By Julie Johansen
Emery School District Superintendent Larry Davis presented several names for hiring approval at the recent school board meeting. The presented names and positions were as follows:
Christy Reed –Secretary at Cleveland Elementary
Julie Jones – Lead cook at Cottonwood Elementary, effective immediately
Bridgit Grimm – Kindergarten teacher at Cleveland Elementary
Lyndi Brady – Fourth grade at Cleveland Elementary
Jaime Anderson – Fifth grade teacher at Castle Dale Elementary
Linsey Hinkins – First grade Ferron Elementary
Terra Hurst – Route Driver
All these names were approved by the board for the 2017-2018 school year.
A new policy was also approved for students entitled “Bring Your Own Technology.” This policy outlined procedures and requirements for student use of technology in the school. Other technology acceptable use policies were revised for employees as well as students. These policies will need signatures from parents, students and employees where applicable.
Emery High School Assistant Principal Dean Stilson then approached the board with recommendations for increased credit requirements for graduation at Emery High. A lengthy discussion followed encompassing drop-out numbers, implementation dates and the effectiveness of the new 5×5 block schedule.
Board member Kenzi Guymon made a motion to table this item so that new board members could study these implications. But, because of the urgency for this approval, her motion was not entertained, because this study had been completed last July before the new board members came on board. Then, an amendment to try this on a trial basis and a review in a couple of years, also made by Guymon, died because of lack of a second. These increased requirements received approval and will not affect next year’s seniors but will increase by small increments each year hoping to reach the desired number of 32 credits by 2020.
School fees were also updated. Some athletic participation fees will increase, while other areas, especially in the new middle schools, will decrease, i.e., yearbooks.
Emery County Commissioner Keith Brady presented a memorandum of understanding to the board for the purchase of a Wibit at the Emery County Aquatic Center. According to Brady, 33% of the rental of this equipment will be given to the high school’s swim team as a fundraiser. These Wibits will be available at the pool only on certain days and the charge will likely be $5/day/person.
Superintendent Larry Davis also happily reported the increase of School Land Trust money. Each school will present their own plans for the funds with attached accountability.
Principal Jerel Loftley welcomed all to Cleveland Elementary. He announced the retirement of LuAnn Jensen and Theresa Jensen and informed all that Haylie Horton, Janet Ewell and Tina Allred will be transferring to the middle school. He also invited all to a talent show that took place May 19 at 9 a.m. for K-3 grades and on May 12 at noon for 4-6 grades.
Davis congratulated Cottonwood Elementary, who received $1,000 on May 17 for winning a contest with SITLA showing the use of their Trust Lands Funds. He also stated that they are interviewing for a kindergarten teacher at Book Cliff Elementary and for a full day music/art teacher at Green River High.
The transition of sixth and ninth grades was reported in the infrastructure stage, preparing the grounds for four new classrooms at Emery High. A recent school survey showed that students are most concerned about safety at school. Davis noted that a lot of attention is put on drills to ensure student safety.