School board hears report on Cottonwood Elementary

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The Emery County School Board met at Cottonwood Elementary for their September meeting. The board approved Mike Scow as a part-time custodian for Canyon View Junior High and Claron Durrant as a three hour educational assistant for kindergarten at Huntington Elementary. They approved a coaching list for 2014-15.
The school district has three vehicles it will sell as surplus.
Teacher Janet Tuttle gave the school report.
“I’ve been a teacher here for six years and I’ve always felt like part of a team. I love being here. We have great teachers and support staff. It’s a great place to work,” said Tuttle.
She said they are always working to improve the school. They are working on rules and procedures with Amy Bell. The procedures can be as simple as which side of the hall to walk down and walking with arms folded in an orderly manner. These little things she said have improved their school. Small things have made a big difference in the atmosphere of the school. The students come to school ready to learn. It’s a goal of the school to have all students reading at grade level. The school is involved in many great programs to increase reading. There is a plan for each individual student to increase their reading power.
New this year will be the Road to Success program which involves Zions Bank and Tony Basso as sponsors. Local sponsors will also be found. The Parent Teacher Association will be involved and rewards will be given to students for completing reading at home. The PTA will also help prepare and organize assemblies.
Writing programs in the school will extend into all subject areas. The school has two I-pad carts for the students to use. “It’s our goal to provide students with the best education possible. We have a great staff and the best learning environment. I love this community,” said Tuttle
Board president Laurel Johansen said she appreciates the work being done at Cottonwood Elementary.
Business Administrator Jared Black said the auditors will be in the district next week. A couple of the board members might be needed to meet with the auditors.
Superintendent Kirk Sitterud said he really appreciated Janet Tuttle for being the lead teacher and keeping things moving at the school. She, along with School Secretary Carol Stilson has kept things running smoothly with a turnover in their staff of half. Many staff members have had added responsibilities.
Superintendent Sitterud asked everyone to stay informed and involved with changes at the state office of education. There have been several retirements and turnovers in key positions at the state office. The state office is taking more of a business approach in operations. Superintendent Sitterud said, “It will be interesting.”
Ferron Elementary custodian Larry Anderson sent in his letter of retirement effective on Sept. 1. The district is advertising for that position. The sports schedules and travel schedules will need to be approved next month. Any travel more than 150 miles must be approved by the school board. Superintendent Sitterud reported on enrollment. Projections last year were that the district would be up 29 students, but on the second day of school enrollment was down by 60 students. Most of the decline was in the elementary schools. As of Sept. 3, enrollment was down 21 students. The official count will be out on Oct. 1. Currently enrollment district wide is at 2,296 students. In 1992, the enrollment was 3,400 students. “The good news is we still have 2,296 students to educate and we want to do the best job possible. We hope the economy picks up and new families come in,” said Superintendent Sitterud.
The ACT report came in and Emery County students are at or above the state levels in most test areas.
Superintendent Sitterud mentioned the two people running for positions on the state school board. One is from Monroe, Mike Miles and Mark Huntsman from Millard. Information about each candidate was included in the packets for the board members. He encouraged them to become informed because the state school board is a critical race.
The board went into a closed session to deal with any personnel issues. Superintendent Sitterud invited anyone wishing to address the board on personnel issues to stay and they could meet with the board individually.
Superintendent Sitterud said the situation with the Cottonwood Elementary principal Dennis Jones is under review. The board does not want the situation to go on for a long time, but currently no decisions have been made. Superintendent Sitterud said they can’t comment on the situation at this time, but, they want everyone to know they will do what’s best for the students.