Comments about ‘Canyons School Board tables code of ethics plan amid disagreement’

It's just one thing after another with this district; it's gone from a quiet, well run Jordan district to a cash strapped incompetent one.

The Canyons School Board, and the district top leadership are a case study in dysfunctional organizations and inflated egos.

Voters really need to get new members on the board, and new leaders in the administrative positions.

Our children deserve better, both as leaders and managers in delivery of their education, and as exemplary role models.

Why does this board even think it needs a code of ethics? They are each elected officials elected to represent the people of their precincts. They are NOT to speak with one voice but to represent their specific area and its concerns. The issues in Cottonwood Heights are not the same as those in Draper. And since when can the board throw off a member from the board? They are elected officials! I encourage everyone to vote in the upcoming election and vote in NEW board members.

The school board is in need of training in Policy Governance. Essentially, you have 2 groups on the board - one group is operating under Policy Governance principles, which principles mandate that the Board interfaces with the District THROUGH the CEO (Superintendent). It would be a violation of PG for a Board Member to act upon their own volition and go around the Superintendent to interview District employees.

PG is used by many school boards nationwide and has been shown to be a very effective means of leading from a board level.

If you don't implement Policy Governance, you have lots of problems, like gossip that rises to the level of board action and people who yell the loudest getting heard, and all sorts of unfair and crazy behaviors. I have served on several boards - and have also been a CEO - in both Policy Governance environments and non PG ones. I would NEVER agree to serve on a board that was not following PG principles, nor would I act as CEO in an organization whose Board didn't use PG.

The Canyons Board is on the right track - they need to formally adopt Policy Governance.

Is anyone really surprised?

My personal dealings with this District and the Board have been negative. The Board does not respond to requests for help from concerned parents and they ignore public requests for an investigation of the Superintendent despite the gathering of 1000 names in less than 3 days requesting such.

We recently sued this District and had a 4 day Special Education hearing in June. The most outrageous thing is this District argued that they only have to provide "some benefit" to disabled kids and that they've provided an appropriate education even if regression occurred as long as there has been "some benefit" in some area. All this while promoting to anyone they can that they believe and are preparing every student to be college and career ready by graduation. Really? Seems this standard applies to everyone except the disabled.

It's very sad - until this Board realizes they were voted into office, they are not entitled to it and they require the Superintendent to report to them rather than vice versa nothing will change.