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Show Vol. 55 No. 27 Thursday, April 10, 1888 Kantb, Utah 54741 Slngla Copy 25c SCHOOL BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT are Mated In the background aa music teacher Bill Roberta makes hla statement at the beginning of a public hearing regarding his position with the school district last Thursday evening. Hearing Brings Support for Music Teacher; Problems for Principal School Board Well over 200 Kanab residents attended the public hearing portion of the meeting of Kane County District School Board Thursday evening, April 3. The board members assembled for the schedule hearing in the auditorium at the Kanab Middle three-pointe- d School. The music program at the middle school and high school and its teacher, the business program at the high school and its teacher, and concerns of the Kane County Education Association were the three agenda items for this public hearing. One item, the business program, was postponed to allow further preparation. With the music program, administrative recommendation to the board was to not renew the contract of teacher Bill Roberts for the next school year. After brief formalities and a statement by Superintendent Ralph Starr that this hearing is to discuss the music program and teacher. Bill Roberts, and his evaluation and is not to be any character assassination, Roberts took the podium. He presented a letter of activities and accomplishments during his time as head of the schools' music departments over the past two school years. Roberts also tendered a tentative resignation to the board, which was accepted later in the executive session. At Roberts' request, a few copies of his evaluation were available for the audience's perusal. He then invited comments from the audience, a few of which were known to him and which he asked personally to speak. There followed 22 persons-teache- rs, students and parents--tellin- g of their support for Roberts. Many repeated his accomplishments, others pointed out fallacies in points of his evaluation. Cooperation on Roberts' part was mentioned repeatedly. OF EXPLANATION and acknowledgment of mlatakea was. given by Bob Newell, principal of Kanab High School. Dr. Nawell urged students and faculty alike to look forward positively In this assembly last Friday morning. WORD There was much support for the music program and Roberts visible uniforms for accomplishments-ne- w band and chorus, participation at athletic and other school events as well as community activities and programs for many of the organizations of the arson Many talked o his willingness to help and his dedication to the program. Accomplishments in competition were also pointed out. Support was also expressed for the evaluation process, support for one another and giving responsibility to those elected and those in authority. It was suggested that the principal isnt necessarily a bad guy, he has to do his job. It was also pointed out that Roberts evaluation was actually three spearate individuals evaluations at separate times. Looking them over shows each showed deficiencies and comments in the same areas. Eight points were presented by the Education Association represented by Carol Penney Corones, stating that they are concerned about some of the processes of the evaluation. The eight points asked (1) For fair and unbiased evaluations with nearly immediate feedback to the teacher and also that the appeal or grievance procedure be clarified; (2) Use the scale of 1 to 5 as established; (3) Where are the past evaluations? (4) Files on the teachers should be kept at the school or the district offices. 5. KEA officers should have access to the superintendent without fear of a negative evaluation; (6) Superintendent and the board should visit, attend and participate in school and activities more; (7) The principal's attitude has direct affect on the morale of teachers and students and learning in the classroom; (8) The evaluation process needs to be improved and the association will help. Superintendent Starr responded that each of these points have been discussed by the board and they are willing and want to work on them. He again said that no previous evaluations could be found in the school or at the district offices. He stated he has tried to keep his office open to anyone and everyone. Dr. Sarr offered that anyones attitude affects those around them. And, yes, he would promise a new evaluation form. There followed fourteen speakers, who proceeded to voice their personal incidents and objections to evaluations by high school principal Dr. Robert Newell. Some were at the microphone .more.. than once. Also speaking at this time was middle school principal John Aland, of the KEA, Jim president-elec- t Glover, students and sympathetic teachers from other district schools. Larson Crosby stated that, to him, an evaluation is to work together with administration, there should be no intimidation; it should identify