Show 2SW Program Preps Minorities r J1 rrI "d1 aler The Salt Lake Tribune Wednesday June 20 1990 Progress Flows on Jordan River Parkway Continued From Page 1 covers about 600 acres of land along the river It offers everything from fishing to canoeing to golf and includes disabled access at most of its facilities "The Jordan River Park is one of the largest state parks we have as far as development and budget goes" said Glenn Stephens park superintendent "In addition to the developed park there are still several areas along the river that we haven't been able to do because of budget restraints" The state park includes parks at 800 South 1700 South the Utah State Fairpark Cottonwood Park at 350 North and the park headquarters at 1084 N Redwood Road There is a par-- 3 golf course at the headquarters and the model airplane port is at 1700 North North of the airport is an vehicle training center There are numerous canoe docks scattered along the river which is open to canoeing from 1700 South to 1000 North There are soccer fields baseball diamonds picnic areas pavilions and a disabled exercise course And there are several miles of paved and unpaved trails that wind through the trees along the side of the river They're open to pedestrians bicycles and horses "We've tried to do something for just about everybody out here" Mr Stephens said The features designed for flood control are there as well although they are a little harder to see "The whole concept is to open the river up build levies and then open it up again" Mr Stephens explained "If there is a flood it won't cause any damage and it gives us a great recreation facility" It also provides a relatively flat smooth area for trails And trails are what the Jordan River Parkway is all about The original concept was for a trail system covering the length of the valley Although none of the areas are now linked Mr Stephens said he thinks the idea will bear fruit — and in the not to distant off-roa- d future "Oh it will be finished" he said "The river is one of the better assets this valley has as far as urban recreation is concerned As people begin to appreciate the environment more they are going to put a lot of pressure on the Legislature to get it done" Bill Crocker Murray City Parks and Recreation agreed the parkway will be finished He said the only thing that will stop people from riding bikes from Deer Creek to the Great Salt Lake in the future is "the kind of shape they're in y "This is definitely a item for Murray City right now" Mr Crocker said "It's one of the high-priorit- few things I've really seen the council and the city get behind like this" of all the cities along the tver 4111--! park- way Murray is at the forefront of development he noted Right now Murray has completed the Murray Parkway Golf Course and has started buying the rest of the land it needs to complete the park from 6400 South to 4800 South Wetlands restoration has begun and trails are being built Mr Crocker proudly displays the tentative drawings of the development the city will undertake "I think a lot of the enthusiasm for the project does come from a new respect for the environment" he said "But I like to think other people have seen what Murray is doing and it's drummed up a lot of enthusiasm in other cities' Murray is building an extensive trail system through the wetlands that surround the river The wetlands will be either restored or left as they now are Blinds will be built so visitors can observe wildlife and an interpretive center is planned to help people understand the wetlands environment In addition the city will build ball diamonds canoe docks picnic areas and bridges across the river in areas "The city has spent a lot of time conducting neighborhood meetings finding out what the people want and we're trying to use those ideas in the plan' Mr Crocker said There will be parking for cars and buses as well as for horse and canoe trailers Mr Crocker said by leaving about 75 percent of the city's land in its natural state flood control is a natural process The wetlands should absorb any extra water he said with runoff water from the golf course used in dry years to maintain the marshes And the city will not have to pay as much to maintain the area Murray City isn't the only community on the river looking at development South Jordan already has a park and Salt Lake County and Riverton have proposed a golf course within that city's boundaries Midvale and Sandy have also been discussing improvements And Salt Lake County has begun work at Redwood Park the county's first stage of development "It's a big project Each city has to do its part " said Glen Lu director of parks and recreation for Salt Lake County "Everybody is getting interested in completing the trail now West and South Jordan have trails Murray's working If we all continue to work together we'll get them connected" And when they are done the entire valley will have something unique of which it can be very proud he said in '11 Center St - — - 1215 - City 0100001 CD 00 cc Owned le STATE OWNED Atti -0 a MODEL PORT i i 4- :: - e Canoe Docs 17th No - - Park Golf Course - N 0' PAR 3 GOLF COURSE 1 10th No Riverside Park t- - fr ( 4- t-- 4410 WI STATE FAIR PARK A A COTTONWOOD PARK North Temple § - 04- MIK am Et 3 0 0 4th So 1 '0 CD 8TH SOUTH PARK : cc :59 0"744 PAR 3 '( GOLF COURSE I h MOTO-- - Jordan Park & Pasco Gardens --- - X k COURSE 11 1700 So 2100 So AI - Glendale' Park A mf - - pupil-teache- student in grades 4 to 12 This year the Legislature increased the Weighted Pupil Unit — the basic formula for funding schools — from $1240 to $1346 But the $106 increase is not as ample as it may appear because additional funds must go toward utility costs pay raises and retirement benefits the district's budget summary states All district teachers will receive the $1000 raise granted by the Legislature as well as a percentage increase Dr Whittenburg said The textbook supply will be increased more computers will be provided and some improvements will be made in school environments The district also will continue to make its debt payments the superintendent added Jordan River Parkway development has exploded in northern Salt Lake County with southern areas awaiting funding Copies of the budget are available for review in the Administration Office 9361 S 300 East Sandy or at Salt Lake County libraries located in the Jordan District boundaries Patrons can purchase a copy of the document for $10 Total revenue for the next fiscal year which begins July 1 is estimated at $1892 million an increase of 4 Superintenpercent over 1989-9dent Whittenburg said Expenses will be about $1835 million leaving a fund balance of $517 million to carry forward to the next year In 1990-9district officials expect to serve about 64240 students an increase of about 1 percent The most significant change in the budget is the shift of revenue from buildings to classroom instruction 0 1 Oquirrh Students Pay Tribute to Old Glory Special to The Tribune WEST JORDAN — Students at Oquirrh Elementary School opened their hearts and creative talents in honor of our national symbol during recent Flag Day ceremonies Twenty-fiv- e pupils read poems and paragraphs on why the flag is special to them and why Americans should hold it dear Most were from Terri Pope's fourth-grad- e class with two from the school's intellectually handicapped cluster unit "The flag of our nation red white and blue stands for democracy pure and true" said Matt Yorgason in his poem "Our Flag" The poem reading was one of many activities to increase student awareness and patriotism Miss Pope said Students participated in art and math activities and discussions about the Star Spangled Banner Amoco Oil Company donated a tattered flag to the school which students studied touched and smelled Following the day's activities students teachers and parents marched to the nearby American Legion post where the flag was officially retired "This is a fun day in celebration of Flag Day of which we should all be proud" Miss Pope said Students who shared poems included Emily Ross Jake Flag By Emily Ross June 14th Is the time of year That we display our flag because it's very dear It's like a blanket a red white and blue one And it's a true one Red white and blue rippling in the sky All the planes see it as they pass by Fifty stars gleaming in the night Stands for freedom and also the right It reminds me of peace and liberty Of all of those who died for me Of equal rights for rich or poor I hope it waves forever more Wolfgramm Robert Erickson Matt Yorgason Jeremy Kay Becky Liddle Lindsey Hadley Jaclyn Davis Ginny Michaelis Bonnie Hayden Henning Ungerman Matt Bateman and Lisa Cooper Other participants included Dayn Christiansen Ben Gridley Nathan Moore Brad Belcher Andrew Walsh Bryce Somerville Shelly Smith Eliza Flores Ambyr Quincy Melissa Kastanis Annie GlinPs and Emily W Jordan Schedules Hearing On Certified Property Taxes Special to The Tribune WEST JORDAN — A public hearing on West Jordan's certified property tax rate will be heid August 9 in West Jordan City Hall officials recently announced A time has not been set The state's Truth in Taxation law requires municipalities to hold a public hearing if their tax rates are over and above the certified rate issued by the Salt Lake County auditor's office said Interim City Manager Jim Reams West Jordan wants to maintain its 1938 tax rate at 003180 which is higher than the county's 003043 for 1990 Though the city's rate is high er it does not mean residents will pay more taxes Mr Reams said "It is not the cities intention to increase taxes and we are anticipating that people will pay the same amount of taxes as in 1988" he said The city wishes to maintain the 1988 rate to keep incoming revenues at the same level Residents will only see an increase in their tax bill if the assessed value of their property has changed over what was proposed in 1988 he said The majority of property taxes will still fund general city operations with 29 percent going for capital projects French Students Seeking Local Hosts Host families are needed by WEST Programs (World Educational Student Travel) for visiting French students who'll spend four weeks in Utah July 3 through 28 The students 13 to 18 speak Eng lish are insured have chaperones and need hosts who can provide them with bed and board said spokeswoman Catherine Peterson South Jordan Mrs Peterson can be 3 reached at 254-128- Bountiful Class Sets Reunion 30-Ye- ar Special to The Tribune BOUNTIFUL — The Bountiful High Sch Ool class of 1960 has anrenounced plans for its union to be held Aug A golf tournament a family picnic and a dinner and program are planned activities The festivities begin August 3 at 9:30 am with a golf tournament at the Bountiful City Golf Course The cost is $21 which includes golf and mandatory