November 17, 2009
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Board of Education
FROM:
David S. Doty
RE:
Superintendent’s Report—Information Item
Follow-Up from Previous Board Meetings
The status of items pending from previous board meetings is the following:
1. Revisions to Overnight Travel Policy: On September 15, 2009, we brought to the Board for a
first reading a proposed revision of the overnight travel policy which would expand the number
of overnight trips a school could take during any given year. Based on feedback from the
Board, we are still working on some additional revisions to that policy to address issues
concerning fundraising, mode of transportation requirements, and equity. We will plan to bring
this policy back to the Board for consideration in December.
2. Insurance Benefits/Healthy Lifestyles: Both CEA and CCPA have submitted the names of
employees to serve on a District Insurance Committee, and we have tasked Robert Reeder
with the assignment of convening this Committee as soon as possible to begin study of current
employee benefit programs, as well as healthy lifestyle initiatives that might be implemented to
reduce the District’s health care costs and promote better health among employees. We are
also proposing tonight the adoption of a new weight loss incentive program for employees
offered through PEHP.
Social Security Meetings
We held two employee meetings to provide detailed information to employees on Wednesday,
November 4th (Brighton High School) and Tuesday, November 10th (Jordan High School) from 6:30 p.m.—
8:00 p.m. Both meetings included presentations by representatives from the Social Security Administration
and Utah Retirement Systems which were well received by those in attendance.
We have posted information both about the vote and Social Security on the District’s Web site,
where it will remain until the vote on December 9th. We will continue to add documents to the Web site to
accompany this information, including a letter from me reminding people to vote and details about the
voting logistics once they are finalized.
School Faculty Meetings
As I did last year, I have scheduled a visit at every school to meet with the principal, faculty, and
staff to provide some basic information and answer questions. The format for these meetings has included
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a brief overview of key information about employment by Keith Bradford, including the Social Security vote
and identity fraud insurance/credit monitoring services, an overview of the District Office organization, and
a question and answer session. These meetings, which have been scheduled by our staff assistant, Laura
Kezerian Minson, and attended by me, Keith Bradford, Bob Dowdle, and the supervising K-16 Director (if
available), have been very positive and productive.
Thus far we have visited the following schools: Alta High, Alta View Elementary, Bell View
Elementary, Bella Vista Elementary, Brookwood Elementary, Butler Elementary, Canyon View Elementary,
Crescent Elementary, Draper Elementary, East Midvale Elementary, Eastmont Middle, Edgemont
Elementary, Granite Elementary, Indian Hills Elementary, Jordan High, Jordan Valley, Lone Peak
Elementary, Midvalley Elementary, Oak Hollow Elementary, Oakdale Elementary, Silver Mesa Elementary,
Sprucewood Elementary, Sunrise Elementary, Union Middle, Willow Springs Elementary, Peruvian Park
Elementary, South Park Academy, Brighton High, Midvale Elementary, Altara Elementary, Willow Canyons
Elementary, Canyons Technical Education Center, Ridgecrest Elementary, Mt. Jordan Middle, Albion
Middle, Midvale Middle, Park Lane Elementary, Quail Hollow Elementary, and Copperview Elementary.
We will visit the remaining schools by the end of the month: Sandy Elementary (November 18th),
Hillcrest High School (November 19th), Crescent View Middle (November 24th), and East Sandy
Elementary (TBD).
Report on Important Meetings & Activities
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On November 4, 2009, Director of K-16 Student Achievement (High Schools), Mary Bailey, and I
attended an Innovation Roundtable on School Calendaring hosted by State Superintendent Larry
Shumway at the USOE. The purpose of this meeting was to begin discussion of the possibility of
some type of 3rd semester for high schools that could be incorporated into the State’s Race to the
Top grant application.
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On November 10, 2009, Director of Career & Technical Education, Janet Goble, and I attended the
Wasatch Front CTE Consortium meeting at the Granite Technical Institute to hear presentations
from Salt Lake Community College and USOE CTE Director Mary Shumway. The Canyons School
District will host the next Consortium meeting in May.
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On November 11, 2009, I met with the Region 17 PTA Board and had a very productive meeting
talking about volunteering partnerships and other ways we can work together for the benefit of
CSD students.
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On November 12, 2009, Jennifer Toomer-Cook and I attended, together with Andy Boyce, a former
BYU football player and blogger for the Deseret News, an assembly for all 8 th grade students at
Indian Hills Middle School, at which we talked with the students about why writing is important in
our careers and how to become a good writer.
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Also on November 12, 2009, as a member of the Sandy Chamber of Commerce Board of
Directors, I attended the First Annual Titan Awards dinner sponsored by the Chamber. Honorees
were Bob and Randy Harmon (Harmons Grocery Stores), Scott Anderson (Zions Bank), Dave
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Layton (Layton Construction), Gail Miller, and David Entwistle (CEO, University of Utah Hospitals &
Clinics).
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On November 13, 2009, I attended, together with Board Member Kevin Cromar, Bob Dowdle, Mary
Bailey, Mike Sirois, and Jo Jolley, the 5A State Semifinal football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium
between Alta and Bingham. Even though Alta came out on the losing end, the players and
coaches represented CSD well and had a very successful season. I offer my congratulations and
best wishes to the Bingham Miners, who field a very impressive team, as they play for the state
championship this Friday against Davis High.
Commendation of District Office Staff
I wish to give special thanks and recognition to our outstanding staff in the Office of Public
Communications: Jennifer Toomer-Cook, Jeff Haney, Tyler Toone, and Laura Minson. They all work
tirelessly to provide accurate and timely information to the Board and employees; to promote the District in
the media; and to answer and respond to patron inquiries.
Regarding Jennifer and Jeff, this past week was an excellent example of what they do, as CSD
schools, employees, or students were featured in positive press stories every day but one. The energy,
passion, and credibility they bring to their jobs as the public information officers and spokespersons for the
District are exemplary in every way.
In addition, I hope the Board has taken notice of the polish, accuracy, and convenience that Tyler
has brought to our Web site in just a very short time. I have already received many compliments about the
Web site and I am confident that it will only continue to get better with more development.
Finally, Laura Minson has been extremely helpful to the Office of the Superintendent, assisting us
with budget reports, presentations, preparation of materials for employees, and responding to patron
inquiries. Beginning this week, Laura will be in charge of our main reception area at the Canyons
Administrative Building on 500 West, and will bring a new level of customer service to our front office and
hosting responsibilities.
Pending and Future Policy Projects
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Policy ICD—School Year Calendar Development
Policy on Employee Ethics and Adult-to-Student Relationships
Policy on Hazing and Bullying
Policies for Board Governance (By-Laws, Conflict of Interest, Agenda Setting, Organization and
Conduct of Board Meetings, etc.).
Formation of Canyons School District Foundation
Policy on Use of Cell Phones, Social Media, and other Technology in Schools
Policy on Religion
Policies on Civility and Public Engagement
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Upcoming Events
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November 18, 2009: Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors breakfast meeting,
Canyons Administrative Building.
November 23, 2009: Indigenous Day 2009, Utah State Capitol, 6:30 p.m.
December 9, 2009: Social Security election, all CSD schools.
January 7-9, 2010: USBA Annual Convention, Little America Hotel
January 8, 2010: George K. Baum Client Recognition Luncheon, Grand America Hotel, 12:00 p.m.1:00 p.m. (Please RSVP by Dec 28th to Kim Thornblad at 801-538-0351 or
thornblad@gkbaum.com).
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