Skip to content

DATE:
August 27, 2026

TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
School Safety Specialists 

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Buddy Alger, Director of Student Services
Matt Alvernaz, School Safety Coordinator

SUBJECT:
Monthly Drill Preparation (SECURE)


Our monthly drill preparation will be held on September 2nd at 2:40 PM, 3:10 PM, and again at 3:40 PM. Each session will last about 20 minutes. This month we will be covering SECURE.  Each school safety specialist is expected to attend.  All other administrators are welcomed to attend as well. The meeting is also opened to any staff who may be interested as well. 

After each monthly training all school staff should be trained by the administrator over school safety and the school safety specialist. After being trained each month, teachers should educate their students on each safety drill. Additionally, schools should communicate with their patrons regarding Standard Response Protocol(s) (SRP) and the drill being conducted each month. Videos, handouts, and other resources can be found at the link(s) below.  

Information regarding the SECURE response protocol can be found in the Jordan School District Safety Manual on pages 8-11. 

We will discuss how to implement and execute the drill.  This will be an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas amongst the schools.

We will be holding this meeting over ZOOM so please join using this link.

TO:
All Administrators & Program Directors

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Lisa LeStarge, Administrative Assistant


At we start the 2026-27 school year, we want to remind you about the master calendar for the District. You can find it on mastercal.jordandistrict.org. This calendar is intended to inform principals, administrators & District personnel of district events and due dates (it does not include individual school events).

If you would like to copy anything on this calendar to your personal google calendar, simply click on the “see more details” link and then copy it using the three vertical dot (options) button.

To search for an item in the master calendar, you can use Command+F (Apple) or Control+F (PC). This will bring up a search bar where you can type a few key words to help you find the information you are seeking.

If you would like to add a district event or make a revision to the master calendar, please contact Lisa LeStarge at 801-567-8120 or lisa.lestarge@jordandistrict.org.

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources

Mike Trimmell, Ed.D., Assistant Director Talent Development

 SUBJECT:
Crucial Policies for New Hires


With recent updates with Qmulativ and Vector, we are working through crucial policies for new hires. The Vector course new hires are assigned is based on the new hire sheet submission date. 

New Hire Sheet Submission Date Before 8/10/26: Crucial policies were completed as part of onboarding. The only course that must be completed after onboarding is the “Child Abuse Mandatory Reporting” course in Vector. This single course will be assigned in Vector. 

New Hire Sheet Submission Date After 8/10/26: Crucial policies will be completed through Vector after onboarding. This is for every employee hired after 8/10/26 moving forward.    

Also, please note that due to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees should be given time to complete crucial policies while on the clock. 

If you have questions regarding Crucial Policies, contact Mike Trimmell, Ed.D. in Human Resources:

Phone: 801-567-8462
Email: michael.trimmell@jordandistrict.org

TO:
Directors, Administrator & Administrative Assistants

FROM:
McKinley Withers, Administrator of Employee Experience & Wellness

SUBJECT:
Support & Planning for Pregnant Employees: “Expecting Jordan” Consultations


Dear Employees, 

Navigating maternity leave, insurance changes, and sub coverage shouldn’t feel overwhelming. “Expecting Jordan,” is an initiative led by the Employee Experience and Wellness Team. One-on-one consultation sessions are offered to help pregnant district employees through their leave and transition process. 

What we cover in our consultation:

  • FMLA & Leave Applications
  • Substitute Coverage 
  • Insurance & Dependent Coverage
  • District Childcare & Benefits
  • Lactation Accommodations and Mental Health Resources
  • Other wellness needs and resources

If you are currently expecting and planning your leave, please sign up for a 1-on-1 consultation time with Paige Wightman using our online form

Congratulations on your growing family!

Link to flyer: 

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Michelle Love-Day, Director of Language & Culture Services


We want to provide you with one place to find the information to support the Language and Culture in your school. Here you will find:
1. Information on commgap
2. How to prepare for Title III compliance
3. Fall Family fair
4. Giraffe club, presentations and other school support.

 

DATE:
August 20, 2026 
  

TO:
All Administrators  
  

FROM:
Ian Roberts, Director of Facility Services  
 

SUBJECT:
2026-2027 Facility Services Contact Updates 


Facility Services has a number of updates to personnel for the 2026 – 2027 school year. You  will find the updated contact information and area responsibilities within the facilities department below. Refer to Facility Services web page for any additional information. Please  share these updates with your administrative assistants and custodians.

 

 

TO:
Administrators and Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll


Annual Leave During the Contract Days Before School Starts
All Licensed Employees

8/10/26-8/17/26
Licensed employees may not use annual/personal leave during the contract days before school starts. However, they may, through correlation with the principal, arrange to exchange one of these days for another non-contract day.