carts A picnic for classmates and their families will be held at the Bountiful City Park from 5 to 10 pm that evening Families should bring their own meal The August 4 dinner and program will begin with a social hour at 6:30 pm at the Alta Club in Salt Lake City The cost which includes a memories booklet will be $30 for one person or $55 for two 30-ye- 3-- 4 11 through the Granite School District is attempting to change this cycle by preparing ethnic minorities and women for careers in science mathematics and engineering MESA — Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement — is a district program designed to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in math and science-relate- d professions Operating in five Granite District junior high schools the program attempts to stimulate minority students' interest in the sciences and encourage them to graduate prepared for the challenge of university studies "It's our own 'stand and deliver' program" boasts Tony Gonzales MESA director "MESA is just starting to break a chain that started centuries ago And it's about time that someone tried to break through the barriers" The program was developed in 1984 when Granite teachers and administrators observed a decreasing number of minority students graduating entering college andor enrolling in science and math studies "We discovered that there's an attitudinal feeling that minorities can't do well in science and math studies" Mr Gonzales explained "This feeling was killing the students long before they ever even dreamed of pursuing careers in the sciences They were treated as if they wouldn't succeed — therefore they didn't" The feeling went well beyond the students Mr Gonzales added "It went as far back as parents grandgreat-grandparen- None of them trusted the school system and they were afraid to let the kids venture into areas where they were told they would fail We had to get rid of these stereotypes" Close scrutiny showed the majority of minorities were failing to enter at the seventh grade level due to the selection criteria used by the school system to identify potential algebra students Mr Gonzales said "They weren't expected to enroll in the algebra courses so they weren't targeted as potential candpre-algeb- and Gutters J If Jordan School Board Votes to Hire 105 iew Teachers Special to the Tribune SANDY — The Jordan Board of Education unanimously adopted a 1990-9- 1 budget that maintains its current tax level and calls for 105 additional teachers But even with more educators parents won't see much of a reduction in class sizes "We can hire 105 additional teachers but we don't have 105 additional classrooms" Superintendent Raymond W Whittenburg said recently during his annual budget presentation to the board "We will have to be creative in grouping students" With the additional teachers offir cials expect 1990-9- 1 sturatios to be reduced by one-hal- f dent in kindergarten two students in grades 1 through 3 and eight-tenth- s Tribune Staff Writer For decades white males have dominated science engineering and mathematics Though ethnic minorities represent roughly 25 percent of the nation's population their share of the technical market is less than 5 iCurbs -- 1 Superintendent Whittenburg said Lawmakers approved a bill during the recent legislative session which allows local school boards to levy up to 2 mills of property tax to reduce class sizes Jordan will reappropriate 2 mills currently going toward construction of new buildings and apply the revenue to the district's operation fund "The decision to reduce capital-outla- y revenue is not expected to create any immediate building problems since the district has no current plans to build additional schools" the district's budget summary states "In the future as current buildings age and maintenance costs climb the capital-outla- y revenue will have to be reinstated" West Jordan City Council OKs Road Projects on Priority List Special to The Tribune WEST JORDAN — The City Council has approved seven city-roa- d projects placed on a priority list in March Money from the city's class "C" road fund will be used for road striping subdivision overlays curb and gutter repair and flashing intersection lights The funds are allotments given to the city by the state from West Jordan's share of a traffic light at 1300 West and Winchester Drive cost $12000 — $10500 under projected figures A light at 2700 West and 7000 South also cost less than originally expected — $10000 less than the projected $55000 price tag Included in the final seven projects are flashing lights at 4000 West and 9000 South and 4000 West and Old Bingham Highway Curb and gutter will also be installed along 7000 South from Camelot (7175 South) to 3200 West A number of the projects will be completed this summer and fall with larger ones finished by next summer Mr Reams said The council also approved the transfer of $22500 from a contingency fund to the "C" road list The money was originally slated for mayor's posifunding of a full-tim- e tion and will be used for future projects Mr Reams said revenues and gasoline-sales-ta- x must be used for road projects The council approved 19 projects in March with 12 of those given funding at that time The remaining seven were tabled until "the council could get a better feel of the outcome of the 1990-9- 1 fiscal budget" said Interim City Manager Jim Reams The city is completing 12 of the