Granite Park Jr. High PTA/Community Council
Meeting Minutes
January 21, 2014
I. Welcome by Principal Stirland
Danny Stirland called to order the regular meeting of the PTA, Community Council at
3:45pm on January 21, 2014 at Granite Park Jr. High, room 106.
II. Attendance/Introductions
The following persons were present: Carlee Johnson (Counselor), Michelle SchweissSterling (Parent/PTA President), Carmela Casteneda (United Way Coordinator),
Margaret Tuinei (Parent/PTA Treasurer), Jessica Madsen (Parent), Ali Yussuf (Parent),
Jeff Curran (LMETS/ acting PTA secretary), Aaron Wilson (Assistant Principal), Ryan
Shaw (Assistant Principal), Danny Stirland (Principal), Jessica Deneault (Secretary –
Minute taker)
III. Review and approval of minutes from last meeting
IV. PTA = Michelle Schweiss-Sterling – PTA president
Michelle is still looking for ways to get parents involved for the remainder of the school
year. Feels it is very important to have parents involved. PTA plans to be here for
Parent Teacher Conference and will set up in the cafeteria to drive membership.
There were enough PTA members present to officially vote Margaret Tuinei in as the
Treasurer. Jessica Madsen is willing to be the Secretary with Jeff as an assistant/backup.
V. School Achievement Data Share
Every percentage point students increase in test scores, shows the student learning.
When we measure how we are doing data is an essential piece. CRT’s (Criteria
Reference Test now being referred to as SAGE) are given for Math, Science and
English every spring. We are measured on growth and moving upwards. Growth is not
about test scores, it’s about the learning.
VI. 9th Grade Reconfiguration
Granite District has left it up to individual communities to put 9th grade in with the
High School. Next year, Kearns High will take 9th grade. Aaron did a research
regarding 9th grade in the high school.
According to research, is it better for 9th grade in Jr. High or High School?

9th grade have higher failure than other high school levels. 9th grade is the most
important year of high school.

12th graders claim they didn’t understand 9th grade counted towards high school
graduation.

Dropout rates are lower in schools housing 9th-12th grade and higher in schools
with 10-12 grade.

Transition is hard no matter when it occurs. It is especially tough for low social
economic status.

Students worry about how learning and socialization will be different.
Question and answer
1. Is the data national? Yes
2. Does the high school have the capacity to handle the influx? Yes, this is about
what is best for the kids.
3. Will this increase class size at the high school? No, the same formula is used for
FTE whether in high school or junior high school.
4. Does data represent SPED students? No, we currently do not have data specific
to SPED students.
We are just in the beginning stages of the process. The earliest this could potentially
happen would be for the 2015-2016 school year. We would need to have a decision
as a network (Granite Park, Bennion and Cottonwood) by June 1. At some point we
will survey all parents. We will also put together a list of frequently asked questions
to send out.
There are opportunities with “Middle Level Philosophy” – Not having to
accommodate for the 9th grade schedule. Most of the nation is 9-12.
Cottonwood network will be having another meeting regarding 9th grade
reconfiguration. Danny would love to have as many parents as possible attend and
represent Granite Park.
VII. Adjournment
*The next meeting will be February 18th at 3:30pm
Danny Stirland adjourned the meeting at 4:45
Minutes submitted by: Jessica Deneault