001I'd like to welcome everyone to this meeting of the Canyons District Board of Education. Today is December 13th, 2022, and we're meeting at the district office located at 9361 South, 300 East in Sandy, Utah. I'd like to welcome not only those of you here in the room with us, but those of you that are joining this meeting via the live stream. Thank you for your patience as we are a few minutes. late in starting, but we will move on to the first item of business is to approve the agenda for this evening's meeting. And I will ask for a motion. And in making that motion, I just would like the board to note that we will not be having any item number three. We don't have any of those student and employee recognitions for tonight.
002So in May. Making that motion, please note that on the record. So is there a motion to approve the agenda? I'll make a motion to approve the agenda for tonight, December 13, 2022, omitting the recognition section. Okay, thank you. Is there a second to the motion? I'll second it. Thank you. Any discussion to the motion? I'll just clarify that the recognition section is item number three. Thank you. All right, we'll call for a vote. All in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that motion passes. Thank you. Next, we will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Dr. Brian McGill, Director of Student Support Services. And please recite the pledge after me. Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic
003for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. So the next item will be the patron comments. And we've had a few, and I have three individuals have signed up. to address the board. And before we turn the time over to the patrons, I'd like to read a few instructions. The board often designates time to listen to the patrons of the district. Patron comment time is limited to residents, taxpayer, students, and parents of students and current employees of the districts. Patrons may provide board members with written documents. These documents should be submitted to the board secretary at the meeting. Cindy's over here or emailed to the Office of Public Communications by noon of the day following the board meeting. The time allotted this evening will be three
004minutes per individual. And it is the board's practice to listen and take notes during patron comments. The Board of Education does not discuss matters that are not on the meeting's agenda nor engage in public comment on individual students to protect their privacy or employee issues. If a patron wants to comment on a district employee's character, professional competence, or mental or physical health, the board requests that those comments be submitted to the board in writing. However, if the patron determines to verbally comment on those personnel issues, the comments need to be civil and refrain from personal attacks, insults, and defamatory or slanderous comments about an individual. The Board of Education would like to make it clear that critical race theory is not part of the curriculum being used by Canyon School District. There are no plans
005to incorporate it into the curriculum or instruction. The Board of Education values input on all sides of issues to maintain decorum and respect. We ask that those in attendance refrain from applause or other types of demonstrations during patron comment time, as well as throughout the meeting. And so with that, the first individual that has signed up to address the board is Karen Pedersen, who will be followed by Courtney. By me and Nakas. And please correct me when you come up, Courtney. Please correct my pronunciation. I apologize. And then Rachel Dias-Fato. So with that, we'll turn the time over to Karen Pettersson. I think that's on. Yes. Okay, good. I'm Karen Pedersen, the newly elected board member representing District 5, but my term does not begin until January. However, I would like to address the board
006concerning this sensitive materials review policy that you may be voting on in this meeting. I'm appreciative at how much time and effort has gone into improving this policy. Each draft has made significant improvements. It follows legal guidelines and allows for due process using input from both parents and educators. I do have a concern that has not yet been addressed. As it is currently written, there is no provision to permanently restrict access to a book at the school level. Parents are concerned that a book that has descriptions that caused it to be reviewed, but yet is put back into circulation, would still expose other students to objectionable content. A school-level permanent restriction could be determined by a school community council reviewing data from the original review. It would then reflect the values of that specific community.
007Now, I want to clarify, I do know that there is a committee at the elementary level that reviews it originally. This is in addition to. So after it's gone through its first review and it's found to be able to be put back on the shelves, it hasn't matched all the criteria. I would like to see that instead of putting it right back on the shelf, that it remains on the restricted. shelf, wherever that they've determined that to be, and that the school community council would then review the notes of the review committee and then decide as a community, does our school at the elementary level want to restrict, or even middle school, I suppose, at any school, want to restrict that book for just that school? Parents already have the ability to allow their individual
008child access to the book with a restricted access form. I feel it's better to opt into access of a book with sensitive topic material than expecting parents to know the content of all our library books and to have to opt out. It's less intrusive that way. This protects the rights of all our students in our school libraries without putting the burden on our parents. I'm just looking for a way to be able to keep. The discussion as low as possible at school level and be resolved before it has to go through all the district processes. I know we have to have those steps in place, but I want to make sure that we have a chance to go through the school process thoroughly. My other concern is that our community may not be aware of
009the costs of these book challenges. So far, it has cost the district $800 per book. So far, $1,600. having done two books so far. Reviewing a book is not done during contract hours, so it does not distract from serving our students. It is a time-consuming process. A stipend is paid to our teacher librarians to complete each book review. However, be aware that this is time away from their families, and we're trying to reduce the pressure on our teachers. This is an important policy and we should be able to use it but I'm hoping parents will be conscious of the time and money used in how many reviews and challenges are submitted. Thank you. Thank you. Courtney? Hi, Courtney Vamianakis. It's just straight across. Thank you. I kind of want to dovetail off of what Karen
010was saying and I think in the third reading that you guys are going to do today with... The school reading and the material selection. My biggest concern is opening up the possibility of a review for 10 items per person. And it's a limitless, limitless rolling 10. To me, I read an article in KSL about a Granite School District, one single couple that had submitted 158 books to be reviewed. Just that one couple. Just because there aren't 158 parents, there's... on the other side of that issue, it doesn't mean that they don't exist. And I think that allowing a continual running 10 for any individual person is just way too much significant power in a small, tiny community like ours. It also, it... It takes away any way to have any kind of transparency because what
011organization could continually publicize a running 10 from every person that's submitting 10 at a time? Once one comes off, I can always go on to another one. I can always go on to another one. There's no way for transparency there because that's not a maintainable number. I think that... All of the action items that you guys have created are great, and it makes sense to review books. I think that a limit of two per person per year is solid where it's at and doesn't need to be opened up to give people control over our librarians' time and energy away from their families. Thank you. Rachel DeOtavato. Hi. First, I want to say thanks. I think you guys all do a really great job. I'm just kind of now getting into how all of our school
012district functions, and I'm grateful for the time. I can't even imagine. I want to say similar to Lane. I just don't think that I love what you guys have done. I think our book should be reviewed on a more regular basis and looked at. I would love that there be a little more transparency. The committee involving two parents, aside from a challenger. I think would be really beneficial. It would probably be even more beneficial if you could have two parents who maybe stood on opposite sides of this discussion so that you could have a better representation of opinions. Different parents believe different things in regards to what might be good and beneficial and not. But 10 books. per person per year just seems excessive and demanding of our librarians time and other people who would
013be involved in these committees. It's we're grateful for everything they do do and taxing their time just doesn't feel I feel like we could be more productive with two per person per year. Yeah, that's all. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, that concludes our patron comments. for this evening. And we thank those that have come and addressed the board for your time and for your thoughts. Okay, next on the agenda are the consent items. So I will ask for a motion and please in making that motion, read off each of the consent items as listed on the agenda. I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. A, approval of minutes for December 6, 2022. B, approval of hiring termination reports. C, approval of purchasing bids. D, approval of student overnight travel. And E, approval of
014November financial reports. Thank you. Is there a second to that motion? I'll second that. Thank you. Any discussion to the motion? Seeing none, I'll ask for a vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? That motion passes. Thank you. Okay, next is new business item 6A, policy update, policy 300.07, student conduct on buses, and policy 600.06, school library materials selection and review. These are up for a third reading with action requested. I will turn time over to Jeffrey Christensen, assistant legal counsel. Thank you, President Tingey. Just before I begin, my extended family has been sending around dad jokes at this time of year. And in the spirit of Mont's red suit and the holidays, what kind of suits do lawyers wear? Lawsuits. There you go. Yeah, I won't quit my day job. Members
015of the board, it's good to be with you this evening. Before I begin, it's been a pleasure to work with Steve Wrigley. And Clarine, you've always offered difficult questions for me to answer. It's also been nice to serve with you. But one thing that I can say about each of the board members is they're dedicated to doing the best for Canyon students. This is a very challenging issue that we're once again confronted with in our policy update. Let me begin just by reviewing the student conduct on buses. At our last meeting, you requested that we just revise some language that was identifying where we had listed the district. We put more specificity into who will be notifying the parent and legal guardian in those issues, which is specifically the Department of Transportation. There were no
016other changes to this policy. And I can answer questions to this, but in my mind, I think we addressed most of the questions in our last meeting. This will be for third reading action requested. Any questions on the school conduct and bus policy? So, Board, any questions or anything come up since our last meeting on this one? No. Okay. Thank you. I'll turn now to the school library materials and selection review. I wanted to begin before going into the updates for this evening to go back. It's been a number of months since we've looked at the introduction and the philosophical statement of the board policy. And I wanted to just reference the language there. In provision three in the philosophy, it says the Board of Education recognizes school boards have broad discretion in the management
017of school affairs and the selection of library materials for school libraries. The Board of Education adheres to constitutional and First Amendment principles that do not. permits suppression of ideas in school libraries. Similarly, the board recognizes students do not shed their constitutional and first amendment rights of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate, and that the school library offers a place and opportunity for students to remain free to exercise their intellectual freedom, the right to read, inquire, study, and evaluate outside of the school classroom. At the same time, the board of education is sensitive to the reality that a school library is distinguishable from a public library and a classroom because of the unique role of the instructional program and its primary support, the equitable access to information and education of minors. In this policy, we're
018trying to balance at a public entity the right of students to access information and at the same time work at the education of minors. That is the public's charge. This policy is not intended for any specific group. It's intended to govern the public system in a public school district, not private interests, but the public school system. What I want to do now is reference all the sections in the policy. As the policy was developed last year, we spent significant time looking at the acquisition process. Our board received a list, and as many boards have done in the state, of a list of books that were of concern. And that list exceeded 100 books with concerns. As you look at the slides I've posted, at that time, our district... reviewed our policy and made some changes
019so that we would then have three levels of review if someone were to request a review of a book. And also, we made a provision where a board member or administrator could request the review of a book. And that's what went into place in January of 2022. Later... As this issue has continued to surface in our state, across the state, HB 374 was passed, Sensitive Materials in Schools, which was signed by the governor on March 22nd and was effective May 4th. Following those meetings, our policy committee met again and added the statutory definitions for sensitive materials, adjusted timelines to protect committee members and confidentiality. Later, then we had the Attorney General issue an official memorandum regarding these issues. And then later, we also had the requirement for LEAs to adopt a policy regarding these issues.
