Student and School Updates

• PTA and Community Involvement: The district is re-organizing its PTA into a “council” model to align with a new state-level structure. This change aims to improve efficiency and communication with less time required from volunteers, without losing the district’s voice.
• Teacher and Student Well-being: There was a recognition of the extra work and patience required from teachers due to unexpected calendar changes at the beginning of the school year. The district expressed gratitude for community support and acknowledged that recent events have elevated anxiety, with a commitment to providing necessary resources.
• Construction Updates: The new construction at the high school and junior high is progressing on schedule. At the high school, foundations are in place, and masonry and steel are beginning to rise. The junior high is also on track, with tilt-up panels for the auditorium and gymnasium being cast and prepared for installation later in the month.

Student Policy and Program Updates

• Library Circulation and Reading: A presentation from the high school librarian highlighted a significant increase in library circulation after the new cell phone ban. In the previous year, circulation increased by 22% (over 10,500 books checked out), and hall passes to the library were up 34%. The data suggests that banning cell phones during class time has encouraged students to read for pleasure and to use library makerspaces more frequently, which were up 52%.
• Updated Policies: Several school policies were discussed for a second reading, including:
  • Bullying Policy: The policy has been updated to align with state requirements, including clearer definitions, specific action plans for all involved parties, and a prohibition on moving the victim without their request.
  • Firearm Safety Curriculum: The board approved a new firearm safety curriculum for students in grades 1 through 12, as mandated by state legislation. The curriculum, named “Let’s Stay Safe,” focuses on the acronym L.E.A.S. (Leave it alone, Educate yourself, Tell an adult, Share with friends). Parents have the option to opt their children out.
  • Student Progress and Graduation: Policies were updated to reflect new legislative requirements for graduation, including a new half-credit in social studies and the elimination of the Civics Exam requirement. The policy also clarified that students will receive up-to-date grades regularly and that administrators must allow cultural attire and sashes at graduation ceremonies.
  • Student Drug Testing: The policy for student-athlete drug testing was updated to align with the Utah High School Activities Association Handbook, changing consequences from suspension from school to suspension from the sport or activity.
• Early Learning Goals: The district presented its progress on state-mandated reading goals. Currently, 51.6% of Murray’s third graders are reading at grade level. The state’s goal is to have 70% of all third-graders reading at grade level by 2027.

Financial and Enrollment Information

• Grant Funding: The Murray Education Foundation (MEF) announced that it had received two significant grants: one for $45,000 from the Ron McBride Foundation for after-school programs, and another for $50,000 from the Boeing Corporation for the high school’s Kickstart robotics program. The MEF also announced that its annual golf tournament raised a record-high $33,000 in net profit, which will be used to fund 130 classroom grants for teachers totaling nearly $70,000.
• Financial Approvals: The board approved the use of 2026 funds to cover a deficit from the 2025 fiscal year for four schools that overspent their budgets.
• Enrollment Data: A review of district-wide enrollment showed a slight decline. Total student enrollment is 5,424, with 23% of students coming from outside the district boundaries.