MURRAY PRESCHOOL UPDATE

May 11, 2008

Murray Preschool Update

Attention Parents,

THANK YOU all for your overwhelming support and response in contacting the Murray City School District Board, Administration Office and the Murray City Council in an effort to keep our children’s preschool open.

The HUGE attendance at last week’s meeting was key in meeting two of our original goals:

1. The continuation of the preschool program for many years to come. 2. The retention of the current teaching staff including Mrs Debi Evans.
Current Status:
As promised, the Murray School District administrators have been working diligently on restructuring the preschool so that it remains an affordable, high quality program that complies with the state mandates. I have learned that they have proposed a plan that will

1. Keep tuition at the current rate~ Which is great news however, the other key component to the plan is of some concern to me as a parent.
2. Mrs. Evans will no longer be the Director. Instead, there will be an off-site person acting as the director. Mrs. Evans’ position will change as follows:
a. Clerical Duties b. ½ time teaching c. ½ of salary cut

Note: I am disappointed that after 20+ years of service and creating this outstanding program the district is placing such little value on her professional/industry knowledge and tenure in the district.

Next Steps:
We need ALL of you to come to the Murray School Board meeting on Wednesday May 14, 7:00 pm at the district office, 147 East 5065 South and speak in support of:

Our Director, Debi Evans- why demote Debi as director????
What is the new “Model” under which the program will be run?
What will be the overall health of the program, the children and the staff without Debi at the helm?

CRITICAL: In order to speak during the “Patron Comments” section, you must call the District Office, 264-7400 OR arrive 5-10 minutes early and sign the “Patron Comment” sheet located outside the board room.

Final Note: The theme and message to the Board and the District Office during Wednesday’s meeting is:

“We the parents are keeping our eyes on you and our preschool!”

We don not want to loose what we have and it is therefore critical that our School Board knows how we feel about this matter.

Can’t Attend the Meeting: Please voice your concerns by calling/emailing the following people:
Murray School Board
District #1 Mitzie Huff mhuff@murrayschools.org
District #2 Laura Baker lbaker@murrayschools.org
District #3 Darrell Pehrson dpehrson@murrayschools.org
District #4 Lloyd Naylor lnaylor@murrayschools.org
District #5 Marge Tuckett mtuckett@murrayschools.org
Murray School District Office
Richard Tranter-Superintendent of Schools rtranter@murrayschools.org 801/264-7400
Steve Hirase- Assistant Superintendent of Schools shirase@murrayschools.org 801/264-7400

Thank you all,

Petra Winegar, Parent PTA Legislative VP 801/949-1009 Pwinegar10@comcst.net