The Emery County School Board held their March meeting at Canyon View Junior High in Huntington. Superintendent Kirk Sitterud said they move the substitute bus drivers into permanent routes as they become available and he asked for the approval of Heidi Lindsey as a bus driver.
Superintendent Sitterud said the school grade level configuration survey and study is complete. He stressed they wanted to pursue the moving of students if it could be completed in such a way to not reduce current staff or close any schools.
They have talked to staff at schools, administrators, parents and students. Superintendent Sitterud presented all the results to the school board members.
He said there are a number of things to consider and it’s not just the movement of the students. Curriculum must be considered and proper teacher endorsements. The district student population is still in a decline. It’s very important everything be examined carefully. It is proposed for the 2017-18 school year that ninth grade students be moved to Emery High. It is proposed for the 2017-18 school year that Canyon View Junior High and San Rafael Junior High become middle schools. The middle schools will contain sixth, seventh and eighth grades. The sixth grades will be integrated into school activities. There may be new staff configurations at those schools.
If any reductions occur in the elementaries this year, they will be filled with temporary one year assignments. Then those filling these positions may in the future replace any retiring teachers. This will give elementary teachers the opportunity to acquire their secondary endorsements. Some teachers may need to move to Emery High as there will be 150 additional students at the school.
The district will need to develop policy on sixth grade participation in sports and other middle school activities.
These preparations will start now for planning and scheduling to make this move. The high school will have the most to do in adding a grade level at the school.
Superintendent Sitterud also instructed the school board to add their input to the configuration moves and to also keep track of how things are going with the moves as they take place. The question was asked if the additional students at the school would effect the classification Emery High is in. The answer was no, currently they only count the juniors and seniors at a school when considering which classification they fit into.
Superintendent Sitterud said the classifications may be changing again and will now include six classifications. Also all sports at a school may not be in the same classification, currently football at Emery High is in 3A and the other sports are 2A.
Teacher Neal Peacock said there might be sports in 1A, 2A or 3A depending on which sport it is. The board approved the recommendation to move the ninth grade students to the high school and the sixth grade students to middle school.
Business Administrator Jared Black reviewed the capital project list with the board. Each school submits a list of projects they would like completed each year. The list is reviewed, some of the projects are completed by district staff during the summers and some are contracted out. The project listis prioritized.
Royd Hatt, board member said there is a real need to replace and repair the lighting at Green River High. There have been problems there forever and if you change a light bulb, you get shocked. The new LED lights have been burning out quickly and they are supposed to be longer burning bulbs. This problem will be addressed. The electrical problems in the auditorium and the gymnasium at Green River High need to be addressed and Superintendent Sitterud suggested it may be a grounding issue.
Canyon View Principal Jim Jones welcomed the school board to Canyon View. He said teacher Dean Stilson recently received his administrative endorsement and he was going to give the school report.
Stilson reported 46 percent of the students at CVJH are on the honor roll with a 3.6 GPA or higher and 61 percent of the students have a 3.2 GPA or higher.
Everyone who qualifies can attend the Top Cat party, the students receive points for academics and citizenship. Parties have included field trips and pizza parties.
Stilson said to date 65 ninth grade students have participated in sports at the high school. This number will go up with the spring sports beginning.
They have had a great year at Canyon View receiving first place in all sporting activities.
The school is using a program Master Connect which assesses where each individual student is in their progress and assignments can be aligned to what each student needs.
The test results are back fast, as soon as the scores are entered. It let’s the teachers know where each student stands and if any remediation is needed. Their data shows improvements for students.
Stilson reported the Trustlands monies have been used for reading programs and for aides that help individual students with their literature and reading comprehension. There’s been much success with that program increasing students reading level.
Students are involved in end of season basketball tournaments, solo and ensemble festivals, track and the closing program will be May 20.
Board president Laurel Johansen said the board appreciates what they are doing at Canyon View and their caring about the kids who achieve and the kids who struggle.
Black reported Kerry Allred is starting a wellness program for the school district with health challenges. So far 40-50 percent of district employees are participating. There are incentives and prize drawings for participants.
Superintendent Sitterud reviewed the legislative bills regarding education being discussed this legislative season.
Peacock asked what the procedure and timeline will be in hiring a new superintendent. Johansen said they will begin interviews the middle of April. There will be a selection committee.
Peacock asked there be teachers included on this selection committee.
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