School board honors retirees/cross country team

The Emery County School Board held their December meeting at San Rafael Middle School. The school board recognized the boys cross country team. The boys recently won the 3A cross country championship. Coach Kristy Guymon said, “We’ve had a really good boys team the last several years. This year we are in 3A. At the end of last year we evaluated the team and our chances to win a state title. We realized we could win the state title and Richfield would be our toughest competition. Every time we raced against Richfield in the regular season they beat us. I told them it all comes down to heart. We are going to give up region to take state. We trained hard for the state final. When it came down to the end Richfield and Emery were tied. It came down to our sixth place runner, Chase Christiansen. He is normally our top runner, but he was able to beat the time of the sixth place Richfield runner. It was seconds, but it made the difference in winning the state title.”
Seven runners were given individual recognition at the meeting: Tanyon Allred, Bryar Meccariello, Griffin Livingston, McKay Meccariello, Ty Funk. Mason Faimalo was recognized, but not present.
Superintendent Larry Davis recognized two long time employees of the school district. Mrs. Irene Allred and Mrs. Dianne Butler. “The ladies have a combined 70 years of service to the school district. They have given far more than we can ever recognize. Mrs. Allred has been the maintenance secretary. She is dispatching the resources and getting things done. Most of what she does goes on behind the scenes. There is a lot of training and certification that goes into the maintenance secretary job. Irene has been able to keep up with the constantly changing regulations and we are going to miss you.”
Superintendent Davis spoke about Mrs. Butler, who is retiring from the San Rafael library. He said, “When you look at the San Rafael library you think of Mrs. Butler. You have turned it into an amazing library. You have kept up with all the changes in technology. Other schools are using your model of the readers club to get kids to read.”
Principal Doug Mecham thanked Mrs. Butler for her dedication to San Rafael. The students made a quilt for her made from several San Rafael t-shirts.
Superintendent Davis submitted Megan Durrant for approval as the maintenance secretary. There were 30 applicants for the position. There will be some openings at the middle school libraries to be advertised soon.
Rob Murray of the robotics club requested travel for the students. There will be a few overnight stays for competitions. There will be chaperones and boys and girls will be separated according to their ages. The transportation is paid for by a STEM grant.
The school board approved the travel. The robotics club continues to grow. We are now up to 250 kids.
The board approved changes to the landtrust amendment at San Rafael.
Luci Robinson presented the comprehensive guidance plan and program to the school board.
 There is a state review every six years and we are due next year. The review looks over assurances and standards. This year sixth and seventh graders were introduced to different careers on career day. We are doing a food drive at the school. We have held resiliency training for the students.
Principal Mecham gave the principals report. He said, “Good things are happening at San Rafael. We have a rewards program for the students.
“Students get BARK cards for good behavior and drawings are held throughout the year.
“We started a freedom wall last year as part of our 40th Veterans Day program.
“The intramural sports programs are going well. We recently held a checkers tournament. We have a wonderful staff here at San Rafael.
“We have 60 Chrome books. We are training on the School City program. Thanks to the school board for the technology they provide.”
Superintendent Davis noted, on Dec. 19 SITLA will be at Emery High to honor Sen. Hinkins for his support of public lands and the SITLA program.
All of the schools have provide a list of how they will use the Our Schools Now money, should it be on the ballot and passed.
 If passed it could equate to $1,000 for each student. They are working on signatures. The goal is to have all of the signatures by the legislative session.
Book Cliff Elementary will be released from turnaround school status.
We appreciate all of the work Principal Jones, the teachers and everyone at Book Cliff have put into being released from turnaround status.
We are working on a different way to recognize students, who receive state and national awards and recognition. Right now the students are recognized at the end of the year by their respective schools.
The next school board meeting will be on Jan. 10 at 5 p.m. at Green River High School.