding finances. Black took a few minutes to point out various bits of information from the report. Marie Johnson, board member thanked Kimball for his report.
Members of the board considered the warrants as well as the minutes for the October 2009 Board meeting and the financial reports for September and October 2009.
Supt. Kirk Sitterud recommended to the board that the following individuals be approved for the positions indicated, beginning their responsibilities immediately: Andrea Johansen-volunteer swim coach-Emery High; Tammy Oliverson-volunteer swim coach-Emery High. He added that both coaches must be certified in water safety as well as pass a background check.
Supt. Sitterud recommended a policy revision to policy JICFA: Bullying and Hazing. He explained that this policy was initially passed by the board only a year ago, but since that time, the State Board of Education has revised their bullying and hazing rule, which requires the district to update its policy to be compliant. The main change in policy is adding mandatory training requirements on all aspects of bullying. This training is required for faculty, staff and students. He has found a DVD that can be used to train faculty and staff and it has been ordered. He is still looking for an appropriate training resource for students.
Principal Brian Dawes welcomed the board to Ferron Elementary and thanked them for their support of the school. He recognized the recent passing of Mark DeBry, husband of employee Darline DeBry. It has been a difficult time emotionally for the school as many employees are close to the DeBry family.
He reported that absentee levels are back to normal after reaching a high of 102 students absent a couple of weeks ago. He recognized the employees new to Ferron Elementary this year, noting that they have assimilated well with the existing faculty and staff. Ferron Elementary is receiving an award as a “Utah High Performing Title I School”. School-wide, language arts scores were at the 95th percentile and math scores were at the 92nd percentile. He attributed these results to a dedicated and competent group of faculty and staff who strive to help each student. They are holding meetings each six weeks to discuss the needs of each student and this process has resulted in better teaching and achievement. Johnson thanked Principal Dawes for his work, noting that the school has a feeling of cohesiveness. Sam Singleton, board member also mentioned the great atmosphere at Ferron Elementary and the congeniality of the faculty and staff.
Supt. Sitterud recognized the recent passing of Mark DeBry, as well as the passing of Roger Curtis, a former teacher for the district and Henry Clarke, husband of the district’s transportation secretary, Janice Clarke. He updated the board on the recent closure of Cleveland Elementary.
The State Board has ruled to allow the school to waive the three days of missed school as long as 990 hours of education are completed by the end of the regular school year. Ferron Elementary is being awarded as a High Performing Title I school. Huntington Elementary has also received this designation and should be commended. Supt. Sitterud reminded the board of several events: on Nov. 17, a training was held for administrators in place of the regular administrative council meeting; Nov. 19 was Support Professionals Day in Utah; on Dec. 3, the Inclusions Center from Salt Lake gave a diversity training at Green River High; Dec. 10 is the Governor’s Education Summit; and Jan. 8-9, 2010 is the Utah School Boards convention in Salt Lake.