Kurt A. Prusse

The study session agenda included several key items for discussion and potential administrative direction. Topics covered were the determination of speaking assignments for the 2026 graduation ceremonies and a review of the proposed 2026-27 fee schedule, which included a newly added Option #2. The Board also discussed potential updates to administrative policies concerning employee acceptable use, code of conduct, district and school websites, and social media guidelines. A follow-up report on the Gifted and Talented program, requested from the January 13, 2026 meeting, was presented. Other discussions involved reviewing the impact of legislation affecting education, reviewing governance process policies (GP110, GP111, GP112), receiving a presentation on financial information prior to the 2026-27 budget preparation, and receiving reports and comments from Board members and the Superintendent on various advisory committees.

The study session included a discussion regarding the Draft Resolution for the Salt Lake County Hazard Mitigation Plan, necessary for FEMA funding qualification, with the Board directing staff to include the adoption resolution on the February 24, 2026 consent agenda. An exception request for an additional overnight trip for the Herriman High School track team to a tournament in St. George in April 2026 was discussed and unanimously approved. Key discussions on the approval process for the 2026-27 Student Fee Schedule covered whether different fees could be charged for the same program, the requirement for a fee-free path to graduation, and methods for parents to raise fee concerns anonymously. A parent was also approved to serve on the Calendar Committee as the Herriman Feeder parent representative. The Facilities Committee presented an approach for analyzing under-enrolled schools for potential consolidation or closure, seeking general approaches ranging from less aggressive to more aggressive. A legislative review covered several bills, including those pertaining to property tax notification, third-grade reading proficiency goals, referendums on board decisions, student screen time limits, and athletic practice time restrictions. Finally, a review of Board Policies GP108 through GP110 occurred, with recommendations for revisions to GP109 and GP110. Board committee and Superintendent reports followed.

The agenda for the meeting included several study session topics: a report on the Districtwide Health and Wellness Day, discussion regarding an exception request to the Student Overnight Travel policy for the Bingham High School Marching Band, a presentation and discussion on the Student Fee Schedule for 2026-27 (with two required public comment periods), a review of Summer 2026 Capital Outlay Project bids, consideration of a potential study concerning unfunded bus routes for underserved elementary students, and a legislative review. The General Session included flag ceremonies, reverence, school celebrations, and resolutions of appreciation. The General Business sections covered approval of consent agendas (including Board Minutes, Superintendent/Business Administrator evaluations, and hazard mitigation plan adoption) and acceptance of consent agendas (including expenditures, financial statements, personnel actions, and non-compliance reports). The meeting also included detailed discussions and potential actions on multiple facility bids, such as kitchen remodeling, office space conversion, auditorium upgrades, track replacement, security installations, athletic partnerships, Chromebook procurement, diesel training modules/simulators, software license extensions, transformer relocation, roof replacements, elevator modernization, and make-up air system replacements. Potential closed session topics included character/competence of individuals, property, potential litigation, negotiations, and security.

The Board of Education conducted study, general, and closed sessions. The study session included updates on Student and Employee Health and Wellness, where supports, data, and upcoming events like Health and Wellness Day were discussed. The Board also reviewed a summer project concerning sound and lighting upgrades at Elk Ridge Middle School, instructing staff to seek bids. Protocol for consulting with relevant Board members regarding schools on the enrollment 'watch list' was considered for revision. A legislative review highlighted proposed bills concerning charter school property rights, funding shortfalls, and cell phone restrictions, with further discussion scheduled. The general session featured recognitions for Bingham High School achievements, students in the Aerospace Engineering program, and National Board Certified Teachers. Public comments addressed concerns about student absence policies and support for adding a dual language immersion program at Aspen Elementary School. Consent agenda items approved included the 2026-27 Annual Board Meeting Calendar and LEA Specific Licenses, while expenditures, financial statements, and personnel changes were accepted. Bid recommendations involved the purchase of Chromebooks for Fort Herriman Middle School, Riverton High School, and West Jordan High School, and contract awards for an Information Systems E-Rate Network Switch Upgrade, Transportation Compressed Natural Gas Tank Replacement, and Transportation A/C Retrofit of School Buses. The continued study session addressed more legislative matters and initiated a review and proposed revisions for Board Policies GP105 through GP108, with subsequent policy discussions scheduled for a future date.

The Study Session involved several agenda items, including an update on student and employee health and wellness, which was for information only. Action was taken to approve a motion pursuing a bid for sound and/or lighting upgrades at Elk Ridge Middle School. Recommendations for revising documentation with clarifying language related to enrollment considerations were approved. Furthermore, the Board approved recommendations for revising Board policies GP105, GP106, GP107, and GP108, with the Policy Review Committee tasked to implement the changes and present them at a subsequent meeting. Legislative review was presented for informational purposes only.