School Board reviews enrollment and reports

by David Boyle
News Director
San Juan School Board members reviewed school report cards, enrollment data and heard from youth councils at their latest meeting.
Members of the board received report cards for district schools at their November meeting, The reports graded school performance for last academic year 2023-2024.
Assistant Superintendent Derek Begay presented the board with the grades for secondary schools.
Begay noted that five of the six schools had at least one area identified as “critical needs” but also noted that four of the six also had at least one area given a commendable mark. Even without those marks Begay notes the schools are at least similar to others in Utah.
“Although some of the schools have some of the areas that are maybe not commendable, they’re still either at or nearing the statewide averages”
Assistant Superintendent Julie Holt also presented the board with grades for elementary schools. While La Sal Elementary numbers are too small to measure growth, it was a success in the district’s other five elementary schools with four of the five schools scoring as commendable or higher in growth and one scoring as typical. While growth is showing improvements in the school, Holt noted that the schools are working to increase achievement scores related to proficiency of key subjects.
Attendance rates at district schools were highlighted by both administrative staff and members of the board as a particular concern when reviewing grades for district schools.
Of note were River Region schools elementary attendance which staff noted may be related to difficulties of travel if students miss the bus as well as other barriers.
In an effort to battle attendance issues, the district has implemented attendance initiatives creating attendance plans for chronically absent students, understanding the issues driving absenteeism and how teachers and schools can help encourage student attendance. Holt noted the programs have already seen significant growth.
“Montezuma Creek Elementary, for instance, last year did an incentive at the end of the year. 59 students qualified for that attendance incentive. This fall, 169 students attended and qualified. So I think that’s huge.”
In a similar vein, members of the board also reviewed enrollment counts for the 2024-2025 school year. See a chart of enrollment figures and trends on page A2.
Enrollment at school across the districts was at 2,768, a decrease of 68 students from last year. The enrollment is the lowest number of students in the district over the previous 10 years, matching a trend of decreasing enrollment over the decade. The 10 year average for the district is an enrollment of 2,886.
Two schools in the district saw growth in enrollment, with Tse’bii’nidzisgai Elementary seeing enrollment increase by 21 students to total 224 students, Albert R Lyman Middle School also saw a seven student increase to total 330 students. Bluff Elementary School saw no change in its enrollment of 74 students.
Blanding Elementary School saw a decrease of 31 students to total 471 students to remain the largest populated school in the district.
Monticello Elementary saw a decrease of 29 students to total 262 students, Monticello High saw a decrease of seven also students to total 210 students.
Board members also received a brief capital projects update with work ongoing at the new Blanding Elementary School. The district completed the installation of new playground equipment at Montezuma Creek Elementary school.
Members of the board also received a brief update on the fund balance review In October the board reviewed $9.4 million in the fiscal year 2024 unassigned fund balance. Part of that balance went to a one-time bonus to district employees.
In November, district staff reported new buildings and ground supervisor Steve Francom has been completing a review of district buildings including implementing state-required safety measures.
Staff reports they will come to the board with recommendations for the unassigned funds at the December board meeting.
Members of the school board also held a first review of calendar options for the upcoming school year. A survey of teachers found that 65 percent of the nearly 130 who responded preferred option 1, which would include a teacher day on January 5 next year with the first term starting the next day.
Much of the discussion revolved around whether to hold Spring Break the second or last week of March. The earlier Spring Break would align with the Utah State University spring break.
Board members directed staff to send out a survey with those two options for staff and parents to weigh-in on.
Members of the board also received a report on the new student advisory councils. Superintendent Christine Fitzgerald explained the council, made up of one junior and one senior from each high school, met for the first time in November.
The council will provide a student perspective on district initiatives and build leadership skills, with the first meeting agenda including discussions about respect and belonging in schools, bullying, cell phone policies and gathering feedback from students.
Fitzgerald explained the students are not necessarily elected representatives in order to increase leadership opportunities to a wider range of students.
Members of the board heard directly from the Native Youth Council. Two student leaders from the Native Youth Council presented to the board requesting for approval to attend the mid-year Unity Conference.
Grant funds will help cover the cost of a three day February conference in Phoenix that will provide unique opportunities for the council, including leadership development, cultural exchange, and learning about community and wellness advocacy.
The school board also received two public comments from teachers. David Hopkins of ARL highlighted the expansion of eSports programs to middle schools, noting the popularity of eSports and opportunities for youth participation.
Justin Redd approached the board suggesting a full week for fall break, emphasizing the need for a break, possible family time opportunities and a reduction in absenteeism.
Members of the board also recognized two employees with San Juan Sweet Job awards. District Heritage Language Director Brenda Whitehorse was recognized for her work making the Heritage Language Programs excel, including efforts focused on communicating with parents, and diligently working to make sure students receive quality language instruction.
Board members also recognized District Network Specialist Jared Brown. Brown was nominated for his work to enhance the district’s tech capabilities by expanding network infrastructure.