projects which include traffic signals at three intersections curb and sidewalks and traffic gutters counters Six of the projects are totally or partially finished with two coming in under budget :'': ' W Jordan Olis Plan to Vote '' Issues Special to The Tribune WEST JORDAN — City Council members approved placing two controversial issues on the November ballot following extensive public and staff input Voters will decide whether West Jordan should district a portion of its council seats and whether the city should move its mayor from part-tim- e e to Both issues have been discussed during recent budget public and council meetings The council has proposed districting four seats while keeping three including the mayor The districts would have council members elected from equal areas which officials believe would better suit West Jordan's constituency Opponents believe increasing the council's size and having officials chosen from one area could result in partisan voting and misrepresentation of city residents as West Jordan continues to grow full-tim- Council members have also planned to make the mayor's posito better suit the needs tion full-timof the city The council set aside $45000 in a contingency fund for a e mayor's salary but moved $22500 to the city's road fund when the issue was approved for the election The remaining $22500 would pay the mayor's salary from January to June if voters approve the measure Interim City Manager Jim Reams - ' ' -' K 'i - t'' 4' 444 :: - 3'::!54rpt:"''-:i:'::::::?- fl! "::: ? TWO ' :::':::Hi':::::ni::5'5iii:AY:":: " On iil'1 :' 0 4f:!?:4::R:4: :: ::: r::-::- J:::e:r:-::- i t :?t:'4:: i— - y4 :o4 : iJ5:a':?:ts-f- ::::::-- ii ' :1 ? :::::1 !'::r?:::::: ::?::::::::$:!: i:: :' 1:' ::::::::::I:: '::-- :4:::'i''ii::i'-:- 44 :'' 0::-"::::'::?- 0'''''':''::''::''' 11:''4 ': :'To ra i':::::':- ::::('' ':)':' :: :' !' ' ':' ' k :''i3 1::!:z-- p I' f ': ''''::'''S'l' - - '1- ' !' if1 f: ': ''::: s::: 1'::t'1rel :'::::'''':i''::- t':'::'- -- -' ':11' -- : 42(1 :'t' :::' ":' ' ':: :i'-- s : '' Jake is a :' : 4' ': i'ex tei 4 :li --:44':0 ' t:41'':4: t:'!:''' f' -- '':ri ::: :'""9 ' :''- i:tt fyi40Lv111i:':-7':- ii e'!-(- ?0:- 04 ': x- - i:lt 1:!': :::::::'1:::::::::::::'::1!:::':—:::::7 ''' A' ' 4'1 :: ' '::'- :V4' t:- ':': i i' ) (V'''-'-''- : il 'r 11 4 4 i'''':l ::i :7:' o - r!'--' - t:'''::fil-!S" ''':- - tr'-:'-- I''' :':i-:- ':': " l' -:- ? oli4''4 :!:l '4:'':Al:::'::: :v t 4- k' :'' 1':0 ) 44:i-:4- :' i::? ':4:'' ::4'-- 4:) I :::::::f: - ::: f ': zfz' :::e:4 :?:4 4:: : : ::::::Iji:::i:7:i:: full-tim- The election will require some funding but cost has not yet been computed he added :::: e 1'!)7"!3: ' 11::'':::: 40: : :: e said :' : :: ' - !' '?fik - ' 4° ' :' 'Y::1'': :' '4Tkiitimc4'ftx '':A cil177 1 '!40 1 A: ':' : :::: ' e!ZI s: :' : -- '' ' '''' : ' - 447' i74444mo 401046 ii44t adult Boxer mix that sits on command and will gladly shake a loving person's hand Ile can be adopted from Salt Lake County Animal Services 511 W 3900 South for a $55 fee The shelter also has a variety of felines available for adoption during Adopt-A-CMonth d at : 1' Pet of the 'Week well-behave- i 11q dates We were losing them between the sixth and seventh grade" Targeting the district's sixth-grad- e students MESA coordinators developed a specialized math class for ethnic minorities and women who had good attendance records and a favorable attitude about school Though they were placed in a separate class the students followed the same course curriculum as their fellow students We found that in a typical math class the ethnic minorities and women were not called on by the teachers and not a whole lot was expected out of them" Mr Gonzales said "But once we put them in a specialized class and the teachers 'demanded' a lot from them their grades began to improve drastically" MESA students are required to take a college preparatory program consisting of four years of math science and English After the initial "specialized" math class they are mainstreamed into the regular math and science courses "The program has been very positive for our minority students" said Tim Dyson principal at Kearns Junior High School "A quick check shows the students' grades have improved quite a bit this year It's a positive way to get these minority kids in areas that they were previously afraid to venture in to" The success of the program can also be measured at PTA meetings Mr Gonzales noted "At any other PTA meeting you'll see one maybe two ethnic parents But at the MESA club meetings you'll see dozens You see a pride in the parents that was not there before" In addition to the specialized math class MESA students are provided tutoring by peers or volunteers summer enrichment and employment programs and academic university and career advising aimed at assisting them in selecting high school or university programs They also receive regular discussions on study techniques communications skills interviewing job and college applications and self image The program is carried through to the high schools and even as far as the college level MEP — Minority Engineering Program — is the sister program to MESA and was established by the University of Utah's College of Engineering in order to provide continuing support to minority students on the college level By Stephanie Banchero parents and Indiana Ave - qt- percent But a program administered - 71v41107m:- - ILA-411111- ' |