September 9, 2026 – Minutes

Agenda Items

1. Welcome and Introductions

Principal Brenda McCann welcomed the Council and introduced Misty Jolly, the school’s new Assistant Principal, who previously worked at Hillcrest for five years as a counselor before spending eight years at Corner Canyon.

Jeremy Hodgson, helping run the meeting until new officers were elected, welcomed returning and new members. The Council went around the room for introductions, and members shared their connection to Hillcrest and prior SCC experience.

A roster of members expected to return for 2026–2027 was circulated for members to confirm or correct their contact information; this list also served as the meeting’s attendance record.

2. SCC Elections

Jeremy explained that Stacy Timmerman (last year’s Chair) is no longer serving on the SCC since her children have graduated, and that Melissa Hodgson (last year’s Vice Chair) opted not to move into the Chair role this year, leaving all three officer positions open.

Chair

• Motion: Jeremy Hodgson volunteered to serve as Chair. No other nominations were made.
• Vote: Motion passed unanimously

Vice Chair

• Motion: Jeremy nominated Alisa Brough as Vice Chair.
• Second: Seconded from the floor.
• Vote: Motion passed unanimously.

Secretary

• Motion: Jeremy nominated Narendra Pandya as Secretary.
• Second: Seconded from the floor.
• Vote: Motion passed unanimously.

Action Item: Updated contact information and leadership roles will be posted to the website within the next few days.

3. SCC Training

Members were reminded that all SCC members are required to attend one district training session. Two sessions remain, both on Wednesday, October 7 at the Canyons District Office, 9361 S 300 East, Sandy, UT: 10:00 a.m.–noon and 6:00–8:00 p.m. Members attending on Hillcrest’s behalf were asked to sign the Hillcrest roster.

4. Items from Last Year – Updates

700 East Traffic and Student Crossing Safety / Safe Walking Routes

Administration reported that traffic conditions near 700 East remain a concern and have been complicated by ongoing recovery work at a nearby apartment complex damaged by fire (restoration company CertPro is currently on site cleaning up before rebuilding begins).

The Council discussed the “pork chop” traffic island near the bus entrance, which has not fully stopped parents from making unauthorized left turns to drop off students. Administration noted that adding barriers to prevent left turns would require UDOT/Midvale involvement, and that a separate walking-route entrance on the east side would require costly ADA-compliant grading and is not something the district has been willing to fund.

Members discussed re-issuing reminders (newsletter, Instagram, encouraging clubs to repost) asking families to use drop-off on the west side of the school, and generally agreed the issue is worth continued attention even though the Council has limited direct authority over the road.

Action Item: Re-issue reminders to families about west-side drop-off via newsletter and social media; keep 700 East traffic on the list of ongoing SCC topics.

Grading Practices and End-of-Term Zeros

Administration reported that the district’s new gradebook system (replacing Skyward) allows teachers to attach a note explaining why a grade shows as a zero (e.g., absent, excused). Most departments have moved toward standardized one- to two-week turn-in windows following the end of a unit. No final decisions have been made about continuing or adjusting the end-of-term zero practice; it will continue to be discussed with departments and the Building Leadership Team.

Council members raised concerns about the impact on students with anxiety or other executive-functioning challenges, the risk of the zero being misread as a final grade, and the importance of clear, earlier communication with families before zeros are entered.

Action Item: Administration will continue discussing grading practices and parent communication with school leadership and teachers.

Anti-Vaping Campaign

Administration reported that the three-day suspension policy adopted last year has significantly reduced incidents — from roughly 17 in a two-week period last year to about two so far this year. Administration plans to continue the current approach.

Cell Phone Policy

Administration reported that new state legislation on phone-free schools does not significantly change Hillcrest’s existing policy, since the law includes an exception for high schools during passing periods, lunch, and when allowed by individual teachers. The school continues to enforce a progressive response (warning, confiscation, parent pickup) and is considering a policy requiring students to leave their phone with a teacher in exchange for a hall pass, to address students using hall passes to access their phones.

5. PTSA Update/Coordination

Becca Staker reported PTSA has volunteers in nearly all areas, including this month’s parent-teacher-conference meal and Reflections in the fall, but is still looking for an adult volunteer to lead Student Club. She shared a QR code for PTSA membership ($10/year) and reported approximately 140 current members. The Council discussed options for growing membership and continuing spirit-wear fundraising at games and events.

6. Other Topics

Members discussed a recent fire drill in which the fourth floor took roughly nine minutes to evacuate. Administration acknowledged the delay and said it is continuing to work with newer staff on evacuation procedures.

7. Next Meeting – 2026–2027 Meeting Dates

The Council reviewed the proposed meeting schedule for the 2026–2027 school year: the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m.

• October 14, 2026
• November 11, 2026
• December 9, 2026
• January 13, 2027
• February 10, 2027
• March 10, 2027
• April 14, 2027
• May 12, 2027

Motion: Approve the proposed 2026–2027 meeting schedule as presented.

Vote: Motion passed unanimously.

Adjournment

Motion: Adjourn the meeting.

Vote: Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned.