Superintendent Report
Superintendent Jill Gildea shared accolades student and staff have received since the last board meeting. She showed Ecker Hill Middle School’s overview of its School to Watch national redesignation and congratulated the school on this prestigious honor.
Dr. Gildea addressed concerns some parents have regarding standards-based learning (SBL). She said SBL has been talked about in the district since 2007, and schools need an aligned system so they can yield the best results for students.
She outlined the three pathways necessary when shifting to SBL: changing the paradigm, building the foundation of standards-based grading, and shifting the report card to reflect a standards-aligned reporting system. The junior high and high school years will secure a letter grade and a GPA as part of their mastery transcripts. The Superintendent said this practice is accepted by colleges and universities globally.
This year 23 educational leaders and nine parents have donated their time, suggestions, learning, ideas, and input in order to fully develop an implementation timeline. Superintendent Gildea said work will continue through the 2021-22 school year to clearly identify pathways and proficiencies for students. Dr. Gildea said there will be ongoing research, input, and implementation planning, and community education around the practice, aligned systems, and college admissions throughout the next school year.
Master Planning
Chris Guarino of NV5 and Christine Richman of GSBS provided the board with an update on the Future of Learning master planning process. GSBS is in the process of finalizing the Education Specifications, Facilities Master Plan, and Facility Condition Assessment. The consultants also reviewed the recent grade alignment survey results. Guarino said the survey had some common themes and the results will be helpful to the board as it evaluates its next steps.
The survey findings include:
– Preschool/early learning students housed in their neighborhood elementary schools: 68.6%
– K-5 grades in elementary school and 6-8 grades in middle school: 51%
– 9th grade at the high school: 84.9%
– Grades 9-12 at one high school in current location: 54.1%
– Did overall cost influence your decision: 2.68 (scale of 1-5)
– Parents: 87.6% of respondents were parents
The board will discuss its next steps and critical priorities during a special work session on June 4. The full presentation can be viewed here.
Calendar Survey
Superintendent Gildea noted that 56% of those who responded to the district’s calendar survey said they are satisfied with the district’s current calendar. She presented tentative versions of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 calendars. Calendars can be viewed here. The board will take input and vote on the calendars at its June 18 meeting.
Mental Health Month Resolution
The board adopted a resolution recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Park City School District. The board encourages students, families, and employees to take the opportunity to learn more about improving mental health and prevently substance abuse.
Joint Use Agreement
The board approved a joint use agreement between Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District and Park City Municipal Corporation that provides recreational facilities and programs which are best served through a joint, cooperative and consolidated effort.
Patron Comments
The following individuals addressed the board on the topic of SBL:
– Student: Emily Campbell (Ecker Hill Middle)
– Parents: Julie Engle, Meg Leaf, Ken Canada, Brent Milner, Phoebe Hailey, Lauren Anderson, Glen Anderson, Jenny Campbell, Amy Neff, Lara Lusher, Lizzie Brenkus, Laura Tettelbach, Chris Campbell, Shannon Schemmer, and Molly Campbell
– Educators: Austyn Borjigin (McPolin), Laura Starley (Ecker Hill Middle), Elizabeth Hensler and Shannon Jones (Jeremy Ranch), Principal Roger Arbabi (Park City High)
Board President Andrew Caplan said the district is moving forward and working to improve the overall education for students. He reiterated that the board has hired district leaders from top performing districts and schools because they are progressive, highly qualified academic leaders who wish to raise the level of achievement for Park City schools to be not just the best in Utah, but among the best in nation.
Policies for Posting
– Policy 4006: Cash Management
– Policy 7030: Employee Suggestions and Complaints
– Policy 7055: Jury Duty or Witness in Court
– Policy 7060: Sick Leave Bank
– Policy 7090: Substitute Teachers
– Policy 7130: Sick Leave Incentive
– Policy 7150: Contract Status for Newly Hired Classified Employees
– Policy 7155: Classified Staff Promotions and Transfers
– Policy 10001: Bullying
– Policy 11001: Title I Parent Involvement
Policy Adopted
The board approved revisions to Policy 5000 – Snow Days, with an amendment to add the word “essential” to B.2.
Budget Hearing
The board adopted the FY19 Revised Budget, and approved the FY20 Preliminary Budget. The FY20 preliminary tax rate was approved, which amounts to an increase of $11 per $100,000 home, or $20 for $100,000 on a secondary home or commercial business The public can offer comment on the tax increase at the district’s Truth-in-Taxation Hearing on Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. at the District Office. View the Preliminary Budget here.