Superintendent Davis presented four main points of discussion at a media briefing Tuesday afternoon. The first of these being the progress of the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) and Collaborative Teams working district wide. These PLCs are just beginning, but they have experienced two early out one-half days where students have been released early in order for teachers to meet together by grade level. Educators have been able to discuss and share things that are meeting standards or that are needed to meet the standards. The parameters are set at a district level but with flexibility for sight-based decisions. The end-of-term full-day release gave teachers the time to be trained in data processing programs as well as student tracking software. There will be testing conducted to determine the effectiveness of this program and the impact on student learning.
Supt. Davis also explained the “Our Schools Now” initiative that proponents are working hard to obtain the 113,000 needed signatures to get it on the ballot in 2018. If adopted, this would mean a less than half of 1% (.45%) increase to state sales and income tax, but would bring large revenues to education. Eighty-five percent going to public education and 15% to higher education. This would mean almost $1000 per enrolled student. These funds would be required to be spend in ways that increase student learning and could not be used for capital investments. The initiative will empower local communities to make funding decisions that are best for their students. The hope is that the required number of signatures will be gathered before the state legislature convenes in January of 2018. The proponents, business leaders in the SLC area, hope that students will be better educated and thus attract more businesses to Utah. Others feel that this will discourage business ventures in the state because of increased taxes.
Supt. Davis has scheduled a meeting with Tami Goetz, supervisor at the STEM Action Center. This meeting is to discuss the continuation of funding and sustaining the STEM programs in the district. Supt. Davis reported that Goetz is very supportive and praises the management of the grants received to fund the Robotics programs in Emery district. This program has grown very rapidly from about 17 at onset to over 200 now.
Supt. Davis also discussed the CTE Pathways in the district. These pathways help to ensure more young people graduate from high school prepared for college and well-paying careers. A grant of $55,000, in its second year, is dedicated to improve technology instruction both in capacity and infrastructure in Emery’s district. Professional development is also included in these funds. “School City” is a district wide software program that tracks students on all levels, and teachers are being trained to use it. The challenge with the CTE Pathways Grant is funding for structures, professionals, and equipment. Supt. Davis once again stressed his desire to work with economic developers in the county and local area. A Communications Committee is being established in the district to optimize social media.
There are three openings in the district. These include the librarian positions at both San Rafael and Canyon View Middle Schools. Diane Butler is retiring after 35 years of service to the district and Megan Durrant has taken the position as maintenance secretary. Also the district psychologist, Amy Bell, has resigned to take a position in Carbon School District. These positions are being advertised and interviewing will be imminent as the positions will be vacant as of the first of the year.