Rich County School Board

Kathie B. Anderson, reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  January 15, 2019.  The Rich County School District held its regularly scheduled Board meeting on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

Superintendent Dale Lamborn welcomed Senator Lyle Hillyard to the meeting.  Senator Hillyard chairs the Education Appropriations Committee in the Utah State Senate.  Hillyard discussed the upcoming session of the Utah State Legislature, including surplus money, transportation, public safety, suicide prevention, nurses, and counselors in schools.

Currently, Utah third graders have a 49% educational knowledge score.  Senator Hillyard feels strongly that this percentage must be raised at least to a 60-70% educational knowledge level for students to positively achieve throughout their school careers.  More students need to move on from high school, prepared for college or technical schools.

School fees were also discussed.   Schools must comply with State school fee laws.  Rich County fees are in compliance with the Utah fee structure.  School fees can have a significant impact, but we must make sure they are reasonable and fair for every school.  Every effort must be made throughout the State to give all students the same opportunities.

Standardized tests are important evaluations for teachers and schools.  However, when new tests are given each year, with the availability for students to opt out of tests, administrators and teachers may find it to be difficult to achieve year to year consistency.

Senator Hillyard was pleased with all of the education and building projects that the Rich County School District is implementing on behalf of its students.

Hillyard stated that the Legislature is not our enemy.  He is encouraged that the Legislature wants to give control back to local school boards so they can address their specific needs.

Hillyard invited Rich County students to come to the Capital during the upcoming session of the Utah Legislature, sit in the gallery, shake hands with Governor Herbert, and have a student say the opening prayer for the Senate.

Cindy Caldwell was sworn in as a new member of the Rich County School District Board.  Scott Sabey will continue to serve as President and Eric Wamsley will continue to serve as Vice President of the Rich County School Board.
   
The Hogan and Associates firm was selected to construct the North Campus building in Laketown.

The Utah Consolidation Application is now known as Utah Grants.  The Board unanimously adopted the State’s definition of At-Risk Students.  The School Board also approved the Sex and Health Education curriculum materials.  Mr. Lundgren and Mrs. Stewart attended a Utah State training on curriculum materials that are compliant and approved by the Utah State Board of Education.

School Board member Scott Tolentino and Superintendent Dale Lamborn recommended that the Board revisit the Rich County fee schedule during an upcoming Board meeting.  Cindy Caldwell also requested that suicide prevention, bullying,, and emotional,  mental, and  psychological illness be addressed by the School Board.

Bridgerland Technical College President K. Chad Campbell suffered a mild heart attack, so the Bridgerland meeting was cancelled.

The next regularly scheduled School Board Meeting will be held February 18, 5:00  p.m., in Randolph, Utah.