ST. GEORGE — The first Washington County School District board meeting after the beginning of the academic year saw students recognized for technology certifications, as well as updates of district policies.
“Utah really hits it out of the park in terms of these certification outcomes and Washington County is responsible for over 25% of all the certifications earned within the state of Utah,” Senior Director Mike Maddock said.
Washington County School District Board recognized and gave acclamations to several students within the school district for achieving certifications within computer technology programs. The Certiport certifications are for programs such as Microsoft Office, Adobe, Intuit, Autodesk, Cisco and others.
“It’s recognized by not only industry-level people, but it also brings in credentials within and is recognized within the post-secondary level when they go to the university or technical colleges,” district CTE director Dave Gardner said.
The school district saw 3,640 Microsoft certifications and 306 Adobe certifications received. Statewide, 14,108 Microsoft certifications and 657 Adobe certifications were earned by students.
The top four Microsoft-certified students and the top three Adobe-certified students within Washington County received honors.
The following students were the top certifiers: Logan Dobson, Michael Callahan, Luikart Brady, Barlow Ginger, Cayman Conley, Ellie Preston and Harlee Lee-Sorrell.
The following advising teachers were present for their accomplishment accolades: Brett Moss, Heidi Taylor, Rodney Tracy, Derek Smith and Jaime Araiza.
Along with recognitions made by the board, each top student received a new backpack, cookies and treats.
The board also heard from Little Valley Elementary and Pine View Middle School who reported status updates.
Pine View Principal Brett Gifford and Vice Principal Bo Iverson said the school focuses on four essential standards: respect, responsibility, resiliency and relationships. The standards are on posters hung throughout the school.
“We wanted to kind of grow the culture,” Gifford said. “Teaching the students to be responsible, respectful, resilient and the relationships.”
Three board action items were presented before the board. The updates to Policy 4211: Media Center Library Materials are being tabled until next month’s meeting at the request of Technology Director Jeremy Cox.
Cox stated the school attorney wanted to help decide what books within the school libraries would be considered curriculum. He said that books that fall under the curriculum would be regulated by a different set of regulations than “regular reading” books. For a look at the policy, click here.
Executive Director of Secondary Schools Cheri Stevenson presented changes to Policy 4800: Promotion, Retention and Acceleration as it concerns the entry age of children into kindergarten. For a look at the policy, click here.
The revised policy was unanimously approved.
Board member Brent Bills helped present the last action item regarding early interactive reading software used. This is to ensure it is in synchronicity with S.B. 44: Reading Software Amendments. They use three main programs which include programs from Waterford.org, Lexia and Acadiance. It too was approved unanimously.
Director of Assessment, Learning, and Research Brad Christensen discussed the proposed District Policy 2961 for the Language Access Plan to help regulate plans for students and parents with a primary language other than English.
This includes interpretation services, communication with parents/guardians regarding academics, discipline and more. This is a new proposed policy to comply with H.B. 154: English Learner Language Amendments.
Public comments saw issues that have been covered by St. George News regarding breastfeeding at schools, “pornographic books” in the school library and lacrosse being approved as a high school-sanctioned sport. The same people or organizations spoke concerning these issues.
The next monthly open meeting is Oct. 10 at 4:30 p.m. at the district board room.
Photo Gallery
Washington County School Board Member David Stirland smiles at the accomplishments of several students backpacks at the school board meeting, St. George, Utah, Sept. 12, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
(L to R): Harlee Lee-Sorrell, Luikart Brady, Cayman Conley, Michael Callahan, Barlow Ginger and Ellie Preston were honored at the school board meeting, St. George, Utah, Sept. 12, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Washington County top technology certification students received honors with family and teachers in attendance, St. George, Utah, Sept. 12, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Pine View Middle School Principal Brett Gifford reports on current status of the school at the school board meeting, St. George, Utah, Sept. 12, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Pine View Middle School Vice Principal Bo Iverson reports on current status of the school at the school board meeting, St. George, Utah, Sept. 12, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Desert Canyons Elementary PTA leaders report of recent fundraising efforts at the school board meeting, St. George, Utah, Sept. 12, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
School district director of secondary schools Cheri Stevenson presents updates to Policy 4800 at the school board meeting, St. George, Utah, Sept. 12, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.