School board updates policies ahead of new year

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the San Juan School Board received updates on capital projects, approved early learning plans and updated policies at their latest August 7 meeting.
District Business Administrator Tyrel Pemberton said much of the moving of dirt at the new Blanding Elementary School site is done and they had their first concrete pour the week before. Pemberton added the new elementary school is on schedule and budget so far.
Pemberton said the installation of new HVAC units on Navajo Mountain High School is nearly complete, and that they’re also working on installing new playground equipment at Montezuma Creek Elementary School.
Pemberton said the district should have some drawings and cost estimates for the entryway project at the September board meeting.
The school district received a $5 million grant to make the entryways more modern and safe at Monticello High, ARL Middle, San Juan High and Montezuma Creek Elementary Schools.
Members of the board also discussed possible updates to policy related to employee housing. 
Pemberton notes that the district operates with a unique relationship, acting as both an employer and landlord for staff in the approximate 80 units that the district manages.
Administrators said that while most tenants leave their units in good condition, a few instances have caused the district to raise its security deposit from $150 to $500.
District housing staff has also been working to clarify expectations for tenets. The increased security deposit is an incentive to keep apartments and housing in good condition with the deposit returned to residents if everything remains in good shape.
Administrators clarified that the district has a $200 one-time charge for pets in units, with a $25 ongoing monthly fee for cats and dogs.
Pemberton says the security deposit and rental rates are below what the market demands but says it is part of the balancing act for the district.
“We aren’t just a landlord, we’re also an employer and the reason we have housing as an employer is to recruit and retain teachers in areas.”
Superintendent Christine Fitzgerald notes that retention of teachers in the district has a cyclical effect with employee retention lowering turnover for district housing.
Members of the school board also approved an early learning plan for the academic school year. The program sets goals and makes plans to address literacy and mathematics in students in kindergarten thru third grade.
The mathematics district goal is to increase the percentage of first grade students scoring at or above benchmark on math scores by 31 percent from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.
The district will provide math practices and strategy instruction, professional development and instructional coaching with first grade teachers and paraprofessionals. 
For early literacy, the district goal is an 11 percent increase in first grade students who score at or above benchmark from the beginning to the end of the school year.
The district will provide ongoing professional development and instructional coaching with first-grade teachers and paraprofessionals, including classroom observations and feedback.
Assistant Superintendent Julie Holt explained that the district literacy and math goals for every grade level K-3 align with benchmark goals. Holt added that the district has exceeded their pathways to progress goals over the past three years.
Members of the board unanimously approved the early learning plan.
The board also updated policies related to background checks to align with updated state code. The district will have ongoing monitoring, meaning if employees are arrested the district will be notified. Other updates from the code relate to considerations for the district when hiring staff.
Board members updated the school library media policies as required by state code. The update includes the objective materials review, including an update on the process when someone asks for a book review.
The process includes consideration for a plausible claim, followed by convening an objective review committee, and communication with the state library media specialist. 
In addition, the policy states that one individual can request up to three material review requests at a time, but if those objections are unsuccessful that individual will not be able to submit additional requests during that year.
Members of the board also approved spend plan updates for Navajo Mountain High for both the robotics club and cross-country team.
Board members also approved a district policy clarifying that board members as ineligible for retirement benefits.
District administration and the school board recognized Jonathon English and Jacob Rebman with San Juan Sweet Job awards.