Education board approves roof, air conditioning project at CHS

By Sun Advocate

During the next two years a new roof and the installation of an air conditioning system will be completed at Carbon High School.
The decision to spend about $2.4 million on the project was made last Wednesday at the regular Carbon Board of Education meeting.
Utah Tile and Roofing was awarded the bid. Capital outlay monies will be used to complete the two-year project.
Work will begin as soon as school concludes for summer.
Deon Kone, Carbon School District supervisor of buildings and grounds, explained how the five-member committee came to select the firm that received the bid on the roof and air conditioning project
“It is not based entirely on the lowest price,” said Kone. Rather, companies that bid projects are scored on a number of areas, including price, previous performance and experience.
Utah Tile and Roofing is the company that rebuilt roofs on Sally Mauro Elementary School and the district’s board office building.
In an unrelated matter, Sharon Patten presented an overview of the school lunch program. She said the local district manages one of the most nutritious and financial efficient school lunch programs in the state.
“Building Healthy Children Ready to Learn” was a national theme at one of the early conferences Patten attended. The motto continues to stick at the Carbon School District.
“Menus are aimed at what children want, but must follow state and national guidelines,” explained Patten.
The guidelines specify the number of calories that must be offered and the levels of saturated fat, protein and sodium.
Two years ago, the local board joined a cooperative program used by 12 districts in Utah.
As a buying group, the districts are able to bring in vendors and purchase food at a much reduced cost.
There are several large school districts involved in the purchasing group, including Jordan and Granite.
Patten discussed the programs in Carbon district and explained theme days, selection of menus, funding and staff training.
Because the district purchases foods that are basically pre-cooked, the number of employees working in school cafeterias has dropped from 63 to 28.
Kristin Taylor, project chairman for the Carbon School District, discussed the newly formed Page Community Book Club and the reading project set for April 13 at the high school.
“I am really excited that our entire community, children, adults, neighbors and friends can join together to talk about books,” said Taylor.
The board also recognized the Carbon High girls basketball and diving teams for winning state championships.
“W appreciate all you do as a team and all the extra work the coaches do,” said board member Grady McElvoy
A letter from Brett Moulding, curriculum director of the Utah Office of Education was read at the meeting.
Recently, Carbon County hosted the group and Moulding expressed gratitude for the district’s hospitality on the Feb. 15 visit.
“The opportunity to spend the day with your students, teachers and administrators provided us uplifting and insightful experience,” said Moulding.
During the visit, the members of the group said they were impressed with the number of professional development opportunities available to teachers.
“Your support for staff development and learning communities reveals your deep commitment to increasing students achievement. Our specialists were also impressed with how well your elementary students focused on the instruction that their teachers delivered,” said Moulding. He recognized the teachers’ carefully articulated instructional plans and “how they delivered instruction on literacy through deliberate and meaningful lessons.”
Paul Brown, director of bands at Carbon High and Mont Harmon Junior High School, discussed recent performances. He recognized the Mont Harmon band students who performed at the Castle Country Junior High solo and ensemble festival on March 4. Each entry from the junior high in the band instrument category earned the highest rating of superior from the adjudicators. Mont Harmon band students generated 28 blue ribbons, the largest number earned by any of the participating schools.
Lane Hoyt was chosen as most outstanding woodwind soloist for his bassoon solo. The flute trio of Alexandrea Johnson, Farrah Nelson and Cami Maynes was chosen as most outstanding woodwind ensemble. Dayton Martindale and Lane Hoyt earned most outstanding piano ensemble and Alexandrea Johnson was selected as most outstanding piano soloist.
In an unrelated action, the board of education voted on changes in the employees standards of conduct around smoking issues. The motion, which was approved, took out all references to designated smoking areas.
No smoking is allowed on any school property.