ones weaknesses to enable growth and improvement. Many who spoke during the hearing on the music department also referred to the problems with the evaluations at the high school. When the public hearing agenda came to a close, Superintendent Starr stated that not only had a character assassination taken place with Dr. Newell as the victim, but that you have slugged him to death. Chairman Willis urged a stop to rumors as he adjourned the meeting in the district offices. to Before the public hearings, the ; Inspection and Codes board awarded their special award for April to the Gifted and Talented Class and teacher Mary Johnson from Kanab Elementary School. The classes' projects were on display at the media center at the school for parents and friends to view. A check for over $750 was reiunded to the district by Robert Houston, for the Houston family, donating their fee back to the music department for a dinner by the department which they catered. Superintendent Starr will submit his recommendations to the board on a graduation policy at the next meeting. The State Board of Education has set up the implementation of the core curriculum by 1988. Most districts are changing their policies to reflect these new standards, Starr reported to the board. After much consideration, study and input, architects Silver and Naylor will be asked to prepare remodeling plans for the present elementary school. The financial process to upgrade the school and just how the expansion will be done will continue to be studied. Refinancing and acquisition of additional property are part of this continuing study. Two students were approved to graduate early in the district. From .Valley- -' High School,. Jaura. Haatoa has completed her graduation requirements. Jeff Mosdell of Kanab will graduate with the class of 1986 this spring, having his requrements by the end of this year. fund-raisin- g In other items, the board Was told by Dr. Starr that the career ladder program was progressing well in the district. Discussed possible extension of the Johnson Canyon bus route to one more residence, restricted only by what the state will allow. New district office construction will go to bid in the next few weeks for location on district property south of KHS on Highway 89A. Will establish a summer school program policy before next year, acknowledging the requests for emedial classes again this year. Will probably have to provide a bus for the BullfrogTicaboo school transportation next year and Students, Principal, and Teachers Try to Reconcile On Friday morning, following an to any of your responsible quesabusive meeting Thursday evening tions, but now it's time to in which Kanab High School ourselves to open communications and the democratic principal Robert Newell was publicfor his part in the ly assassinated process. Let's forgive and forget. I teacher evaluation process, a will go 110 you do the same. Carol Penney Corones then spoke student assembly was called in to the group. She said democracy which principal, teachers and means we hear both sides. Both students attempted tr move back sides must meet in the middle. We to a different course" to mend must meet halfway, we cannot feelings and make the last seven weeks of school the greatest." expect one side to go all the way to the other. This is the democratic Principal Newell, earlier in the day, had met with several teachers and with the student council, and after discussions between them, they all decided to attempt the peace." Gene Heaton, studentbody the who was evening before, opened the meeting and stated he was sorry for the way he had said the things he said the night before. I am sorry for the As of Monday evening of this way I said those things. I am not week, a total of 17 persons have sorry for the way I feel, but for the stated their intentions to vie for the way I expressed those feelings. various Kane County elected posiNow let's go forward and make the tions. Staff at the county clerk's last seven weeks of this school year office expect more filings be the good," he stated. principal Newell then spoke to the official closing on Tuesday, April 15. Included in the number taking out assembly stating that he had talked their papers are: for County Sheriff, with some of the teachers and student council. He said he has Benny Riddle and Joe Gonzales; Jim Peters, Joe Johnson and Leon probably made some mistakes, Brinkerhoff for Justice expecially in communications, and of the Peace; Jim Scarth, County apologized for any mistakes. He said, I did what I thought was Attorney. honest and genuine." Filing for County Treasurer is Norma Bartorelli; for County The principal said, I will respond n Injured Deputy Bldg. modular classrooms the next. Approved the addition of more kitchen help for the new KHS facility. Is putting together a program for compensation for activities in areas other than sports. extra-curricul- Kane Countv Commissioners discussed injured Sheriffs Deputy Joe