Parent talks about soccer at board meeting

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

The Emery School District board of education met in their May meeting at San Rafael Junior High.
Luci Robinson was first on the agenda and gave information on the comprehensive guidance program at the school. She has been busy with student education plans where she meets with the students and their parents to discuss their plans for the future and to make sure the student is on line for graduation. She has had much success with this program and has currently completed SEOP for most of the school. She still has a few seventh graders to meet with. She has also met with students in groups.
She is also involved in data collection and reporting and the state is working to make this requirement easier and in a more workable format. The school has been very active in guidance activities and anti-bullying education. The tipline at the school has been used a lot. Time set aside for students to read has been helpful and the math remediation program is going well.
Troy Winter came before the school board to discuss soccer. He would like to see a soccer program at the high school level. He said he has been involved in soccer his entire life and he’s been in the county eight years and has helped the soccer program in the county to grow. This year’s program exceeds 240 participants. The junior high level players have formed a traveling team and have been playing around the area. Winter said last year he visited with Principal Larry Davis and Athletic Director Todd Jeffs at the high school. There are 26 on the traveling team. Winter said, “I believe there’s interest and opportunity. That’s why we wanted to come and talk to you. What do we need to do to come into Emery High?”
Superintendant Kirk Sitterud said the program has been looked at before, but it’s been eight-10 years since a survey was done. With Title 9, if a boys sport is added another opportunity for a girls sport must be added to keep an equal opportunity for boys and girls. Boys play soccer in the spring and girls in the fall. There is the cost to look at, coaches, and are the fields at the school adequate for soccer. There will have to be a cost analysis. Students will have to be surveyed to see if they are interested in soccer and to see if it doesn’t interfere with sports the students may already be playing. Winter said in his experience those who play soccer aren’t usually involved in the other spring sports. There are four girls currently on the traveling team and nine girls that played last year that are currently in high school.
The board said they were willing to look at it. Winter said they would need approximately 20 players for a team. There are 11 on the field at one time.
Jerry Stotler invited the schools to become involved in the summer of service program sponsored by the Lt. Governor’s office. Lt. Gov. Bell is encouraging young people to get involved in their communities and perform service. The students can keep track of their hours on line through userve.utah.gov and there will be prizes offered.
Superintendant Sitterud asked for approval for personnel items. Nancy Hansen will teach a half-day kindergarten at Cleveland Elementary. Jessica Lindley will teach self-contained special education at Cottonwood Elementary. Fourth-sixth graders special education will go to Cottonwood Elementary with a second-third grade unit at Cottonwood as well. Huntington Elementary will have the kindergarten-third grade special education. Jamie Murdoch and Lacey Murdoch will be the cheer advisors at San Rafael Junior High. LuAnn Sorensen will teach a half day Kindergarten at Ferron Elementary along with a half-day preschool.
“We are still working on staffing for next year. We will hold off on hiring support staff until after July 1 when new regulations take effect. Bob Smith will be retiring this year from Huntington Elementary,” said Superintendant Sitterud.
The board approved the school trustland plans submitted by each of the schools. It is the responsibility of the school community councils to address the school’s greatest academic needs with trustlands monies. After board approval the plans will now go onto the state office of education.
The board discussed how the school district will meet the requirements of SB-64 regarding teacher evaluations. One-third of the educators must be evaluated each year. This will be done with parent/student surveys and also observation. From 2015-16 and onward any pay increases will be partially based on surveys and student achievement. The program will have an experimental year at test sites before it is fully implemented. Superintendant Sitterud said there will need to be a tremendous amount of staff development.
The board approved a policy action in regards to student safety. If a student threatens suicide or is involved in a bullying incident, parents will be immediately notified. This was also added to the bullying policy.
Travel approval for the Emery High Marching band to participate in the Days of 47 parade on July 24 was given.
Bids were looked at for the heating and air conditioning project at Canyon View and San Rafael junior highs. New systems will increase the energy efficiency on the monthly bills. The projects were bid in three different categories including equipment, controls and installation. Doing the bids this way helped to save the district money. The projects at the junior highs are supposed to be completed by Aug. 10.
Kerry Lake was nominated the Utah state maintenance employee of the year and will be recognized at a banquet.
San Rafael Principal Doug Mecham said they’ve had a lot of good things happen in his first year at San Rafael. He said he had a parent tell him how much she appreciated the counselor Luci Robinson. The counselor helped the student to feel like they are smart and can succeed. Mecham said he’s appreciative that the heating and cooling system will be done. The current system is very outdated. The teachers and students at San Rafael make education fun and exciting. The junior high kids are great. He enjoyed the Veteran’s Day program the school hosts each year and the traditions in place at San Rafael. “I’m excited for summer and excited for next year. We have had much success from our students. Six students have had essays published in a creative writing book. Zachary Fauver had his poetry published in a booklet,” said Principal Mecham.
Lane Justice said they’ve seen a big difference at the school and as a school employee he appreciates the support of the new principal.
Superintendant Sitterud said Jennifer Parkins has been recognized by Utah State as the outstanding outreach student. Graduations will take place on May 23 at Emery High and Green River High at 7 p.m.