General Information

Government Type

Charter School

Entity

Salt Lake Arts Academy

Entity Website

http://www.slarts.org

Public Body

Salt Lake Arts Academy

Notice Information

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Notice Title

2026-06-15 Governing Board Retreat PENDING Minutes

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

June 15, 2026 12:00 PM

Description/Agenda

Salt Lake Arts Academy PENDING June 15 2026, 12 - 4 pm 55 W. 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT Board Members in Attendance Amy Fehlberg (entered after public comment discussion), Claudia Geist (departed prior to adjournment), Kelly Goff, Greg Ostrander (Board Chair), Reid Prentice, Whitney Provo (entered after public comment discussion), Shantel Stoff (Board Treasurer), and Amy Yuda (entered after public comment discussion). Board Members Excused Diana Cabrales (Board Secretary), Kimberly Venable, and Nick Vienneau. Board Note Catherine Palmer resigned from the Governing Board prior to the meeting, reducing board membership before the meeting was called to order. Quorum A quorum was established. Board membership stood at 11 following Catherine Palmer's resignation. Five board members were present at the start of the meeting, with additional members joining later in the meeting. Call to Order Board Chair Greg Ostrander called the meeting to order. Approval of May 18, 2026 Minutes The Board reviewed the May 18, 2026 meeting minutes. Discussion included correcting the sequence of events related to returning to open session and engaging legal counsel, as well as revising the Finance Report section to reflect that Nicole Laird provided the report. Motion: Claudia Geist moved to approve the May 18, 2026 minutes with the discussed revisions. Second: Kelly Goff. Vote: Unanimous. Motion carried. Approval of Addenda to December 15, 2025 and January 26, 2026 Minutes The Board reviewed proposed addenda addressing procedural deficiencies identified in connection with the December 15, 2025 and January 26, 2026 meetings, including public notice timing, closed session agenda descriptions, documentation of roll call votes, and clarification regarding closed session recording exemptions under Utah Code § 52-4-205(1)(a). Minor edits were discussed and incorporated. Motion: Kelly Goff moved to approve the addenda to the December 15, 2025 and January 26, 2026 meeting minutes. Second: Claudia Geist. Vote: Unanimous. Motion carried. Discussion of Public Comment from Prior Meeting The Board discussed concerns raised during public comment at the May meeting regarding the school's response to a student walkout and protest event. Discussion included the school's responsibility to maintain student safety and supervision during school hours, communication previously sent to parents regarding procedures for students wishing to participate in the demonstration, and administrative actions taken to ensure students did not leave campus without parent authorization. The Board also discussed the use of staff vehicles in limited circumstances involving student supervision and transportation, existing practices regarding emergency transportation of students and field trip support, and whether additional communication regarding transportation practices should be included in parent materials. Additional discussion addressed concerns raised by the family regarding retaliation and participation in school events. Deborah Candler clarified existing procedures related to student performances and promotion activities. No action was taken. Principal's Report Deborah Candler presented the updated Three-Year School Improvement Plan. Discussion included: Arts integration and interdisciplinary learning initiatives. Student exhibitions and community showcase events. Assessment practices and reading comprehension measures. Writing improvement initiatives supported through Land Trust funding. Enrichment opportunities for advanced learners. Department collaboration and data-driven instructional practices. Accreditation and teacher mentoring efforts. School climate and culture initiatives, including continued implementation of RISE expectations. Attendance improvement efforts. Social-emotional learning supports for students. Community outreach and parent engagement initiatives. Facilities, technology, and safety improvements. Board members discussed implementation priorities, workload considerations, student engagement, and attendance trends. No action was taken. Blind Mule Consulting Update Deborah Candler reported on the school's work with Blind Mule Consulting to strengthen behavior systems, classroom management practices, and student engagement. Discussion included teacher and parent feedback, progress made during the current school year, continued support for individual teachers, and plans to reduce consulting frequency while maintaining support during