Annual or Personal Leave During the First Five Days of School
All Licensed and ESP Employees

8/19/26-8/25/26 Elementary Schools
8/18/26-8/24/26 Secondary Schools
8/18/26-8/24/26 District Offices Auxiliary Services

DP335NEG-Annual Leave-Licensed
DP335B-Annual Leave-Education Support Professionals

Per District policy, annual or personal leave days may not be used during the first five days of school, unless the leave reason is listed in policy as an exception. If any of the exceptions do apply, you must provide both the leave reason and the policy exception in the time off description. If the leave reason does not meet the policy exceptions, Licensed employees will be docked $170 and ESP employees will be docked 40% of their daily rate.

DATE:
Thursday, August 20, 2026

TO:
All School Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Assessment, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT:
Record of August 11th Professional Learning Day Attendees


School administrators may access a Tableau dashboard that contains a record of all educators who signed in using the QR codes for the morning keynote sessions during the August 11th professional learning day.  The dashboard may be accessed here.  Administrators may also filter the list by conference location.

For questions about this dashboard, please refer to Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability.

DATE:
August 13, 2026

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources Melissa
Flores, General Counsel
Buddy D. Alger, Director, Student Services
Caleb Olson, Enrollment Consultant, Student Services

SUBJECT:
August 2026: Responding to Subpoenas and Other Orders


Subpoenas and other court orders received by schools require immediate attention and response. There are legal requirements for responding that must be met, meaning schools cannot respond on their own. When school staff wait to request assistance in responding, even if only by a day or two, the District’s ability to either challenge the subpoena or meet the compliance deadline is hampered.

Please note that a subpoena is different from a record request. Record requests from the parent/guardian or eligible student can be processed by the school. In the event of confusion as to what the request is, contact Caleb Olson.

For subpoenas or other court orders regarding student records:
• The receiving school staff member should immediately notify the site administrator. Under DP367 - District Records Management, the site administrator bears responsibility for records at each site or location.
• The site administrator (or receiving staff member, if directed) should send a copy of the subpoena or order to Caleb Olson via MoveIt the day it is received. Caleb Olson will coordinate the District’s response with the site administrator.

For subpoenas or other court orders regarding employees or employee records:
• The receiving school staff member should immediately notify the site administrator. Under DP367 - District Records Management, the site administrator bears responsibility for records at each site or location.
• The site administrator should send a copy of the subpoena or order to April Gaydosh (HR Administrator) and Melissa Flores (General Counsel) via MoveIt the day it is received. Further information will be provided to the site administrator.

For other court orders, including search warrants or orders where the staff is unclear as to the purpose, the site administrator should provide a copy of the order to General Counsel Melissa Flores via MoveIt AND should make contact via phone or text as soon as reasonably possible.

TO:
Principals

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning


In June 2026, administrators across the district shared excellent ideas and strategies for incorporating Portrait of a Graduate characteristics in their schools and departments. Check out these links to individual schools to reflect on the good ideas that were shared and to inspire your team to think intentionally about how POG can become part of your Academic, Behavioral, or SEW systems in your school.

TO:
Principals & Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Katie Bastian, Director of Nutrition Services


Spread the word! Let your families know Free & Reduced Meal Eligibility Notification Letters are electronic going forward. Parents will receive their Free & Reduced Eligibility Letter by email and it is also available to view and print in Skyward Family Access. See the attached instructions for assistance. Contact Nutrition Services with any questions.

TO:
Administrators and Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll


Annual Leave During the Contract Days Before School Starts
All Licensed Employees

8/10/26-8/17/26

Licensed employees may not use annual/personal leave during the contract days before school starts. However, they may, through correlation with the principal, arrange to exchange one of these days for another non-contract day.


Annual or Personal Leave During the First Five Days of School
All Licensed and ESP Employees

8/19/26-8/25/26    Elementary Schools
8/18/26-8/24/26    Secondary Schools
8/18/26-8/24/26    District Offices & Auxiliary Services

DP335NEG-Annual Leave-Licensed
DP335B-Annual Leave-Education Support Professionals

Per District policy, annual or personal leave days may not be used during the first five days of school, unless the leave reason is listed in policy as an exception. If any of the exceptions do apply, you must provide both the leave reason and the policy exception in the time off description. If the leave reason does not meet the policy exceptions, Licensed employees will be docked $170 and ESP employees will be docked 40% of their daily rate.

TO:
Directors, Administrators, Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Mike Trimmell, HR Assistant Director


Vector reports allow you to see who has or has not started and who has completed crucial policies. Every principal and director has access to these reports. 

Please let us know who else you would like to have access to these reports at your site / in your department. Please fill out the form below to grant access to reports for your school / department. 

VECTOR REPORTS ACCESS FORM

Crucial Policies Due Date:
September 15, 2026

Questions:
If you have questions regarding Crucial Policies or Vector Reports, please contact Kyla Robertson or Mike Trimmell in Human Resources:

Phone: 801-567-8150

Email: kyla.robertson@jordandistrict.org / michael.trimmell@jordandistrict.org

TO:
Principals and Administrators

FROM:
Mike Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Lisa LeStarge, Administrative Assistant


We are pleased to announce that Jan Hoegh's principal training, originally scheduled for June 2026, will now be on October 6th during our scheduled principals’ meeting.

