by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the San Juan School Board heard from educators about the Utah Fits All scholarship program, approved next year’s school calendar and recognized the service of three outgoing school board members at their latest meeting.
Members of the school board also did not make any motion on becoming a vendor of the Utah Fits All scholarship program but did hear from educators who opposed the district becoming a vendor during the December 11 meeting.
The Utah Fits All program uses public education funds from the Utah State Income Tax to provide up to $8,000 per eligible student.
Those funds are eligible to students who opt out of public school, and can be used for educational opportunities and programs at approved vendors, ranging from an online school, tutoring service, art classes or other opportunities.
Recently a handful of parents in the county have requested the district become an approved vendor to allow non-publicly enrolled students to take some classes.
District Superintendent Christine Fitzgerald shared her recommendation to the board was the same as previously stated, in June and October. In October Fitzgerald told the board
“I think this is not the time for us to become a Utah fits all provider. It would take some time to develop the system, I think the overall cost in resources from our staff would be more than what we would be able to take in charging a fee schedule. My recommendation stays the same; that we wait and see how this continues and we could look at it again next year.”
Concerns with the program include compatibility with the district’s information system, maintaining confidentiality for students, the costs of implementation and the potential loss of funding for the district if students opt to attend other programs.
Also noted at the meeting was that families that homeschool still have the option to participate in extracurricular activities.
Educators in the district also came to voice their preference that the district not become a vendor of the program.
President of the San Juan Educators Association Amy Lyman spoke to the board reminding them their duty not only to the district but to the future of public education.
“Your mission, as is outlined in the San Juan School District’s policies, is not to just oversee the administration of our schools, but to protect and advocate for public education. This is a critical responsibility that impacts the lives of every student and family in our district. Public education is the foundation of our democracy and the gateway to the opportunity for all children, regardless of their background or circumstances.” Lyman asked the board to give additional consideration to the potential impacts of the program. Former President of the San Juan Educators Association Rich Monson asked the board to consider the impacts the program may have on the school, noting that loss of funding for full-time employees could impact district career and technical education (CTE) programs. ARL teacher David Hopkins shared concerns about lack of private educators requirements to provide special education services. Monticello High Counselor Jeff Hunt also spoke sharing the school’s preference that the district not become a vendor of the program at this time.
No motion was made by board members regarding the program at the December meeting.
Members of the San Juan School Board also approved the academic calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. The finalized calendar for the next year considered two options for the schedule of Spring break. Option one would’ve aligned the break with Utah State University’s spring break from March 9-13 in 2026, while the board ultimately went with option two meaning Spring break will be from March 30-April 3 in 2026.
Members of the board had survey data from licensed staff at their November meeting where 53-percent of 133 teachers surveyed preferred the earlier Spring break. In the December meeting members of the board also reviewed data from a parent calendar survey where 57-percent of 302 parents who responded preferred the later Spring break date. Combined 53-percent of those surveyed preferred the later Spring break date which the board ultimately approved.
As making the decision the board spoke about an opinion they’d heard voiced that some families would like nicer weather to be able to enjoy time outdoors with their Spring breaks, weighing that against the convenience for concurrent enrolled high school students to have their breaks aligned with the district and USU.
Members of the school board also reviewed an independent audit of the district showing the district is free from material misstatements and in compliance with accounting principles.
Highlights from the audit include that the district’s assets exceeded its liabilities by $142 million, an unrestricted net position totaled $50 million available for long-term needs and the district’s total net position increased by $15 million.
Members of the school board also received an update on the progress for construction at Blanding Elementary School. District Business Administrator Tyrel Pemberton shared progress on the building including that all concrete slabs for the building have been poured with the foundation set ahead of the new year.
Pemberton also shared a brief update on the districts unassigned fund balance which sits at around $8 million for the board to consider assignment of the funds. While the district’s fund balance is healthy Pemberton shared some considerations for the board including capital needs, safety upgrades and other items to consider for the balance.
District staff also recognized three outgoing school board members for their years of service. Lori Maughan and Steve Black were both recognized for their eight years of service on the board from 2016 to 2024. Staff highlighted some achievements from the board during that time including the groundbreaking for Bluff Elementary, the build of the Montezuma Creek Elementary gymnasium, the completion of Bluff Elementary school, navigation of the Covid-19 pandemic and the groundbreaking for Blanding Elementary School.
Staff recognized outgoing board member Merri Shumway who served on the board for 24 years totaling six terms. Shumways tenure included service as the board president from 2003 to 2008 and board vice president 2017 to 2020. Highlights listed included the district securing 400 tickets to attend the 2002 Winter Olympics, in 2001 setting aside $150,000 for seed money to build the Bluff Elementary school. During the past 24 years the district built new elementary schools in Monument Valley in 2011, Monticello elementary in 2014, Bluff Elementary in 2021 and construction of the new Blanding Elementary School underway now.
Members of the board also recognized Lyric Huffaker a student whose art design is featured on the front of the district Christmas card. The board also recognized employees Devon Gosney and Christina Boone with San Juan Sweet Job awards.
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