020As the policy committee reviewed our policy in this time period, we addressed each of the following sections. One of the issues that was revised was the selection of library materials. which updated the provisions for selection criteria. Given the fact that there were on our shelves in our library's books that may run afoul of the sensitive materials criteria in state law, we looked at the acquisition criteria. and modified that to include the provisions of age appropriateness, as well as how to support multilingual students, as well as supporting advanced learners and students that enroll in college courses with that criteria. We also added provisions for deselection of library materials to make it more explicit in the policy. Libraries as part of their library professionals as part of their job are consistently in the process of weeding materials
021and deselecting books. But we added those provisions to the policy. And then we added the challenge process as well as a district level appeal. And those were the provisions that were in place up to the most recent revisions that we're bringing forward this evening. The timeline, I won't spend a lot of time here other than to illustrate that from the time the policy was adopted, we have done nine district level reviews, five titles were retained and four were deselected, five school reviews and five were retained. So to clarify, at the time when the policy was adopted. We have not had anyone enter the district challenge process. We have only had requested either the district level review, which is an administrative review requested by a board or an administrator, or a school level review. Of those
022that were reviewed, five were retained, but we have yet to have a challenge. Until, yeah, Gretchen informed me this afternoon where an email has come in. I have not confirmed that, but Gretchen is informing that there may be one at this point. Thus illustrating that a policy at this point has only, in my mind, only had half an application thus far. What I want to review now is some of the updates that are in this section of the policy for consideration by the board. And specifically, I want to start by looking at, I should have graphics here. Let's see. I might not have the graphics. So wait just a moment, board members. I know that you have graphics in the materials in hard copy. So while we're trying to solve that technical issue, what I
023want to begin with first is what I'd like to do next is discuss the policy from the perspective of a patron, recognizing, again, this is a public process. to review and balance the constitutional issues regarding library materials and also recognize that library materials are self-selected. These are not part of the district standard curriculum. We do have librarians that manage school libraries and students can go in as part of that process, but the school library is functionally different than a public library. Materials can be accessed there in the school library. That's not part of the curriculum that the board approves in board meeting, but we do have those materials are selected through our board process. While that graphic is coming up, as you can see, I don't know that you can see it on board docs,
024but board members, I hope you can see it. Let me explain that there are essentially four paths that a patron can look to engage in when there's a concern about a library book. The first one is they can contact the district and they can initiate essentially going to the catalog and speaking with a librarian and requesting that their child not be able to check out a particular book. That's initially any parent can go approach the board. And that's an exhibit that is currently contained on board docs. So that's one level. The second level is the sensitive materials review, which allows a patron to request that the book be reviewed for sensitive materials as outlined in state law. There are two components to a sensitive materials review, as we discussed in the graphic in our last
025meeting. Have I got the slide yet? I can do another JAD joke. Go for it. All right. So why does Cinderella have trouble? I don't I don't remember it. Sorry. That would have been better than the joke anyway. Yeah. Sorry to make you all wait, but these graphics are very instructive, and I think it will help to answer some questions. Let me then, I guess, go to the second point. In the sensitive materials review, you're trying to accomplish two objectives. One, there is a quick review to determine if it does not meet state statute. And sensitive materials has been defined by our legislature and has been approved as sensitive materials, which defined is identified as pornography. Then, because we're a public entity and if you remove something from the shelf, students still maintain their constitutional
026rights. They don't shed them at the schoolhouse gate. You must do a constitutional analysis regarding these materials before they're off the shelf. We there yet? I'm getting excited. There you go. Can we, Derek, can you blow it up at all for me? Is that all we got? Well, I'll try to speak to it. Essentially, you can see, are you a parent or student at a school where the title can be accessed? So your first question, if you're going to address these issues regarding library books, if you're a general member of the public and you don't have a student that attends schools, this is not your process. This is only to deal with books that are at our schools. Then there's essentially four processes that exist in policy to address a library book. Number one, I've
027already addressed, which is you may. initiate an individual student restriction. The second one is a sensitive materials review, which then is you're reviewing for initially the state law regarding sensitive materials and pornography. And then the second half of the sensitive materials review is a constitutional analysis looking at federal law regarding issues of obscenity. And that is the process of a sensitive materials review. This is the sensitive materials review in a nutshell. From our last meeting, let me just quickly look at this graphic. As we reviewed this, as you can see, there's a one, two, a three, and a four. And the only changes we made from our last meeting is we made a separation from one, two, and three, and four. due to the fact that in our state statute regarding sensitive materials, one of
028those four prongs under the statute requires that you also do a request or determine whether or not the book has serious literary, scientific, political, or other value. And as noted in our previous meeting, these are aligned with the questions as they are outlined in statute. We discussed in our last meeting issues of Mr. Miller with a double negative. We kept the language as you indicated because it is consistent with state statute. And our librarians that are responsible for the sensitive materials review screening have been trained on those issues. Now I'm going to look at the challenge process. One of the revisions that was already in the policy that we've made more explicit since our last meeting is that any parent can initiate a challenge, whether or not they've engaged in the individual student selection or
029whether they've engaged in the sensitive materials review. You may initiate at the challenge level. And that is now more explicit in the policy as well as in this graphic. What the challenge process does is that is at essentially a school level and the sensitive materials review is embedded within the challenge if it has not already been conducted. To a point made early in patron comments, as we drafted who will sit on the selection committees that review both the school and the district level, they're selected from. I'm just going to the selection committee language. The school committee shall include a school administrator, a licensed teacher, a teacher librarian, or the district library media specialist, as well as two parents or legal guardians. But the selection of that committee is pulled from our, sorry, I'm just looking
030for it. They're pulled from school members that are part of the school community council. or other volunteers at the school, as well as at the district level. Yeah, and it's also as well outlined in one of the exhibits. So the point raised by Ms. Peterson earlier, the members of the school community council potentially would already be potentially who we would be selecting from as part of that group at the school level. As well, in the policy committee, we addressed at what level we felt permanent restricted access should occur. And that is only at the end after a challenge has been conducted and the district has then reviewed the policy. Again, once again, we are looking at at a school level, you would be permanently restricting that book. potentially at the school, if you were to
031do it at the school level, and based on the policy, that restriction would then funnel in to automatically in the policy built in is if it's deselected at the school level, you are going to engage in the full district review to determine whether or not it is applicable at other schools. So there's a safety valve. I think the last thing I would like to just address is if any of those options make someone uncomfortable about moving forward with a concern at the books, we have the individual patron, a sensitive materials review, the challenge. Then if no, then they can contact a district level review, which they contact either. You can contact your board representative. or a school board or a school board member, and then that can initiate a review. The other piece I wanted
032to do address that was raised earlier is we had, I've had discussions about the number of requests that have been moved from, which was originally only two reviews to now 10 active sensitive materials reviews. Given the fact when the policy committee met that we have received lists of books that exceed We're close to 100. There is the potential where we may have on our shelf a material that may run afoul of the state statute. We can't go in as a district and immediately remove those from the shelf without running afoul of the constitutional principles of removing books from schools. What we can do is engage in a sensitive materials review and determine if it should be placed in temporary restricted access. And then the final point is the reason we recommending 10 active requests is
