By Julie Johansen
In the absence of Emery County School Board President Laurel Johansen, Royd Hatt called Wednesday’s meeting to order and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Casey Alton, baseball coach at Emery High, then requested the board’s approval to change venues for an out of state baseball tournament. This request was to change from Montrose, Colo. to Mesquite, NV. He stated the reasons for the change include cost, more games, similarity of opponents and the climate. The board unanimously gave approval for the change.
Next, several names were presented for hiring approval including Dani Tuttle – Huntington Elementary kindergarten teacher; Kent Nelson – Green River High full-time resource teacher; Shanda Winget – Canyon View Junior High full-time ELA teacher; Linda Nelson – Canyon View 2hr. sub/part time Child Nutrition Program; Sabrina Ungerman – Huntington Elementary resource aide; McKade Hansen – Huntington Elementary ELL aide; Jacquie Wilde -Cottonwood Elementary preschool aide; Dawn Winn – Ferron Elementary preschool lead teacher; Brindy Grange -Ferron Elementary preschool aide; Ashley Reyes – Book Cliff Elementary preschool aide; Cassie Thatcher – Cleveland Elementary class-size reduction aide; Shalee Bennett – Cleveland Elementary Trust Lands Aide; Angelina Behling – San Rafael Junior High Trust Lands Aide; and Lindsey Torgerson – Transportation aide on Castle Valley Center bus. All hires were approved.
Two elementary principals, Cottonwood Principal John Hughes and Book Cliff Principal J.R. Jones, then presented their new citizenship policies to the board for approval. Jones said their policy was to encourage academics and less time on behavioral issues. Hughes noted that they didn’t have a written policy in place to hand to parents. So, as a faculty, they had written one. The board encouraged emphasis on rewarding positive behaviors, which both policies have written in them. Both policies were approved.
Business Manager Jared Black reported about a punch pass that will be made available to faculty members to attend athletic events. This is being done on trial basis. Each activity will have a different shaped punch so that the funds can be directed to the right sport. He also invited the board to meet with the auditors that will be in the district office this coming week.
Cleveland Elementary Principal Jerel Lofley welcomed the board to his school and explained their Assessment to Achievement program. This program allows feedback to students and teachers. Faculty and staff are receiving training in this program. He said Cleveland Elementary has a 4 Rs Program for discipline. Right, Responsibility, Respect and Recognition.
The superintendent’s report then followed. Superintendent Larry Davis thanked Laurel and Julie for their help with the opening institute. He also noted that the transportation department had once again received a “Gold Award” from the Utah Highway Patrol following an inspection in August. He praised Tracy Rowley for his work and maintenance of the transportation fleet. He also said first enrollment, though not final, seems to be down only slightly. He said that with regard with transgender restrooms in Emery School District, it is still in litigation so no rule has been established. He also said that the new academic pathway to teaching requirements are being established by the Administrative Council. The Service Center has received full funding with a $60,000- $70,000 grant for two years.