South Sanpete School Board highlights student progress, school improvements
GUNNISON—Student achievement, a statewide teaching honor and efforts to provide additional educational opportunities were among the highlights presented to the South Sanpete School Board during its Oct. 14 meeting.
Board members heard reports from school administrators about academic progress, early literacy, facility improvements and programs designed to help students succeed.
Among the highlights was recognition of Kyle Merchant of Gunnison Valley Middle School, who received the Utah Science Teachers Association Teacher of the Year award. Merchant is scheduled to be honored Oct. 23.
School principals shared updates on academic performance and programs at their respective schools.
Gunnison Valley Middle School reported that English language learner students had met state performance targets, while administrators are placing additional emphasis on improving outcomes for students with disabilities. The school also announced its upcoming production of "Aladdin," scheduled for Nov. 12-14.
Gunnison Valley High School highlighted a student advisory program focused on developing interpersonal and workplace skills. School officials developed the program with partners, including Snow College, to help students prepare for future educational and employment opportunities.
Administrators also reported positive feedback on the school's renovated gymnasium.
Another development is the district's new South Sanpete Connections program, which opened Sept. 3 with 16 students and is expected to serve approximately 20.
The program, housed at Snow College's Southwest campus, provides an alternative educational setting for students who have fallen behind in credits or struggled in traditional classrooms.
Program Director Josh Palmer, who previously served as assistant principal at Manti High School, reported encouraging progress among students enrolled in the program.
Palmer said several students who had conflicts with him during his time at Manti High School are now attending regularly, making academic progress and developing friendships.
He described how students who had previously struggled in their interactions with him were responding positively to the new environment. One student even apologized for past behavior.
The program emphasizes realistic career pathways and helping students develop confidence in their ability to succeed. Palmer noted that its approach has helped students feel valued and improve their outlook on education and future opportunities.
Palmer also reported that Manti High School had experienced no student dropouts so far this school year, an encouraging development compared with recent years.
Early literacy remained another major topic.
At Gunnison Valley Elementary School, Principal Arlene Jensen reported on the school's "Standout" reading theme and the results of beginning-of-year Acadience assessments.
Approximately 40 percent of kindergarten students performed at or above the reading benchmark, the school's lowest beginning-of-year result in recent years. Approximately 49 percent met the math benchmark, while results in other grades generally fell in the low-to-mid 60 percent range.
The school has developed individual reading plans for approximately 127 students identified as needing additional support.
Teachers spend an estimated one to two hours per student creating and maintaining the plans, with Jensen also dedicating additional time to tracking student progress.
District leaders discussed fluctuations in early literacy scores compared with state averages and emphasized the importance of exposing children to language and reading before they enter school.
They highlighted the value of parents reading with their children, preschool participation and library storytimes, particularly for children learning English.
The meeting also highlighted efforts to strengthen relationships between students and school staff.
Gunnison Valley High School Principal Gene King described an approach he uses when speaking with students in his office. He said he ends those conversations by asking two questions: "Do you feel you were treated fairly today?" and "Do you know we care about you?"
Another example came from Gunnison Valley Elementary School, where high school football players in uniform, often accompanied by cheerleaders, greet elementary students with high-fives on game-day Fridays.
The meeting also included expressions of concern about 122 students who reportedly stayed home for one or two days when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity affected the area.
Financial and facility matters occupied another portion of the meeting.
Business Manager Jake Hill reported approximately $14.6 million in revenue and $8.8 million in expenditures roughly one-quarter of the way through the fiscal year.
Major expenditures included salaries and benefits for nearly 550 employees, supplies, construction expenses and a $124,000 bond interest payment.
Hill also reported an unexpected $150,000 insurance rebate. The district expects to pay off its outstanding bonds in 2029.
The district's Oct. 1 enrollment count showed 65 fewer students than the previous year. Enrollment figures are important because they help determine state education funding.
Board members also reviewed several capital improvement priorities, including parking lot repairs, restroom renovations, athletic facility upgrades and improvements to school water systems.
Among the projects discussed was work on the bus access area at Gunnison Valley Middle School.
At Gunnison Valley High School, a drainage problem associated with a pipe issue dating to 2018 has created the need for major repairs in the band room.
Other planned work includes roofing projects, connections to provide culinary water for athletic fields and a summer kitchen remodel at Gunnison Valley High School that will temporarily affect meal service.
The district also discussed its Apex career and technical education centers at the high schools, with a target date in the spring. Grant writing efforts are helping the district pursue funding for several improvement projects.
The board approved purchasing two new school buses and three all-wheel-drive Chevrolet Trailblazers through the state purchasing contract.
The Trailblazers will cost approximately $26,000 each. Officials noted that school bus prices have increased, partly because of emissions requirements.
Board members also addressed several policy changes intended to bring district procedures into alignment with state requirements.
The revisions covered the re-employment of retirees, recruiting and hiring practices, public complaints, the district's education hotline and notification requirements for board meetings.
One hiring policy change allows the district to credit up to 10 years of previous qualifying experience. Updated terminology also identifies certain employees as educational support professionals.
Other discussions included local education agency-specific licenses for teachers working outside their regular endorsements and procedures for public notification of meetings, including truth-in-taxation hearings.
The board also approved overnight trips extending more than 150 miles.
District officials reminded families that additional information and educational resources are available through the district's parent portal and public education hotline.