Gonzales, building inspection and codes and a computer trust among other items at their March 24 regular meeting. Commissioner Jay Ramsay was absent, Chairman Calvin Johnson and Vince Underwood and ClerkAuditor Kathy Chamberlain carried on the meeting. A letter to Weldon Glover, Kane County representative to the Computer trust, was Multi-Count- y reviewed and discussed. another office should have input into the software development and needs for data processing. Kathy Chamberlain was appointed to be the Kane County trust member. Sheriff Riddle told the commission about a motorcycle accident Deputy Gonzales has had, which will keep him from working for an indefinite period. Deputy Gonzales is hospitalized at present. Additional manpower was discussed. Sheriff Riddle suggested contacting Garfield County Sheriff to get Deputy Robert Judd to help this area possibly three days a week until Gonzales is back to work. The commissioners agreed and asked Sheriff Riddle to contact Garfield Sheriff Coon. Loyd Heyborne, building inspec- ter, reported--o- n attended not officially adopt the high standards. Building permits for small storage sheds, fences and other related buildings in farm or agricultural areas are exempt in the uniform building code from permit requirements but permits are required in urban residential areas. Heyborne also discussed some Utility being done in the Clark Bench area without planning com- mission approvals or building permits. Heyborne will check on the construction to make sure the proper procedures are followed by the parties involved. Dennis Mosdell, Justice of the Peace, discussed several items concerning his office. Some suggestions for increasing the efficiency were discussed as to docketing and office equipment. The County Attorney discussed several items with the commissioners regarding the 1985 hospital audit and the prior hospital accounts receivable which have been collected by his office. Some of the old accounts will be turned over to a collection company. The commission will review a list of the accounts and status of each. Fredonia Engages McArthur for Power Fredonias Town Council met April 1. Council members present were Dixie Judd, Georgia Heaton, Dean Heaton and Charlie Glaspie. Don Mackelprang was excused. Ted Shumway and Rudger McArthur were present concerning power and the studies and information needed. After lengthy discussion concerning the underwriters, bonding companies, feasibility studies and the like, as well as the sources of power, the council discussed with McArthur his interest in doing consulting work for the town. McArthur proposed to the council that he would work on this project at the rate of $20 per hour plus expenses not to exceed $2000. Mayor Dixie Judd made a motion to engage McArthur as a consultant for the above Seventeen Have Filed for Offices n meeting he in Richfield which focused process in action, sometimes it is painful, but it is the only way. She said it is time to forget these problems and make the remaining seven weeks of school good. There are many programs that must go forward." With renewed vigor the students were led in singing the new school song, and hopefully the problems will be resolved and forgotten, so the education process may move forward in a proper manner. Assessor are Drew Robinson and Dellas H. Sorensen; for County Recorder is VerJean Caruso. For two-yea- r County Commissioner those who have filed are Joe Wolfe and Vince Underwood. Don Fife, Joe Judd and Ray Lopeman have filed for four-yea- r County Commissioner, and Kathy Chamberlain has filed for the clerkaudi-to- r office. The final filing date for most offices is Tuesday, April 15, and the clerk's office expects to hsve more by that date. The JP office and school board candidates have until June to file for those positions. Glover requested that someone else be appointed as trust representative. He has represented our county since we joined the trust in 1983 and felt on a recommended model energy code. The standards for insulation and energy conservaiton in uniform building codes were discussed. Kane County has adopted the Uniform Building Code and suggested Heyborne advise people getting building permits of the recommended additional suggestions for energy conservaiton, but school. Here they start the tinging of the school song proposal, Shumway will write up the contract. Resolution 136 - Authorizing to make application to purchase power from Colorado River Power Agency was adopted with the stipulation that it is subject to review and recommendation by Shumway and McArthur. Don Mackelprang and Dean Heaton are requested to attend the meeting with the Western Area Power Agency in Las Vegas on April 17, 1986. Shumway told the council about the fees for the condemnation suit which are to be paid to the Town of Fredonia but there may be a problem in achieving this goal. A canvass of the votes of March 25, 1986 Primary Election: Votes cast were 151. Dean See Fredonia, Pg. 5 |