033so that we can move through those books that may have issues from a state law perspective in a more expeditious fashion. There is the concern whether or not that would be a Herculean task for our librarians. It was noted earlier in our meeting that the cost that we have spent on the library policy. I don't have exact figures, but $16,000, but that does not. in any way, shape, or form, address the hours, the countless hours of the policy committee, the superintendent, general counsel, legal counsel, librarians, and a significant portion of our district time. To date, we do have now a challenge. My recommendation to the board and from the policy committee is that policy, in my opinion, needs to be approved so that we can engage in the process. I think we have listened to
034the public. I think we have addressed individual concerns of parents. We've addressed the concerns that need to be addressed by a sensitive materials review. We have a challenge process if someone is dissatisfied, and we have an appeal process to the challenge. If I'm a little bit exercised tonight, it's because I've spent considerable time on this process, and I think it is sound. And I think I can with full confidence recommend this to the board from a legal perspective, as well as having considered the issues from the public. My recommendation is that this policy be approved, that we move forward. And as needed, we come back and address concerns that will eventually come regarding this policy. I would like to now answer any questions the board members may have. Thank you. Questions, board? Questions? Comments? I
035don't really have any questions, but I'd like to make a motion we accept the policy as amended. Okay. A motion is in order. Okay, wait a minute. I just want to give a little instruction here. We do have to expand that. Well, we do have two policies, policy revisions that have been regarding library book challenges. Well, and there's the other policy about student. Okay. All right. Okay. I'm going to look at my agenda and I'm going to read this is why I don't ever make. Okay. Yes. Emotion is in order. Okay. I would like to make a motion that we update policy 300.07 student conduct on buses policy and policy 600.06 school library material selection and review. And I want to second that. Okay, thank you. We have a motion and a second. Is there
036any discussion to the motion? Mrs. Nybar? I just want to mention I'm very pleased with the policies it stands except for one concern, and that is I do wish we did have a third option at the school committee review process that a permanent restricted access could also be one of the options. I feel that the local school community may answer that question to the number. I think five or six on our diagrams here that if the material in the book is patently offensive to the community, I believe that that... may differ depending on individual school communities. And I do feel that the USBA model policy does state that it would be appropriate to have a permanent restricted access for any individual school setting. So I do feel making a small change there to allow for
037a permanent restricted access at the school level would fall in line with USBA model policy. I feel that in a school committee setting, If we look at, if it fails the Brightline test as to state statute 1227, and the answer is yes to all of those first three questions. And if it's yes, that it's patently offensive as it stands right now, if this, if that book satisfies some interest that minors have in sex and that it has literary merit, it would still rely, it would still remain on the shelf. So my concern is that parents, their concern is that there'll be books on the shelf that kids can stumble upon that have. offense of illicit sex in them. And as we've gone through the process this last year of the books that we've reviewed, more
038than half of them have remained on the open shelf. And of course, we talked about how they can be challenged, but I just believe having a third option there might be a good idea because maybe there's some of these books, some of these books, even common. media and other organizations have age levels to them. And some of them are 16 plus and 17 plus. If it was a restricted access and you had parent informed consent with a signature, we could be refraining from having those books to younger than the recommended age for the audience. So that's my concern. Thank you, Mrs. Schill. So, Ms. Neibauer brought this up at our last meeting. So, I'm just wondering, as a policy committee, did you discuss this? And what happened? Yes. The concern of adding restricted access was
039considered at the school level. The discussion, as I recall, and I'm only one of those that sit on the policy committee, this is my recollection, is we discussed... the valve that is already in place once something gets on the shelf if that were to occur. So if you do, for instance, have a book that contains one or one, two or three or fails or is contained sensitive materials, and then looking at the book in five or six, if the library And then looking at those questions, we're to make a determination that the book is to remain in circulation. At that point, in our estimation, because we have the challenge process where if a parent is dissatisfied, they can pursue that process. And then also, we also have in place that once the challenge occurs, if
040that were to fail, that it is automatically taken to an appeal process. And so. We also felt in terms of looking at the school, our communities, in my mind, and I may have a differing opinion, this is not law, of course, this is one person on the policy committee. I do think our communities in our south end of Salt Lake County, there is some diversity. I do not think that based on our communities that there is. not mechanisms in the policy built in so that we are at a school level, removing a book from circulation and requiring a parent or legal guardian to that point, have it in permanent restricted access. My recommendation is that's reserved for the full district is the public entity addressing that concern. Could I hear from the board members, the
041other board members on the policy as well? I'm on the policy committee. Actually, permanent restricted access at the school level was in the policy in one of the renditions and then was removed. So a few weeks ago, that was part of it. And then it was removed. So I wasn't in favor of removing it. So as far as the history of that. The other thing is, my concern is, I feel like we're putting a lot of responsibility on the parents because the parents then have to follow through with the challenge. And I feel that. It stands to reason that if we go through this process and a book fails the Bright Line test and then it ends up remaining on the shelf, I just feel like we're putting a lot of onus on the parents
042rather than making sure we're doing our due processes and we're following things. I think there's a paper trail that says, oh, actually, it failed all of this. That's my concern also. It failed all this, but we answered yes to six and seven, and then it's back on the shelf. I think that can be concerning. Just a reminder that we have a motion on the table and it's been seconded. So we need to keep that in mind that we are discussing the motion. So a board member has asked for further kind of clarification from the policy committee. Mr. Wrigley, did you have a comment? Yeah, just in regards to the 10, from my understand, that would quickly under the Sensitive Material Act, it doesn't take very long to do that. And that would answer the question
043from the legislature as to whether or not that meets that sensitive material stuff. Yeah. And that would put it under access. Yeah. In the policy, the first part, not the complete sensitive materials review. But the first part, as outlined in the graphic, is to be conducted within a 10-day period to place it in temporary restricted access if it has sensitive materials, and then complete the full review. And that, outlined in the policy, the full review should be conducted within 45 days. unless we receive sufficient requests that the librarian reaches out to the superintendent designee to address time constraints. So the concern is, is that we have books on the shelf allowing 10, though it may be a large number. It makes it where we're able to take a look at sensitive material possibly brought up
044to our attention to see quickly if that's the case before it goes through the rest of the process. Yes. And that was based on the number we came up with was based on given. the list that was provided to the board of books regarding with concern. So if it's gone through the whole process and it's found to be, I guess it takes the book at a whole and it goes back on the shelf, it then goes through the challenge process. If initiated by a patron. And that is at the school level, correct? Correct. The sensitive materials review is a standalone process. As indicated in this graphic, the sensitive materials review is a separate process from a challenge. A book could be challenged for issues other than sensitive materials. And so if the challenge goes through
045and it's found to be true, so it'd be pulled from the shelf, it automatically then would go to the district on a district review? Yeah, it will go to the district review. If deselected as part of that challenge process, any material deselected will go to a district review to determine if it should be deselected from other schools. And that would assure that the rest of the schools in the district do not have that book. Correct. If that's the case. If it's not, we had some conversation that it could be restricted possibly by the district level or grade level. In other words, only seniors and juniors. Is that in the policy at this point? So currently, as the policy is drafted after the district challenge, so if you're looking there, there's a there's a very at
046the very bottom of the middle graphic where it says challenge. If you disagree with the determination at a school level, you may do a district level appeal. That committee then would have the ability to determine whether to. deselect the book, retain it, or make recommendations regarding appropriateness and parent legal guardian access at the district level. So that sort of addresses some of the issues then in regard to this book going back because it's gone through a full appeal process. It's got to stay in court. And it could be restricted. I do not agree with restricting at individual schools. I think once we do that and they go, that becomes a whole thing. Why even go through the process if an individual school, especially after the district has gone through and made a determination that they
