Dec. 5, 2017 | Special Regular Session
Master Planning Consultant
The board met with Nick Salmon, founder and president of Collaborative Learning Network, who has been retained as a consultant to assist the board in developing a plan for its master planning process. He will identify the data needed for the planning process including enrollment, school sites, facilities, and funding; create a timeline; assess the feasibility of completing a master plan for bond election scenarios; identify key participants in the planning effort; and identify community engagement tools. This week, Salmon is touring all PCSD schools and properties to review current space uses and to meet with school leaders to establish key issues at each site. He is meeting with the Facility Committee to review the planning process and to identify community partners for the planning process and school success. He will present his findings to the board by Dec. 14.
Cell Phone Towers
Business Administrator Todd Hauber asked the board if it would consider installing AT&T cell phone towers at Dozier Field or on the side of the Eccles loft section. The proposed lease agreement could generate $1,000-$1,500 a month for the district. The board said it prefers to see more detailed renderings of what the cell phone towers look like before committing to the lease.
Transportation Update
Park City Municipal Transportation Planning Manager Alfred Knotts and Senior Transportation Planner Julia Collins shared updates about Park City’s Transit Tunnel and the Highway 248 project. They reminded the board that the city is designing and implementing an integrated system of trails, buses, roads, and alternative transportation options in an effort to providing transportation access to all residents and visitors, preserving our small-town character, and meeting the city’s net-zero carbon goals. Knotts said the city will continue its ongoing communication with the district as it moves forward on this project and others.
Human Resources Review
Following a recent review of the Human Resources Department, Associate Superintendent Tim McConnell presented the board with the department’s goals and action steps to address the findings. The review looked at the department’s branding, recruiting, screening, hiring, and onboarding. The department has adopted “Adventure Awaits in Park City School District” as its branding in all teacher recruiting and marketing. The district will take part in several presentations, college and university job fairs, and Education Week’s Virtual Job Fair later this Spring. It will also recruit dual immersion teachers through university DLI programs and career placement centers. The application process has been streamlined and the process for screening, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding new teachers is being evaluated and improved.
School Safety Review
–Superintendent Ember Conley said the district is holding additional safety training for staff, reviewing and updating policies and procedures, and studying vulnerabilities during an emergency. A districtwide lockdown/lockout drill is planned for Dec. 15, with law enforcement, to practice emergency response procedures. She plans to conduct similar drills monthly on a districtwide basis. A tabletop active shooter drill is planned for Feb. 26.
–Dr. Conley has been in contact with school safety consultants to help the district determine best practices. She hopes to have a request for proposal sent out to potential consultants before Winter Break.
– She has met with a vendor for a cell phone booster for schools that have “dead spots.” All intercoms have been checked and four have been repaired or reconnected.
–Construction is underway on the elementary school front office vestibules. The work should be completed by the end of the Winter Break.
–A Safety Sub-Committee recently met to review Visitor Management Systems, and a recommendation for an Emergency Management system will soon be recommended.
–Board President Andrew Caplan urged the Superintendent to retain a security expert/consultant to help guide the district on its safety improvements.
– Board members Petra Butler and Anne Peters suggested an interim fence for portables until fences are installed later this Spring.
Student Appeal
The board reviewed a student appeal and voted to revoke the suspension, per Policy 10100 – Safe Schools.
Policies for Posting
–Policy 7025: Personnel Records
–Policy 7035: Scope of Employment and Use of Weapon
Policies Approved
The board approved revisions to the following policies:
–Policy 7085: Employing Licensed Staff
–Policy 7160: Orderly Termination
–Policy 10001: Bullying
–Policy 10026: Home School Dual Enrollment
We should NOT allow a cell phone tower on our school grounds. It’s unsightly and could obstruct views. Additionally, it can impact health.
We need to revisit start times . I am going to suggest we consider putting students from different grade levels but same campus areas on buses together. The buses are empty and the start times for TMMS and HS are atrocious. Parents who have both a TMMS student and an elementary student have to juggle work, driving across towns to campus etc.
Additionally, we could mandate sections of the bus to separate different ages if that’s a concern.
The schedule for 8th-12th grade is challenging for many working parents as well and we all know the research on how it impacts the adolescents and their sleep/health/study habits.
I would also like to request that we consider making the TMMS campus and high school match the early out days. Early out on Monday’s makes no sense for the students or parents. They won’t have that much homework, won’t be tired from the week or in sports etc. It would make more sense to have one of the following if it can’t follow the Friday early out:
1. Late in on Mondays.
2. Early out midweek for extra homework time, rest etc.
I have not been able to attend board meetings but would like these items considered. Please let me know if there is a better more appreciated way to bring them up.
I know that this was put on hold for grade realignment (start times) but not sure why we can’t go forward now.
The Board is waiting until its strategic plan and master plan are further along.
Excellent points here.