Mountain Crest School Community Council
November 21, 2017 at 0700
Location: Sunroom
Welcome: Amy Garbe started the meeting at 7:05 AM.
Approve the minutes: A motion to approve the minutes as emailed out was made by Marci Bingham, 2nd by Jan Nithcman. Voting all in favor.
Professional Development (Trustlands plan and budget updates) Teri Cutler:
Spent so far: $6300 staff, $3258 paraprofessionals, insurance, $450 PLC conference, $4500 subs for PLC conference, $8500 VISTAs, $2000 travel, $500 supplies
Teri is arranging to have the district’s former tech guy come check the technology prior to purchasing more. They purchased some tech for one of the teachers, who then found that there was a vital part missing in the infrastructure to run it. They want to make sure that the tech they are purchasing will work with what is there. Teri was able to get 4 990 computers from the Trustlands lottery that will be put in the testing center. They are also looking at installing some microwaves.
PSAT scores/updates: Scores will be coming in December, probably close to Christmas.
Counseling department: updates, scholarships, goalsKris Hart:
This is the last year that the Regents Scholarship will be run as it previously ran, and then it will be done on a needs base and won’t be able to be stacked with other scholarships and FAFSA (financial aide), affecting the juniors and beyond.
The counseling department has interns and VISTAs who work 1-on-1 with about 200 students who are struggling educationally.
1 in 4 students are food insecure. The counseling department is working to address this issue through the Giving Place, the school food pantry. Students don’t know where it is located, but as needs are seen or learned of, staff help the students who are in need receive the resources. The Giving Place was given $1300 by the Presbyterian church to help stock items they need. Gossners donates shelf-stable milk. Ridleys is providing $30 each week for fresh fruit and veggies. Some new shoes were donated by Altra.Clothes can be donated but must be new with tags still attached. Many of these students never receive new clothes – only used clothes and having something new is a really big deal to them.
Questions were asked about how students can find out about what scholarships are available and application deadlines. This information is available on the school website in the scholarship blog. Go to the counseling department. Part of the way down the page on the left side is a box that says “MCHS + RHS Scholarships.” Clicking the link below will list the different scholarships, requirements, and deadlines. Many of the deadlines are coming up, so students should be checking it now. Many scholarships go unfilled, because students don’t want to take the time to fulfill the requirements or write an essay. Ellen Rasmussen noted that often it only takes between 30 minutes to an hour to write an essay, and by winning the scholarship they can be paid $500 or more for that short amount of time, well worth the effort. Another great resource is Step Up Utah which can help students figure out what resources are available to help students prepare for and pay for college.
Safety concerns Teri Cutler & Doug Snow:
Teri and Doug reported on some of the unexpected effects of HB 239. The bill was written to address issues of some of the urban school districts.This bill made it the schools’ responsibility to enforce certain laws concerning school attendance and misbehavior. Police officers now cannot address on-street truancy. They can tell the students they should be at school when they see them during school hours, but can’t take any action on it. Schools have been drug-free zones, where being caught smoking or doing drugs on school property enhanced the charges. HB 239 made it so that those actions are no longer enhancible on school property.Now people can do all sorts of naughtiness on school property any time day or night, any time of the year and won’t be charged with the same level as they would if they were anywhere else. This encourages crime on school property. Our district’s principals recently met with Representative Ed Reddand talked about the problems that have arisen because of this bill. Many of these issues were ones that were not expected or intended. Ed plans to discuss these issues with Lowry Snow, the bill’s author, and see what can be done to address them.
Teri mentioned they have worked on getting lights working correctly for safety. They have some issues at the pool, and will be addressing them this summer.
Parent concerns:
It was asked if a water stationcould be installed on the east end of the school. Teri explained that the water fountain on that end is not working well. The district will only pay for a regular water fountain to be installed, which costs around $300. A water station costs more, and the district is not wanting to pay the extra. They are trying to find a way to get it installed.
Motion to adjourn at 7:45 by Marci Bingham, 2nd by Teri Cutler. Voting all in favor.
Next meeting: December 19, 7:00 AM in the Sunroom.
Attendance: Mari Bingham, Amy Garbe, Jeff Hertzler, Sandra Morgan, Wendy Osborne, Ellen Rasmussen, Liz Riding, Theresa Tidrow, Teri Cutler, Lori Karaghouli, Jan Nitchman, Doug Snow, Denise Mouritsen, Kris Hart.
Absent: Bryant White