047could do that. So I think it's, I think that's, we talked about, and I think that's why after all of that process. There were so many levels. I wish I had in criminal court as many options as they have, this book has, you know, in our district. So thank you. Okay, thank you. Further discussion to the motion, Mrs. Arnold? I was actually going to tell you what happened at my doctor's office the other day. They gave me three words and asked me five minutes later what the three words were. I could only remember one. So then they left. They came back and they asked me three more words and I could remember two. And she said that I could pass with two, knowing two words out of the three. What does that have to do
048with any of this? A lot. So we now have not only one, everybody. paper to explain things to us. We now have two. We passed the test. I really feel like, Mont, that we should just go forward. There will be some little thing that's going to happen. We'll have to figure it out, and we might have to change it. But we've been doing this a year to 14 months, and it needs to stop. It needs to be put to order. It needs to be put to test, and we just need to go forward. Thank you. Thank you. Any further discussion to the motion? Okay. Before I ask for a vote, I just want to also express my support for the work that the policy committee has done. And yes, it's not perfect, but until we
049can go through it, as has been said. I think we've done a pretty good job, as Mr. Christensen said, about taking into consideration public input as well as the legal concerns. And I fully support the revisions of this particular policy as well as the student conduct on buses policy. So with that, we have a motion and a second. And I will call for the vote. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That motion passes. Thank you. Thank you, members of the board. Okay, next. Next on our agenda, we want to take time to recognize outgoing board members, Mr. Steve Wrigley and Mrs. Claraine Arnold. I will turn some time over to Jeff Haney and Kirsten Stewart from Communications. President Zini, we're here tonight not just to conduct the public's business, but
050also to recognize the service of colleagues and friends. Tonight, we honor the outgoing members of the Canyons Board of Education, Mrs. Clarine Arnold and Mr. Steve Wrigley. Now, it's hard to believe after all of the marathon meetings that we've had in this room, but we have arrived at the final agenda item for the final meeting for Mrs. Arnold and Mr. Wrigley. And we did it before 10 o'clock. Exactly. Clarine and Steve, you'll no longer have to look at the clock on the wall to see if you'll get home before midnight. You'll no longer receive messages at four o'clock in the morning from the administration letting you know if it's going to be a remote learning day. And no longer will you have to suffer through emergency management team meetings. But the work and the service
051of these two board members helped them get through all of the challenging parts of being a board member. No matter what we faced, we could always count on Steve and Clarine to have positive attitudes and give us reminders about how every decision the board makes affects the classroom. Now, it's been said that a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. And in the time that Clarine and Steve have been on the board, they've taken their special light, the special light that makes them such amazing individuals, and they have shared it with so many others. Mahatma Gandhi once said, the best way to find yourself. is to lose yourself in the service of others. Now, I'm wondering if they ever thought they would lose themselves in the crush of emails and texts and phone calls from
052constituents, particularly during those very turbulent COVID years. No doubt they found strength in themselves, perhaps strength that they didn't know that they had. by their service with us on the Board of Education and in the administration. So please turn your attention to the screen to see both Mr. Wrigley and Mrs. Arnold in action as members of the Canyons Board of Education. Bringing something we must learn and we are meant for us most to grow if we let them and we help them in return. Well, I believe that, but I know I'm who I am today. Like a cloud as it passes a sun, like a stream that meets a bowl through the water. A round of applause for Mrs. Clarine Arnold and Mr. Steve Kidd. Looking at those photos, Steve, I don't know if you
053remember when you and I were at the Bear Park, I think it was, for eight hours handing out materials talking about the bond campaign. We literally stood side by side, nonstop, hundreds of flyers we handed out that day. Yes, it was a very warm day. While we're here to honor both of them for their contributions, individually, they have contributed so much. Now, by no means will our remarks be exhaustive tonight. We could not possibly list everything they have accomplished here, but we will do our best to let the world know what they have done. to further the cause of Canyon School District, which is to ensure that every student graduates career and college ready. Now first, we'll spend some time thanking Mrs. Clarine Arnold for her contributions over two terms on the Canyon's Board of
054Education. At President Tingey's request, we have arranged for awards and gifts. You'll see that we have some flowers and we have some gifts over here. And President Tingey also has a crystal award. But also, President Tingey has asked us to put together a list of what Clarine has accomplished during her time on the board. Mrs. Arnold is known as the voice of the teacher. Always reminding us how educators will be impacted by boards initiatives. She is no nonsense, straightforward, tenderhearted, and doesn't hesitate to share her smile with someone who looks like they may need one. In recognition of her extraordinary service, the Canyons Board of Education and Administration honors Mrs. Clarine Arnold, who has served as a duly elected member of the Board of Education since she was sworn into office eight years ago. Mrs.
055Arnold has served on the Board of Education during a period of change and growth. Canyons District is the first new school district to be created in nearly a century. And Clarine was a big part of that change and the growth. As a member of the Board of Education during a change of leadership, she played a major role in the national search for top-tier candidates to serve in vital leadership posts, including the post of superintendent, leading to the hiring of Dr. Rick Robbins as Canyons District's fourth-ever chief executive. Mrs. Arnold also supported innovations designed to inspire high levels of student achievement and has always served as a full-throated advocate for teachers during her time on the board. Mrs. Arnold also is known to always support education support professionals, commenting often on how they were the backbone
056of schools and the schools can ne'er open nor operate without their hard work, dedication, and professionalism. She was one of the board members who strongly supported a proposal to increase teacher salaries to among the highest in the state. This has allowed us to attract new teachers while rewarding long-time teachers who have provided valuable service to the district. She voted for a tax increase for teachers so that Canyons teachers would start at $50,000 a year as they came out of school and also supported initiatives so that veteran teachers would receive a double-digit pay bump as well. Clarine endorsed a successful 2017 bond proposal to build and renovate schools in every corner of Canyon School District. The $283 million bond issuance has led to improved schools in every city and township included in Canyon's boundaries. During Mrs.
057Arnold's tenure on the board, Canyons has emerged as an innovative and responsive district that leads the state in academics, arts education, and athletics, even during the COVID-19 years when schools operated under severe wellness restrictions. She was also an advocate for vocational training, such as Canyons Technical Education Center, and always a supporter. of our alternative and adult high schools, Diamond Ridge and Entrada, the schools that give those important pathways to graduation for non-traditional students. For all these reasons and many, many more, the Canyons District Board of Education and Administration honors Clarine Arnold for her terms of service to the Canyons School District community. President Tingey, I understand you would like to present some things to Mrs. Arnold. Yes, and before we do that, maybe I think some of us have a few words we'd like to
058add to those that you've already said. So I'll ask Superintendent Robbins and then Mr. Wilcox, and then we'll start with Mrs. Schill and just work down the line. Thank you, President Tingey. First, I just want to congratulate Clarine on a great run. And I've only known Clarine since the beginning of the pandemic. So it's a pretty remarkable relationship. And all the things that were said are true. And she is an example to all of us of what true servant leadership really is and means. And for me personally, in the last two years, when I lost my mom, she probably doesn't want me sharing all this, but she really did fill part of that void in my heart. And I'll always be grateful and wish her the very best in her future adventures and all that
059she does. And I've actually seen... Clarine in the classroom as a teacher. And if you think she's an amazing board member, which she is, she's even double that as a classroom teacher with kids. And that's what she's all about. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, I want to echo those. I've always viewed Clarine as the big sister I never had. So thank you so much. She's been such an example to me. She's always brought the teacher perspective that we always needed on the board, as we discussed, because that is really where it happens, the teachers and our students. So thank you for always bringing that to our attention in every discussion. I also want to, you know, Corrine is always asking about all our employees, our teachers, first and foremost, but she's also concerned about our
060ESPs, our administrators. She's always asking about our bus drivers, our food workers, our facility workers, our custodians. Of course, we're fortunate to have Brooke and Jeff, two of our children working for us. So thank you for that. And, you know, finally. You know, one of the things that makes Corrine so special is she's always caring about others. Every time she comes to my office, the first thing she always asks is how your family doing. And that really means a lot. So thank you so much. We're going to miss you. Wish you and Matt the very best moving forward. But please come back and see us. Thank you. Okay. So Corrine and I met when we were both running for office. And I will say that forged a really strong bond between the two of us.
