2010-11 Board Meeting Reports
Board Meeting Reports are short summaries of Board Business Meetings and Board Study Sessions. Official minutes, as well as agendas and recordings, for board meetings can be found on the Salt Lake City School District Board of Education page.
June 21, 2011 – Board Study Session
Consent Agenda
The board of education approved the consent agenda, which included contract agreements with district administrators and classified employees.
Student Achievement Plans Accomplishments
The board of education reviewed a list of achievements from the past school year related to the Student Achievement Plan. The bullet point list (a link to the list will be available in the official meeting minutes) highlighted significant achievements made by each district department. Board members and the superintendent said the list of accomplishments was impressive, and they thanked each department for the supporting the district, and more importantly, supporting the schools and students.
Board Goals and Priorities for 2011-12
Board members reviewed a list of issues they would like to discuss or learn more about in the coming year. The topics include, but are not limited to, federal School Improvement Grants, community support and engagement, evaluating the Board Handbook, and much more. The board will hold a day-long, off-site meeting next month to discuss some of these issues in detail.
Superintendent’s Report
The superintendent reported on a meeting with district leaders, the Lt. Governor, and several legislators. Dr. Withers said he was able to share many basic demographic facts about the district as well as emphasize some unintended consequences of decisions by the legislature regarding the distribution of at-risk student funding and online classes. He also congratulated East, Highland, and West High Schools for winning the Utah High School Activities Association sportsmanship award.
June 7, 2011 - Board Business Meeting
Consent Agenda
The board of education approved the consent agenda, including the negotiated agreement with the Salt Lake Teachers Association.
2011-12 Budget
The board approved the 2011-12 budget, which included $5.8 million in cuts.
During the 2011 Legislative Session, Utah’s K-12 education budget was cut 1 percent for the 2011 fiscal year, but the cuts to the Salt Lake City School District totaled approximately 2.3 percent. This was largely due to the fact that we receive a large portion of state at risk funding that was cut at a proportionately higher level. Because our student enrollment is not significantly increasing and charter schools and other school districts are, funds were also shifted to cover growth. In addition, the amount the district contributes to the Utah Retirement System for employees will increase by 0.54 percent for the 2011-12 fiscal year. This leaves the district with a 2.6 percent budget deficit for the 2011-12 fiscal year. The board addressed the cuts through a combination of increasing efficiencies, personnel cuts (through attrition), program/service cuts or modifications, and tax increases.
Grading Schools
Assessment and Evaluation Director Jo Ellen Shaeffer reported on the new law requiring letter grades for school performance. As predicted when the new law was introduced, the new grading system shows schools with large numbers of students with limited English proficiency or a large number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch received lower grades.
LAND Trust and School Improvement Plans
The board of education approved the school improvement/LAND Trust plans for each school, and the board members thanked the schools and the school support team for their hard work. The plans will be posted on the district website and school websites for public review.
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent McKell Withers reported on new administrative rules being developed by the Utah State Board of Education and told board members that Edison Elementary School will be receiving some federal School Improvement Grant money. He also reported a new plan to redistribute state at risk money may mean even more cuts for the district.
