On Wednesday, July 17, the Garfield County School Board met at Garfield Courthouse in the commissioner’s chambers.
Superintendent John Dodds acknowledged the service of several educators and staff by name who are leaving the district. Those included Shawn Caine, Phoebe Wiseman, Elizabeth Julian, Nina Brownell, Mrs. Hunter, Ms. Toronto and Melisa Chynoweth.
Mr. Prince, who is in charge of Adult Education Learners in the district, is in need of a learning space for those learners that he serves. Dodds told the board there is office space available for this purpose and the cost of the space would be covered by the state.
Next, Dodds highlighted some benefits of the administrative handbook especially in having consistent discipline through all the schools in the district. He explained the legislative burden that is coming down from the state level that he then has to update in the district policies.
He also gave an update on open positions in the district. Four positions at Boulder Elementary are still open to applicants, and Dodds expressed the intent of the district to keep the school open. Three other positions for district SPED, math teacher at Panguitch High, and secretary and Escalante Elementary are also open. He was confident these positions would be filled. He also expressed confidence in the enthusiasm of the district’s three new administrators.
Finally, the state is giving grants to incentivize schools to try the Lieutenant Governor’s new volunteer initiative called UServeUtah. The program seeks to incorporate service hours into students’ graduation requirements. Dodds is working on a way to incorporate the program into district culture.
The board then discussed the proposed change in school board meeting locations. Historically, the board has traveled to all communities for board meetings: four meetings a year in Panguitch, three in Escalante, two in Tropic, and one each in Antimony, Boulder, and Bryce Canyon City. The new schedule dictates that seven meetings would be held in Panguitch, with one meeting in each of the satellite communities. The goal for this change is to relieve district staff of travel time and extra setup.
Board member Ralph Perkins began the discussion by saying no one he spoke with cared where the meetings were held. He expressed a desire to relieve the district office and pointed out there is a Zoom option for participation. He believes Zoom accomplishes the goal of accessibility for people in outlying communities.
Perkins pointed out that most of the meetings when traveling are not held inside the school buildings, and having a consistent location is easier, more professional, and organized.
Perkins suggested the board commit to moving the meeting as needed should local pressing issues arise. He also expressed a desire for the board to not move the meeting from the third Thursday of the month.
Board President Jared Brems said he would prefer a more formal, centralized location. He wants to be seen at the schools and use the satellite visits to spend more time in the schools during the day.
Curtis Barney asked about the setup at the County Courthouse and satellite sites. They described how each school could set up a designated room for community members to attend remotely in the schools so that the public could still gather together and have access to the meetings remotely.
Board member April LeFevre pointed out the two original reasons for traveling were 1) to mend division in the district and 2) to get a glimpse of what was happening inside the schools. She also said that those she had spoken with didn’t want the change.
Curtis Barney said that those he spoke to preferred to attend over Zoom.
Myron Cottam said he would support the people who had contacted him and vote against the measure.
Superintendent Dodds chimed in saying that the satellite visits had limited attendance and there are challenges with setting up Zoom at a different location each month. He pointed out that the meetings would be more professional with the change. Dodds made it clear that the district office is happy to continue with the original schedule if that is the board’s direction.
Perkins moved to accept the alternate school board schedule. Brems and Barney voted for, and LeFevre and Cottam voted against.
The board passed the 2nd Reading of the Student Travel Policy, committed $2,000 to the Garfield Memorial Care Foundation, and approved the Early Learning Plan. Next month’s meeting is on August 22 in Escalante at 5:00 p.m.
– The Byway