061Sometimes it really felt like it was us against the world. And then shortly thereafter, when we got elected, we went through boundary changes. And we both, we called each other. We're like, I can't believe we just went through all this. And now we're going through this. It's okay though. We. We have a close friendship and we don't always agree, but I always really do appreciate her perspective. And she has so much compassion and love for others and for students, for teachers. She always cries at meetings and I never cry. So it always makes me feel bad, actually, that I don't cry. She's also just very sincere and humble, but not afraid to speak her mind and stick up for what she thinks is right. And lastly, she's just all about students. She cares so much
062about them and always keeps them in the forefront of her mind when we're making decisions. And I really appreciate her friendship. And I hope that we're not strangers, that she comes back. We're going to miss you. Thank you. At the heart of everything Clarine does, it's all about the kids. And my very favorite thing to do is to hear about her classroom experience with her kids because her eyes light up and her face lights up and you can totally feel how much love she has for her students and the kids. And it's very meaningful. In Clarine's very humble way, she always provides a very wise perspective, a classroom teacher perspective, and she asks great questions. And I just really appreciate all of the comments she makes. I feel her just so valuable, and I'm grateful
063for her example of kindness and compassion, and especially for the kids. I've had the opportunity to know Clarine for these many years as a board member. She's always from the very start, ask questions and wanting to know and sharing things. And I am the board's counselor. So, I mean, it's always been really touching to have, other than mom, to be able to share personal things and to be able to support her and the Stroud-Hunter relations. She's gone through a lot during the time on the service and the board, but all the time she continued to give to the school district and to her students, despite all the challenges that she was going through at home. I know that was a difficult decision for her to decide not to run, but I think it was the
064right decision. It'll give her an opportunity to move on, to do better things. So I love you. Take care. So I'll take my turn now too. And I've been thinking a lot and serving as a member of a board of education, it's a unique form of public service. You're elected, you're an elected official, you're tasked to be a representative and a leader and a colleague. And clearing has been all of those things. And after eight years of serving alongside clearing. I've been reminiscing on the many experiences and things that we've shared and the things that I've learned from this amazing woman. I want to just express three quick things about Clarine. Clarine shines, as has been mentioned, shines a light on the nearly superhuman strengths and abilities of teachers. She consistently reminds us of the
065importance of providing supports for teachers. And then it has also been mentioned, Superintendent got to go in person, but Clarine often figuratively brings all of us into her classroom as she shares the experiences and thoughts from her students. And this constant reminder of the role of the classroom in the decisions that we make has been so helpful. And then finally, Clarine has a heart that... opposite of the Grinch. It's three sizes too big. And getting bigger, the more you get to know her, you realize how much she loves and she has dedicated her life to her family, her friends, and her chosen profession as an educator. And I consider myself very fortunate to have known her and to... witness her amazing passion and dedication for all that she does. And I, I wish you all
066the best. And I'm so grateful for what you've taught me and for your service that you've given to this community. Okay. So we had a few months, I guess, to know that this was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier. I've been reflecting on some of the attention that Brene Brown has brought to the whole. word of vulnerability and how that is actually a strength to be vulnerable. And I feel like you actually really embody those principles. You are not afraid to express your heart and your soul and your motivation behind why you do things. And that is a fundamental strength of yours. And I think it serves as an inspiration to all of us. You understand the human side. And you always keep us centered and focused on who the real customer is,
067and that is the student. One of the things I really love about Clarine is that in the midst of us talking about statistics and progress and achievement, she always reminds us of the importance of joy in the classroom. I know that's something that you provide your students and that you earnestly want for the kids. within Canyons and that you've never backed down from the need for them to have hands-on joyful learning experiences that bring them back to the classroom again and again and again. The other thing that I really appreciate deeply about you from a personal perspective is the compassion you have for those with disabilities. As I've grown to know Clarine over the years, I'm actually blown away by everything that you have accomplished. educationally and otherwise, despite some of the learning challenges you
068had growing up. And to me, it served as a remarkable inspiration for me with my own son and for what is possible for kids in the situation everywhere. You are unbelievable in that way. There have been literally hundreds of moments where I've thought I've understood what needed to happen in a situation, only to hear your honest perspective as one in the trenches, and my opinion changed completely. And yet you do this without coercion and without manipulation. It comes from a place of complete, genuine care, and it inspires me every time. They often say a soft answer turneth away wrath. And I think you embody that. You have something in you, the softness and the goodness and the sincerity that really impacts someone who has a strong opinion. It softens and allows people to really hear
069what you have to say. I'm really going to miss you. I'm going to miss having another advocate who really believes and loves the arts as much as I do. But I know that no matter where you are, you're going to bless the lives of people that you're with. Our loss is their gain. And I'm excited for you. I told her earlier, I said, I hope you use the extra time to go and do something fun. But I have a hard time believing that she'll do that because Lorraine's form of joy seems to be giving over and over and over again. So I really appreciate you and thank you for everything you've taught me. I'm going to start out with a comment that, Clarion, I know this is about you, but I'm going to throw Steve
070in the same basket at the same time. You look at me and you may not believe it, but I've run a lot of races. I've watched my daughter run marathon after marathon. I've watched my grandkids and I've worked with them. I've coached Little League baseball and I've watched kids run to first base. And in all of those cases, the thing that I've noticed and the thing that is the hardest to coach a kid to do is don't stop running until you've crossed the finish line. To me, that is a sign of great integrity that I've watched both Steve and Clarine after the election, after Clarine had decided she wasn't going to seek reelection, to keep their foot on the gas pedal to the finish line. That is so much integrity and it is so such
071a great thing to do. A few months ago, we had, I feel like I'm in school here talking about a change in the seating arrangement in the classroom. But we redid some how we were sitting here as a board. And Clarion had always been clear over there. And it's a whole new perspective when you get to sit next to somebody. And you can maybe make sure your mic is turned off and maybe say things that you otherwise wouldn't say. And can I tell you, it's just been so much fun to sit here and chat. And as I've had different people move into that chair, it's been fun. And I'm so grateful, Clarine, that you moved over here and that I've got to know you better. The thing that I will say, and you've heard others
072say it. Clarine is an advocate, first for the kids in her classroom, second for her fellow teachers that she works with. And she advocates very, very strongly for the teachers in our school district as well. And the one thing I would say is if I was a bad guy and I was looking for a school to go to, and if I walked into her room, I know that I'd get a baseball bat right in my forehead. Clarion keeps a baseball bat behind the door in her classroom in case some bad guy comes in to harass her kid. Is that right? You've crossed the finish line, at least this finish line. Keep running in the direction you choose to run. But so grateful that we've spent the last, I guess, half dozen years. And I'm glad
073that I came back to get to know you. Thank you. Oh, so, so with that, we do have some items to present to Mrs. Arnold. We have some gifts. Oh, I, I jumped the gun a little bit. Sorry. Do you want to do that right now or do you want to do it after you get your present? Oh no, I want to, no, I'm good for now. Okay. I've quit crying for a moment, so we're good. We're good to go. All right. So I wrote my speech and I like rewrote it a couple of times, but I want you to know those little twins that were up there with me, if you noticed them with my, my husband and my two daughters, one of the daughters now works here as a CAF. Is that how
