The Canyons School District Moves from Year-round to Traditional Schedules

For SunCrest Residents in Jordan School District: you may be interested in this update, specifically the part about the schools changing from year-round to a traditional schedule:

Meeting Summary Canyons Board of Education
Feb. 10, 2009
Jordan District Offices

Four Year-Round Elementaries Moving To Traditional Schedules Next School Year
The Board of Education in Study Session directed the administration to move four year-round schools -- Crescent,Lone Peak, Oak Hollow and Willow Springs Elementaries -- to traditional calendars for the 2009-2010 school year. The board also hopes to move Sprucewood Elementary to a traditional calendar pending the results of an upcoming community facilities and enrollment task force. The Board’s action stems from enrollment data and an extensive study the Jordan Board of Education, of which four Canyons Board members are part, conducted about a year ago. Board members said the majority of parents in year-round schools have long supported a change to a traditional school year.

New Hires Announced
The Board approved hiring one principal and eight district administrators. They are:
Draper Elementary School Principal: Kenna Sorensen, assistant principal at Fort Herriman Middle School and former elementary school teacher; Director of Accounting & Budget: Leon Wilcox, Senior Accountant for Granite School District; Director of Nutrition Services: Sebasthian Varas, a Jordan District Registered Dietitian with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration; Director of Transportation: Kenneth Spurlock, Hillcrest High School Assistant Principal who has worked with the Utah Transit Authority and the Spokane Transit Authority; Director of Purchasing: Gary O. Hansen, Purchasing Director and Chief Procurement Officer for Granite School District; Director of Facilities (including Maintenance): Rick Conger, a Davis
School District Special Projects Coordinator and former Jordan District Director of Maintenance Services; Director of Technology Services: Darren Draper, Jordan District Technology Curriculum Specialist; Director of Technology Deployment: Dave Heywood, a Technical Service Supervisor for the company Edustructures and former Jordan District Computer Repair Technician; and Technology Consultant: Michael Wilkinson, a Project Team Lead, Senior Systems Administrator and Network Engineer for Spillman Technologies.

Boundaries, Busing Approved for Northeastern Cottonwood Heights The Board approved placing former Granite District residents within Bella Vista Elementary boundaries and offer busing for one year.

Student Recognition The Board honored the Hillcrest High School Drill Team, which swept the state championship, and Alta High AP History students who attended the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. Board, Superintendent Reports Superintendent David Doty reported on meetings with state and local elected officials. Board member Ellen Wallace reported on the Utah School Boards Association’s day on Capitol Hill, concerns about child nutrition and fitness detailed in a newspaper article, and schools honored in the news. Kevin Cromar reported on the USBA’s legislative day and suggested including honors programs along with gifted education in middle schools. Paul McCarty hopes to schedule a Digital Bridge board presentation March 3. Kim Horiuchi noted open houses scheduled at Butler Middle School Wednesday and at Bella Vista Elementary Feb. 18. Mont Millerberg praised new district hires.

Study Session
The Board received an update on legislative activity, and discussed how to select members of the enrollment and facilities task force; whether to change board meetings to Wednesday evenings so board members can attend Tuesday city- and school community council meetings; and whether to hire a project manager to help the
district ramp up for services.

--Jennifer Toomer-Cook
Communications Director
The Canyons School District