Superintendent’s Corner

As Thanksgiving Approaches,

As we prepare for Thanksgiving this year, I am once again reminded of the bounty we have for our students in Garfield County. After being hit with about a $1.5 million reduction in revenues for several reasons, the district has fared well and is in a great financial situation to begin the new Bryce Valley Elementary School in Tropic.

Over the past several months, we have had several honors that went to our teachers and students. You recall Mr. Ryan Houston was selected for the Huntsman Award. Mrs. Beth Christensen was chosen the SEDC Region Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Jan Frandsen received the honor of 2017 Utah School Nurse of the Year. As well, several of our teams and coaches captured state titles in their sports.

Recently, the Utah State Board of Education recognized Escalante Elementary as a Utah Title I high performing school and they were nominated for the 2017 National Title I Distinguished School. Garfield 3rd graders from last year were honored by the USBE for their performance on Uniform Growth Goals (UGG). Our students came in with at 62% with a state average of 47.8%. We have much to be thankful for as we enter the Thanksgiving holiday. My thanks goes to the parents of our children who care to wake them, clothe them, and send them to our schools so they can learn and become functioning members of society. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Have a fun and safe weekend.

Tracy Davis, Superintendent – Garfield County School District