074you say as a custodian? Anyway, she's out at her school tonight doing things that she's supposed to be doing. Anyway, those two little twins, I said to them, I take them camping every summer and we would go camping weeks on end, like go out a week, come back a couple of days, go out a week. And I said to them, the day will come when you'll be too old. And you'll say to me, grandma, we're too old. We have boyfriends. We have to go to work. or we have to get a car. So last summer, I was planning the summer and got a new trailer. We're so excited. We're going to go out and go camping. And Caitlin says to me, Grandma, I'm so sorry, but I really need a job so I don't have
075to ride the bus to school. I guess we're too old. It was a heartbreaker. All right, now for my talk. Eight years ago, I ran for Kenyon School Board, believing I was going to change everything. the countless wrongs that was going on that I heard about and had seen and talked to teachers about. And I soon learned that it took, it takes board meetings, three board meetings actually, up to two months of discussions, hours upon hours of reading documents, and a few hundred questions before the vote is taken by seven people who may or may not agree with what you and your view is. So what really happened is I am the one who changed. I have become a better person after learning to listen to students, parents, constituents, employees, and board members. You have
076shaped, rearranged, and altered my thinking with patience, understanding, honesty, and knowledge. Your compassion and dedication matched mine in wanting what was best for every student with every discussion we had. I feel that we have been triumphant in our decisions as a board and a district, and I'm talking to all of you out there, no matter what job you have, that we made students and we still make students always come first. With all my eight years of experience and background on the board, I'm not talking about my 30 plus years as a teacher. I'd like to share with my newly elected board members some advice. So looking out there, where did he go? Oh, there you are. Okay. All right. So here's my advice. You should pull stories out of your hat to explain your perspective
077like Munt. Just like Munt. You should communicate with your constituents day and night, night and day, probe, canvas, question, change and rearrange statements to get clarifying answers just like Holly. You should be a two for one just like Amber. Be on the USBA board and the Canyon School Board, gaining double the knowledge and having insight to double the trouble. You should fight tooth and nail for the rights of the special needs students, advanced students, have arts integrated across the district to help develop the whole child just like Amanda. You should sit very, very quiet, take notes, direct and redirect the board to guide them through the massive hours of discussion, then be able to summarize that. those hours of discussion into one or two sentences and then give the superintendent direction, just like Nancy. You
078may want to follow Steve's wife's advice to shorten our meetings, have less committees, and abridge our discussions so that you can get home before 10 o'clock, just like Steve. You may want to enjoy the district budget as much and learn to tell dry jokes, just like Leon. It's imperative to be just like Rick. Follow his example. Train yourself to hold a straight face when you really want to laugh out loud or yell at someone. You should write amazing speeches just like Kristen and Jeff. They make you look good. You may want to once... but only once. Burn the candle at both ends for 24 hours a day for 45 days, just like Charlie and Susan during legislative session. But I'm telling you, it's only once. You may want to become skilled in explaining the law
079and policies so that even a child, which would be me, can understand the laws and policies just like them. You should not, here's my only not for you to, ask Cindy to copy board documents for 192 meetings and put them into binders for you so that you can highlight them, write questions in them, just like Clarine. By the way, those 192 binders have been used by Jordan School District, the kids in my classroom, just so you know where those binders went. Okay. Now the last but not least, new board members. We change up every two years, and the people sitting around you right now are there forever. And we come in with attitudes that we think we know everything. I did. And I'm going to quote Jeff. He said, always find out why the farmer
080put up the fence before you start tearing the fence down. I would suggest that you show. trust and respect for all the amazing employees at Canyon School District. I never tell Jordan that this is my favorite because they're going to be here. They were here before you. They're going to be here after you. And all they really want is what is best for kids just like you. That's all they want. And I promise you that if you follow my guidelines and the things I've asked you to do, not only you, but my board members. You'll be a perfect board member, just like me. Let's give another round of applause for Mrs. Arnor. And now we recognize Mr. Steve Wrigley. Now, what can we say about Steve other than he may be the most relentlessly positive
081person who has ever existed? He is dogged in his service, always willing to consider every perspective. a cheerful face at the end of every long or heated debate, and a leader in every sense of the word. His influence on this board and his participation in the decisions that have been made will be felt by generations of students in Canyon Schools. In honor of his extraordinary service, the Canyon's Board of Education and Administration honor Mr. Steve Wrigley, who has served as a duly elected member of the Board of Education for the past 12 years. His time on the board also has been marked by growth and change. Over his three-term tenure on the board, Mr. Wrigley has had the distinction of serving with every superintendent ever hired to lead the Canyons administration. and has been part
082of national searches to hire two chief executive officers for the district. Mr. Wrigley became a member of the board right after the successful 2010 bond election and when Canyons had just started in earnest its ambitious school improvement plan. And since that time, since he's been a part of the board, He has helped oversee the completion of nearly 20 projects promised to the Canyons community at the passage of our bonds. And that includes the 2017 bond proposal, which was approved by the canyons community by nearly 60% of the votes. This $283 million allowed canyons to continue building and renovating schools all across canyons, including the new Glacier Hills Elementary and their new Peruvian Park Elementary school communities that Mr. Wrigley has represented with fidelity. Among the achievements of Mr. Wrigley's time on the board is the
083drive to increase teacher compensation. In the past six years, the salaries of teachers in Canyons District have increased $20,000 a year, making Canyons one of the most attractive districts in which to work. Mr. Wrigley also was a member of the board when Canyons District put into place the Landmark Grade Reconfiguration. Ninth graders joined high schools and sixth graders moved to middle schools to improve academic achievement and give students support, the support they needed to prepare for college and careers. This has led to historic rises in academic achievement in Canyon schools, including increased high school graduation rates, which have hovered at 90% for several years, including during the COVID-19 years. Mr. Wrigley's leadership on the board during the tumultuous pandemic years also should be noted. Mr. Wrigley served multiple terms in board leadership, including when Canyon
084schools were forced to pivot suddenly in March 2020 to remote learning and then return in fall 2021 under COVID-related restrictions and protocols. The Board of Education's measured and balanced approach to education During this time, eventually became the statewide standard for school operations and led to minimal drops in achievement for Canyons District students. Mr. Wrigley was a vital part of this. It is for these reasons and many, many more that Canyons District applauds Mr. Steve Wrigley and his service on the Canyons Board of Education. Now I assume, President Tini, the board members also would like to reflect on their time with Mr. Ray. Yes, yes. So we'll start again with Superintendent Robbins and then Mr. Wilcox, and then we'll kind of come this way, starting with Mr. Millerberg and on down the line. Thank you, President
085Tini. Steve, thank you for your service on the board. Definitely a servant leader, as mentioned, like Clarine, you as well. I want to just add to a few comments that Jeff made. Steve is not only a servant leader, but he's a present leader. And what I mean by that is many times when I'm out visiting schools, Steve will send me a text and ask what schools I'm at. And no matter what his schedule is like. He's made time to go with me to visit schools and I can't tell you how often when we're in schools how appreciative our teachers and our principals and our staff are to see Steve with me, not just there to observe but really there to understand and to be present in what our teachers and our staff are going through.