To keep our fall schedule balanced, we have updated our November dates:
Principal Meeting will now be held on November 3.
Assistant Principal Meetings will be held on November 10 and November 17.
All meetings will still take place at the JLC.

DATE:
August 6, 2026

TO:
All Administrators and Administrative Assistants

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources

SUBJECT:
Administrative Assignments


New Assignments effective July 2026:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
• Rebecca Lee
Rose Creek Elementary
Rebecca Lee, previously transferred as Assistant Principal to Westvale Elementary, transferred as Assistant Principal to Rose Creek Elementary.

ADMINISTRATIVE INTERNS
• Angelica Garrido Cardenas
Heartland Elementary
Angelica Garrido Cardenas, DLI Specialist with USBE, assigned as Administrative Intern at Heartland Elementary

• Jeremiah Clark
Majestic Elementary
Jeremiah Clark, Assistant Principal at Spectrum Academy-North Salt Lake, assigned as Administrative Intern at Majestic Elementary

• Daisy DeMarco
Oquirrh Elementary
Daisy DeMarco, Teacher at Silver Crest Elementary, assigned as Administrative Intern at Oquirrh Elementary

•Camille Haynie
South Jordan Elementary
Camille Haynie, Librarian/Media Specialist at Providence Elementary, assigned as Administrative Intern at South Jordan Elementary

•Holli Mattingly
Westland Elementary
Holli Mattingly, Teacher at Copper Canyon Elementary, assigned as Administrative Intern at Westland Elementary

•Polla Slade
Foothills Elementary
Polla Slade, Teacher at Mountain Creek Middle, assigned as Administrative Intern at Foothills Elementary

•Debra Jane Smith
Westvale Elementary
Debra Jane Smith, Teacher at Riverside Elementary, assigned as Administrative Intern at Westvale Elementary

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Mike Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Buddy Alger, Director of Student Services
Caleb Olson, Enrollment Consultant, Planning & Enrollment


The 2026-27 updates of the “Assistant Principal Directory” have been finalized and are available in Drive at the link below. You must be signed in to your Jordandistrict.org account to access the directories:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AcCkUKXwOZ-pTenJzwX5lVI0u_JG_X84?usp=drive_link

These links will be valid all year and any updates will be saved to these locations.

If changes or corrections need to be made, you may contact Caleb Olson in Student Services or make the changes on the web version of the directories found at the previous link.

TO:
Directors, Administrators, Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Ami Shah, Compliance Officer


Workplace Accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act

If you believe you need a workplace accommodation because of a physical or mental impairment, please contact the compliance office to begin the interactive accommodation process. The compliance office will work with you to explain the process, discuss your request, and determine whether any supporting documentation is needed.

Please direct these requests and related questions to:

Ami Shah
Compliance Officer
Email: ADArequest@jordandistrict.org or ami.shah@jordandistirct.org
Phone: 801-567-8172

Please see the attached flyer for additional information. We encourage you to share the flyer with any employee who reasonably indicates they may need workplace assistance for a medical reason or otherwise requests assistance securing an ADA accommodation. 

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
David Bowman, Assistant Director of Systems and Security


The district-wide student YouTube block will be put in place, discontinuing direct student access to YouTube from their Chromebooks beginning August 18, 2026. This change applies only to student accounts.

Teachers will continue to have access to YouTube and may use instructional video content with students through MyVideoSpot. MyVideoSpot allows teachers to import videos from YouTube and other sources, create custom video links, remove advertisements, and select specific start and end points for classroom use. These videos can then be easily shared with students through Canvas, Nearpod, Google Slides, and other instructional tools.

Training and support resources are available through the Innovative Coaching team.

To access additional training information, please see the JAM below:

https://jam.jordandistrict.org/2025/11/20/myvideospot-for-student-youtube-access/

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Daniel Ellis, Director of Accounting and Audits
Natalie Grange, Accounting Administrator


The 2026-2027 School allocations have been provided for your review. See the attached file for allocations, your carryover balances, and estimated headcounts. A detailed breakout of the in lieu budget showing the breakout between 165, PD meals 638, and staff rewards 639 is included on the last page.

School allocations will be updated in November after the October 1 headcounts are finalized by the State. Budgets will not be adjusted for the virtual schools.

Budget transfers can be submitted, using the attached form, to Natalie.Grange@jordandistrict.org.

If you have questions please contact Natalie Grange at 88312 or at Natalie.Grange@jordandistrict.org.

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Michelle Love-Day, Director of Language and Culture Services


We are excited for our annual Fall Family Fair on Monday, Aug. 31 from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan. All Jordan District students and their families are invited to come celebrate back to school with us and become familiar with the District and the Community.

Come out with your family, enjoy snacks from the food trucks, win prizes, and get to know the district community.