Larry Davis conducts first meeting as superintendent

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

Superintendent Larry Davis conducted his first meeting as superintendent on July 20.
The board approved names to fill vacant positions in the school district. Doug Johnson will be the Information Technology Education supervisor; Kacey Fluckey-Green River High Principal; Kelly Perkins-fifth grade teacher at Ferron Elementary; Jill Weber and George Ann Scottbus drivers; Dan Springer-Canyon View Junior High-CTE teacher; Carl Jensen-science teacher at Canyon View Junior High; Shaun Alton-head baseball coach at Emery High; Tom Hughes-baseball coach at Green River High.
The board approved the job description for the new position of supervisor of education technology. Board members were selected to be on committees for the school district. Royd Hatt will be on the technology committee. The state legislature approved grant money for schools to develop their technology programs.
The board approved the negotiated items with both the Emery Education Association and the Emery Classified Association.
The committee to work on the district three year calendar was selected. In 2017 the new three year calendar begins. The opening institute for teachers will be on Aug. 22 at 8:30 a.m. Board members are welcome to attend and Board President Laurel Johansen will welcome the teachers back for the new school year.
The board will be educated on the possibility of eliminating Sage testing for 11th graders and what this entails, both pro and con. This test is usually conducted in April and a decision will need to be made prior to that test. Marie Johnson will take the lead on this committee.
Dayna Terry, school counselor for Emery High discussed raising the graduation credit requirements. She requested the requirements for entering freshmen be increased to 28 credits. The requirements would increase by two requirements each year until it reaches 28. If a block schedule is implemented at the school the request is for the requirements to grow by two each year until it reaches 32. This is what Emery High is asking for.
The board approved these changes.
Jared Black, business administrator reported in the negotiated items the step and lane will be funded with a 1.5 percent cost of living increase. He said all the meetings went well and he appreciated the participation of the superintendent and the board members.
Jeneane Warren presented school lunch increases to the board. They have tried to keep the cost of lunches as low as possible while staying within federal guidelines. In 2012 the elementary lunches were raised by 5 cents and the secondary by 25 cents. The last time breakfast costs were increased was in 2003. The increased costs will add approximately $35 per year to a student eating each day.
Federal reimbursement helps run the lunch program so the program must operate within these federal standards.
Warren pointed out the lunches are a good deal. The lunch increases will be 10 cents per elementary and secondary lunches.
President Johansen thanked Warren for her work on the school lunch program.
Superintendent Davis recognized the district transportation department for winning a gold award for 1 percent or fewer defects during the annual inspection of district vehicles. The only thing found lacking in the entire Emery district was three clearance lights were out on buses in the fleet.
Emery students are being transported on safe buses. The board congratulated Roger Swenson and his staff on the award. Swenson said they are preparing for their next inspection on Aug. 16.
Health inspections also took place in all schools and usually some things are found that need improving. The Bookcliff Elementary in Green River had no violations. The board thanked Tyler Bastian for his work as custodian at the school.
At the SUU workshops there were four Emery district teachers there giving instruction to attendees.
Superintendent Davis has been visiting each of the schools in the district and meeting their staffs. He said there are many amazing repairs and improvements ongoing in the district over the summer to get the schools ready for the students return on Aug. 23.