086As mentioned, he's a very calm and thoughtful problem solver. And I actually remember the very meeting in the superintendent conference room that we developed, conspired, whatever you want to call it, our own COVID response metric that Jeff mentioned was adopted by the state later. And Steve played a big role in that. And I think throughout the pandemic. his calm, consistent presence made a difference in the decisions that we made. And lastly, Steve is a visionary. He is Canyons. He's been here from the start. And I remember the very first few months I was here, even when things were at their worst when it came to the pandemic, Steve was always looking forward. When are we going to get to a strategic vision? When are we going to think about what our next steps are? What's
087our next game plan? What's it going to look like in 10 years, 15 years? And he was always very passionate about getting that in place. And I just think that's a job well done. On a personal level, he's been an amazing friend and mentor to me. And on his time often. asking when can we go to breakfast or when can we have lunch? When can we just talk? And the first thing he always asks is, you know, how are you doing? How's your family doing? How are things going? And he reminds us all, and he's always been an advocate for mental health and wellness, but I, you know, almost without fail each and every time that I meet with Steve, the last thing that he says is, Hey, take care of yourself, take care of
088yourself so you can take care of others. So. Steve, appreciate you. Thank you for your dedicated service and wishing you all the best as well in your future adventures. Thank you. I want to go back to September of 2013. Steve was the person who made the motion to appoint me to be the business administrator for the Canyon School District. I don't know if you remember that, but I certainly remember that. And I'll always be grateful for your confidence in making that motion. Long line that Rick says Steve has, it brings a very unique perspective that he's always forward thinking, but is always going back and trying to learn lessons of the past. And there's not very many people who have that ability. That's something I call wisdom. and something that I really admire about you,
089Steve. You're always asking really thought-out questions. You're always pondering on every topic that we discuss. I don't know how many notebooks you have there that you've filled up over the years. It's got to be in the dozens. of every topic you're just heavily invested in. You've done such a wonderful job for all the students and teachers of Canyon School District. I'm going to miss going out and seeing tours with you on buildings. I'm going to miss our NSBA and USBA luncheons that sometimes just you and I had together. So thank you for everything that I've learned from you. It's going to be difficult because I can't, most of us around can't really remember canyons without Steve. You've been here 12 years. And so basically since the start of the district, best of luck to carry
090on yourself and your family moving forward. But again, please come back to see us again. Thank you for everything that you've done. Thank you, Mr. Millerberg. I'm sure Steve will remember this because it's just last week. walked in before board meeting and he was sitting at the table in the study room and I put my reach down, put my arm on his shoulder. And I said, Steve, I'm going to miss you. And he looked at me kind of with a questioning look and said, why? And I told him, I said, Steve, for the most part, you and I are polar opposites. You see one thing, I see something else. And that kind of sounds like something that would be an adversarial type relationship. But I appreciate so much having somebody to argue with. It's that
091polar opposite. I like to argue. He doesn't really like to, but he will. He will argue with me. And that is not a negative in any stretch of the imagination, because I feel like as we disagree and we discuss. We maintain respect and we vet out the weaknesses on both sides. As a board of seven, we come to better resolution. If we don't disagree with each other from time to time, and when I say you and I argue all the time, that's probably what, 5% of the time. But I appreciate very much you being a worthy opponent to stand up and... support what you believe and also give me the respect to let me stand up and support what I believe. And somewhere we meet in the middle and we both give and take and
092come up with a better solution. And Steve, I want you to know that I feel your pain. One of the most miserable days of my life is when I watch myself lose re-election. for the school board, but also make you a promise. You will fill that time and you will fill that with good stuff and your life will be good. And so we will miss you. You've contributed a lot. Like I said, I personally will miss you, but go have a good life now. Not that you haven't had one already, but keep it up. So I'm at Steve on the campaign road. We were in White City, and he had these amazing pamphlets with all this information on. And I had a little teeny piece of paper that said, please elect me. And I really
093felt a little inadequate. But he was very kind, and he said, you know, I found the best way to win is just walk. And so I want you to know he's the reason I lost a lot of weight. The two times I had to run for the board because that's exactly what I did. I walked and it's all his fault. So I'm going to put the blame on him. And then, Steve, I love how you always help us focus, like coming back to the most important question or coming back to solutions and not problems. Instead of letting us sit here and talk about problem all the time, you're always looking for the solution and asking for clarity and understanding. I almost fought you. I would have physically fought you for the EMT committee position because
094I just wanted to have safety for the kids. And then Steve started telling us all that he, you know, he's on the police department, working on their right. fireman and I'm thinking oh my gosh he has so much more knowledge and background than I do I don't even know what I'm fighting for but I still I still fighting for it and we still stayed on it for all these years um Steve's always fighting for the emotional mental needs of all doesn't matter who they are I have called him sometimes about my own children's problems. When you have nine children, there's got to be problems, right? And asked him for his advice, and he's been kind enough to give to me. Other times, he has given solicit advice and sometimes unsolicited advice, but I want you
095to know Steve has never charged me for any of that. Steve, I'm going to miss you. I really am. I don't know how you're not going to charge me when I call you about my kids, but we'll work that out later. Okay, bye. So I'm sitting here looking at Carrie and I'm thinking you got to be a little bit excited. 12 years is a long time. In fact, I did the math. 12 years ago, my eldest child, I had a six-year-old, five-year-old, three-year-old, and I was pregnant with my fourth. Life has changed a lot in 12 years and you have left a legacy that's really benefited my family. And I want to thank you personally for that. My earliest recollections of you were years ago. when parents in my community had a major concern about
096something and you were incredibly approachable and always respectful. One of your strengths, I think, is that you always seek to understand before being understood. And that's a really unique and rare human quality these days. But you really try to rein us in as a board to do that. And we're going to miss you. Each time I hear you slow down and take the time to disseminate information to the public in a way that they can understand, and particularly to help them appreciate all of the issues that play in a decision and your process of reasoning, it amazes me. Because I think your emotional intelligence is incredible. And I've been thinking, what are we going to do without Steve up here doing that for everyone? Because there's a lot, you know, we read so many emails,
097we read so many documents, we meet in committees, and it's very easy to forget when you get up here on the dais that not everyone down there is as familiar as you are with the issues. And you always take the time to think through it from their perspective and to walk them through that. And that's unbelievably valuable. I am really grateful for your support and your efforts towards the strategic plan. It's kind of like the conversation you and I had earlier today. It's going to function as like, you know, almost like the constitution, right, of our district moving forward where there will be lots of time and interpretation to understand what it means, but we need to have a guiding document and one that was publicly informed to help us move forward rather than having
098it just run, you know. every two years by whoever's on the board and their personal opinions on things. I love and appreciate, especially as a patriot, your value of meeting the needs of the whole community and not just your own perspective. And that you take that responsibility of democratic government very, very seriously. And I see a profound amount of integrity in you in that regard. And I will hold on to that and remember that as a board member for as long as I serve. So thank you for everything you've done. As I mentioned earlier, serving on a board of education is unique. It involves representing, advocating, collaborating, building consensus and governing as a single unit. And my experience working with Steve. for 10 of his 12 years of board service is that he is a
099fine example of those attributes. And he's, so kind of three thoughts about Steve is, first is his consistency. He's always here. I'm just guessing, but I'm not sure if you've missed more than one or two meetings in 12 years. One, one meeting. 287 meetings. I mean, that's incredible. And that is your consistent, that's a measure of your consistency, your dedication, and every meeting you come well prepared. You've done your work, you've read things, you've explored different resources, and you bring so much to our... to our discussions, not only here in board meeting, but also in our committees. And the second thing is your connection with constituents, with people. I am just blown away by how well you connect parents, employees, members of the community, students. And over the years, you and I have co-hosted town
100hall meetings and that's been... you know, we've had such a variety of experiences there, but the consistency has been your willingness to listen and give people time and respect and provide the information that they're seeking and or promise to advocate their position and bring it to either the board or the administration. And your willingness to just engage and invite the public and the patrons to interact with you and to connect with you is very impressive. And then lastly, it's been mentioned before, is your vision. You have that ability to see the immediate as well as the long term. You see the detail as well as the big picture. Your advocacy for the long range strategic plan as I'm so grateful that you kept at it until the rest of us caught up with you. So
101just appreciate you so much and the opportunity that I've had to serve alongside you all these years. Steve is really remarkable, an incredible person. I am blown away with the amount of hours he spends serving as a board member. The first time I met him, I was on the other side of the rostrum. I was here as a parent and came with an issue at our middle school. And Steve took the time to talk to me after the meeting. I emailed him and then he called me. We had several phone calls. What's remarkable about that is I'm not the only one he did that with. Steve will call people who email him all the time. It doesn't matter if they're his constituent or not. I wasn't his constituent, but he reached out because he cared.