the upcoming school year. Motion: Amy Yuda moved to approve continuation of services with Blind Mule Consulting for the 2026-2027 school year as presented. Second: Shantel Stoff. Vote: Unanimous. Motion carried. Finance Report Nicole Laird reviewed the current year budget and provided a financial update. Nicole Laird reported that expenditures were tracking appropriately and noted receipt of matching funds associated with the SLArts24 campaign. The Board discussed year-end financial projections and the anticipated approval of the final budget following completion of the annual audit process. No action was taken. Approval of 2026-2027 Budget Nicole Laird presented the proposed 2026-2027 operating budget. Discussion included revenue projections, legislative funding estimates, salary and benefit increases, maintenance planning, reserve levels, and anticipated expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year. Motion: Reid Prentice moved to approve the 2026-2027 budget as presented. Second: Claudia Geist. Vote: Unanimous. Motion carried. Approval of 2026-2027 Fee Schedule Nicole Laird presented the proposed fee schedule for the upcoming school year. Discussion included elimination of general student fees, fee waiver availability, and activity-specific costs. Motion: Kelly Goff moved to approve the 2026-2027 fee schedule as presented. Second: Reid Prentice. Vote: Unanimous. Motion carried. Fiscal Controls and Risk Assessment Review Nicole Laird reviewed the school's annual fiscal controls and risk assessment documentation, including segregation of duties and internal financial controls. No action was taken. Boiler Replacement Approval Nicole Laird reviewed proposals for replacement of aging boiler equipment and provided information regarding vendor bids and recommendations. Motion: Shantel Stoff moved to approve entering into an agreement with Rocky Mountain Mechanical for boiler replacement as presented. Second: Kelly Goff. Vote: Unanimous. Motion carried. Wireless Access Point Replacement Approval Nicole Laird reviewed proposals to replace wireless access points throughout the building. Motion: Claudia Geist moved to approve purchase and installation of wireless access points through Onward as presented. Second: Reid Prentice. Vote: Unanimous. Motion carried. Classroom Furniture Purchases Nicole Laird reviewed proposed classroom furniture replacements, including cafeteria tables and classroom tables. Motion: Shantel Stoff moved to approve the furniture purchases as presented. Second: Kelly Goff. Vote: Unanimous. Motion carried. Development and Enrollment Update The Board reviewed enrollment and recruitment data, including current enrollment projections, application trends, retention rates, geographic enrollment patterns, and long-term demographic considerations. Discussion included the development of a future strategic planning effort focused on enrollment, recruitment, and school positioning. No action was taken. Employment Agreements The Board reviewed annual employment agreements for Deborah Candler and Nicole Laird. The agreements included a 3.5% salary adjustment consistent with staff compensation increases approved in the budget. Motion: Kelly Goff moved to approve the employment agreements as presented. Second: Amy Yuda. Vote: Unanimous. Motion carried. Closed Session Motion: Amy Yuda moved that the Board enter closed session pursuant to Utah Code § 52-4-205(1)(c) to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation. Second: Reid Prentice. Roll Call Vote: Shantel Stoff - Yes Whitney Provo - Yes Kelly Goff - Yes Reid Prentice - Yes Amy Yuda - Yes Amy Fehlberg - Yes Claudia Geist - Yes Greg Ostrander - Yes Motion carried unanimously. The Board entered closed session. Return to Open Session The Board returned to open session. Claudia Geist was no longer present. Litigation Matter Motion: Amy Fehlberg moved to proceed consistent with the discussion and direction provided during closed session regarding the litigation matter. Second: Reid Prentice. Vote: Unanimous among members present. Motion carried. Adjournment Motion: Kelly Goff moved to adjourn. Second: Whitney Provo. Vote: Unanimous. The meeting adjourned. Certification Submitted by: Diana Cabrales Board Secretary Salt Lake Arts Academy Approved by the Governing Board on: August __, 2026

Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Jen Guillory at 801-531-1173. .

Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation

NA

Meeting Information

Meeting Location

55 W 900 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
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Contact Name

Jen Guillory

Contact Email

jeng@slarts.org

Contact Phone

(801)531-1173

Notice Posting Details

Notice Posted On

June 24, 2026 02:14 PM

Notice Last Edited On

June 24, 2026 02:14 PM

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