The Kane District has been awarded a grant in the amount of $216,265 for teaching Computer Science in K-12 classrooms in the upcoming school year, it was announced at the August 10, meeting of the Kane District Board of Education.
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) grant is part of the Utah K-12 Computer Science Initiative, begun in 2019 without funding, to implement K-12 computer science learning across all grades. Local Education Agencies (LEA’s) are required to submit strategic plans for expenditure of the grant funds. The funding will be used to pay for the software, materials, and teacher training and certification. Classes will include Web Development, Coding, and Computer Programming.
The funding will also provide high school students with the opportunity to earn certifications in various programs. For instance, each high school course in the software development pathway culminates in at least one industry-recognized certification. By the time students graduate they will have had the opportunity to earn a total of six industry certifications.
The application submitted by Kane District was described as “high quality” in the USBE letter awarding the grant. Congratulations to the district on receiving this important and helpful grant.
Kane District Superintendent Ben Dalton updated the school board on other USBE activity. In its August meeting, the USBE Adopted the Board’s Education Equity in Schools administrative rule R277-328, without amendment, following a July 22, public hearing. The rule mandates teacher training on equity and diversity while prohibiting teachers from suggesting that any race, religion, sex or creed is inherently superior or inferior to another, or that members of any particular demographic group are responsible for the past actions of individuals in said group.
District Business Manager Cary Reese reported that the district office is working to prepare for its annual independent audit beginning August 16. He also gave the board an update on the status of construction on the new Kanab Elementary School, a budget report update and an update on capital outlay projects underway in the district.
Superintendent Ben Dalton presented a letter concerning COVID that will be sent to all parents for the upcoming school year. The board reviewed this letter. Dalton also reported that Brent Smith will be the new School Resource Officer for the upcoming school year.
The school board approved a 2021-2022 board meeting schedule, the fraud risk assessment as completed by the school district, new school handbooks and the purchase of Christmas hams for district employees. The board is still considering the terms of proposed interlocal agreements for the use of district facilities. It will be reviewing all of its adopted policies. Most are model policies drafted by the Utah School Board Association - some will be deleted, others revised and others kept the same. It will also be reviewing Teacher Student Success Act (TSSA) plans for each school.
In other business, the board accepted the resignation of Nikolett Button (Kanab Middle School paraeducator). It approved the hiring of the following persons, pending a successful background check: John Baker (Big Water School part-time bus driver), Nicole Bateman (District Office Special Education compliance paraprofessional), Connie Crofts (Valley Elementary School (VES) paraeducator), Jerron Glazier (Kanab High School (KHS) Head Boys Basketball Coach), Kara Hall (Lake Powell School paraeducator), Sierra Jade (VES paraeducator), Amy Martinez (Food Service at both Valley schools) Kori Spencer (VES Teacher), Brenda Summers (KHS paraeducator) and Mariah Wheeler (KHS Library/Media Specialist). Congratulations to all.