102And he spends. so much time in our schools. When you go around to our schools, that's one thing I hear often, even in my own schools. Well, Steve Wrigley was here. He is there at every event. I really don't know how he does it, but the inordinate amount of hours he spends connecting to parents who email, going out and talking to employees and teachers and being at every event. The other thing I appreciate about Steve is Steve. adds a higher level of respect and kindness. And when he's in the room, it raises. And that's a pretty remarkable trait that affects all around him. And I really appreciate that. He has always been kind to me. Always appreciate that. His level of preparedness that Nancy mentioned when I was thinking about what to say about Steve,
103it's the notebooks and how prepared he is. I don't know that there could ever be anyone more prepared than Steve for any board meeting, any issue. And the way he recaps how we come. came to the decision and all the factors that play that was already mentioned. So I just want to thank you for your time. It'll be, it'll be, we hope you come back often and I have a feeling that you'll still be visiting and around. So thank you for your service. Okay. So I, I've known Steve for a long time, even before I ran for the board, but he was always just very approachable as a board member. and always so nice and willing to talk to parents. And he really was a mentor for me on the board. I really watched his
104example. And I'm really mad that Holly said that because I was going to tell you guys that he calls everyone who emails. He calls them. no matter if they're mad if they're whatever so a lot of times I'll call Steve I'm like did you call that person like what happened anyway but I I think that's amazing like that he is willing to do that and that he he does that like that is incredible to me um and it goes to the fact that he tries to understand first and he tries to understand everyone's perspective and I really respect that um I'm going to have to admit that I've called him with some problems as well. So maybe, I don't know. I hope he's not going to start charging us, Clary. But he's always very willing
105to help anyone and talk to you when you have problems. He's very calm. He's very understanding. And he, just from the first time I was on the board, he always would send me little, like, encouraging texts or call me and leave me. me a message and I just really appreciated that like it made me feel really welcome and feel accepted and I always remember that and lastly I just want to say enjoy your Tuesday nights and I hope you go do something fun go out of town please go out of town on a Tuesday anyway thank you thank you Mr. Wrigley would you like to say something yes it's always nice to hear these things about you before you're dead So thank you. This is a great opportunity. I put together a clarion call. I
106was going to just wing it and clarion call me and read this and said, I'm going to clarion's writing and I better write it too. So I have written my celebration of life statement. And so, so over the short 12 years that I've had some of the sweetest and most challenging experiences in my life. I don't know how many of you guys go to the dentist every six months, but isn't that a freaky experience? You go to the dentist, you say, six months is gone? Yeah. Where did that six months go? Sometimes it feels like that with the 12 years that I've been on the board. I've had an opportunity to work alongside the most professional and talented individuals that I've ever met, especially members of my current board and our administration. Through these experiences,
107I've become a better man. I have grown to love and respect each person to whom I have served. I also have the opportunity to work with thousands of students and patrons responding to an overwhelming number of phone calls and emails coming at all times of the day and night, always trying to respond to your issues and concerns as quickly as possible, trying always to be your voice in education. I've had the challenge to help build the first new school district in 100 years. What a fun thing that has been. This has been no easy task, especially the last two years of COVID. Jeff will attain to that. We're in the middle of COVID. We're working 30, 40 hours a week, and Channel 2 comes up with a thing saying, I'm the most overpaid board member
108in the state. I drive a 2010 Honda. You know, I appreciate Jeff, who was sitting here on the other side of me, you know, through that interview. And at the end of the interview, it was really sort of funny because he said, okay, well, he gave him two pages of stuff we were doing currently. At the end of the interview, he was like, well, okay, well, whatever. And then the two commentaries at the end, and the news said, well, it can't be that much overpaid because nobody wants to do it. interesting thing was their accounting insurance benefits not the major amount of money we get as a stipend um anyway however I'm proud of what we have built and accomplished in the short period that I've been on the board we have built and refurbished
109numerous schools across the district I think I have headstones of at least 14 of them uh we um We have made all of our schools safer for our students. Kenya is one of the prime districts in the state with award-winning staff and programs. During my time at office, graduation rates have gone up, as Jeff said. That's amazing to see our kids. Teacher salaries went up $20,000, right? We have also the finest teachers and administrative staff in the state. And I've gone to several different districts. Don't tell them. We have started the University of Utah Step to the U program at Elta, and now we're moving out to Jordan High. We're the only district in the state that's doing that. We are completing our own life skills curriculum to address the emotional and social needs of
110our students. What a thing that has been the last couple of years. Thank you. Just for your process and that and the other people that have been involved in that. We have opened two new high schools, Corner Canyons and Diamond Ridge. They finally got a home. I'm glad they got a home before I was off the board. That probably is a gift. Okay. We have one of the finest adult education programs in the state. We have implemented an AVID feeder system from elementary to high school. And if people don't know about AVID, it encourages students to be the first to go to college in their family. I think we may be one of the few in the state that have an AVID system. We have developed an outstanding dual immersion program with three different languages.
111We have two award-winning marching bands and numerous award-winning choral and drama programs across the district. There are too many accomplishments in the past 12 years. I just don't have time to mention. You're probably saying, thank you, I'm not. I will miss the opportunity to visit with our administrators, our teachers, our staff, our students. To sit upon the stand at graduation and look into the faces. Some people would be frightened of going up and talking to 10,000, 5,000, 6,000 people. I'd love it. I'll miss that. But to look at the future of those kids and the bright faces and know that we all had some part in that, some small part in that. I will miss the opportunity to serve you and to associate with some of our greatest individuals I've had the opportunity to know.
112This has truly been a blessing in my life. I'm grateful to my wife and family for all their support. My youngest was 10 years old when we started on the board. This has been a great source for the sacrifice for them. And I have been, had to serve on the board for almost one third of my married life. They have been my support and have filled in, especially my wife when it was gone from home doing public service. My wife has frequently told me that I have spent more time with Nancy Tingey on the phone than her in person. And it may be true, especially over the last COVID years, especially with the COVID years. When one door closes, another opens, I look forward to the challenges and life experiences I will have to serve
113in the future. Maybe I'll have the opportunity to serve with you in a different capacity. After serving as a substitute teacher in Granite and Murray districts for the past four years, I was finally able to leave on the board now, finally able today to be hired as a substitute in Kansas School District. So I will still get to associate with our fantastic principals and students. I look forward to be able to continue my association with the fine people and students of our Kansas family. I thank my family and my friends, especially my wife, and friendships. and support and the friendships over these last 12 years. Now the body's not yet cold. I have until December 31st to carry on my boat duties and maybe we'll still meet. I got several meetings coming up in the
114next couple of days. You know, I will work to my last day. Please don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I have gone through many transitions in my life and I'm a retirement coach. So I tell people how to get through this. So all I have to do is listen to myself. So each one of us has led to each opportunity and has led to a greater opportunity. So it'll be exciting to see from here. Thank you all for all you've given to me. Thank you. Okay. We have some things to present to Mr. Wrigley, and then I've got a few closing items. Is there any vegetables in that basket? I don't know. My wife will probably throw it away. Okay. Let's hear it. Let's give one more round of applause to Mr. Ridley and
115Mrs. Arnold. And we say thank you for your service. You may have noticed that we have arranged for reception in the back of the room. And so we would like to invite everyone to stay after to talk with Mrs. Arnold and Mr. Ridley and thank them for their service for Two Canyons School District. Thank you, Jeff, and thank you for making those arrangements. And as I want to just maybe exercise a little bit of prerogative as board chair, and we have a special guest that is here to recognize Clarine and Steve, and I'd like to invite former superintendent Jim Briscoe to offer a few comments. Thank you, President Tanguy. This is really weird being on this side. But I'm sort of excited because I'm really a patron. Should I say my name and address and
116everything? But I don't get it. So Corrine reminds you of your mom and Leon, she reminds you of an older sister when all this time, Corrine, you always reminded me of the kid next door that we'd go down the park and get in trouble with. Is that true? And, and Steve, you always remind me my junior high counselor when the teacher kicked me out of the room which happened frequently I was bouncing off the walls because of all the sugar I ate. And you would say someday you're going to make something yourself young man. You know, did you see him doing that. But I don't, I don't want to take up a lot of time, because because you guys have done a wonderful job talking about all, all the contributions you made that'll be a
117legacy here. in canyons all of you really you know i've worked with all of you but tonight steve and clarion i just want to tell you what i love about you and i really mean it because you know rick when you're working with someone as closely you develop relationships too with people and it's not just about working and sitting in policy communities for us hours and hours, right? And so I just think you have a lot in common, both of you. One of the things I learned about you that I love was the passion you had for your jobs, just your personal careers. It was amazing to me how much you loved what you did. And if any of you had time, well, a lot of you have gone to Corrine's classroom. I've been there
118too. But Steve's done some pretty cool things in his career too, like working in the prisons with some pretty crazy people, one-on-one. And I just love that. I love the fact that you love your families. I mean, I'm telling you, we talked about you guys all the time. I told Corrine a million times, when you listen to her stories, I just wanted her to adopt me. Didn't I say that? I love the fact that you both sort of like Leon. I didn't get it, but yeah, no. But I'm surprised you didn't say any jokes tonight after Jeff's. But I just want to say thank you, what you give me personally, because when I was superintendent here, you know, you're the superintendent and you're constantly learning. constantly you have to be open-minded to other ideas especially
119extreme ideas on both sides you have to be able to take that in and both of you were able to sit me down like that junior high kid and say okay jim you gotta listen to this instead of shooting off and going to do something right um but you made me a better superintendent you made me a better person i just wanted to take a moment and thank both of you for that and i mean that a lot actually all of you have so You guys are wonderful. I told Rick when he got here, I still believe it. I've worked with, I can't imagine how many board members, how many board presidents. And I'm convinced that you as a school board, and I know all of you real well, even though Holly wasn't here, we
120work closely together too. This is the best school board in the state, if not in the country. I don't know. I'm telling you, it's true. So thank you. Good luck to you guys. Thank you. Thank you for that. So with that, that concludes our items on the agenda for this evening. And I will adjourn the meeting and invite everyone to join us in a little reception in honor of Steve and Clarine. So thank you all for being here and being a part of this.