Canyons district survey shows modest gains; board debates communications, support and recognition

Dr. Laura Heathfield, the district’s program evaluator, presented results of the Canyons School District 2023–24 employee satisfaction surveys at the Jan. 21 board meeting, reporting modest gains in overall satisfaction but identifying recurring concerns about pay, benefits, recognition and professional development.

Heathfield told the board the educator survey had an overall reliability rating of 93% and a 47% response rate among licensed educators (about 1,000 respondents). She said overall educator satisfaction has risen about 10 percentage points over the past two years and that 22 of 28 survey items improved from the prior year; however six items had less than 50% positive responses. For administrators, the survey produced a 63% response rate and generally high satisfaction scores, but administrators reported decreases in benefit and salary satisfaction and continued concerns that expectations for administrators may be unrealistic. Contracted education support professionals (ESPs) had about a 40% response rate; hourly ESPs posted a lower 30% response rate, which Heathfield said warrants caution when interpreting that group’s results.

Across open‑ended responses, the most common positive themes were strong relationships with colleagues, the ability to impact students, and available professional learning. The top requested changes were better student behavior and discipline, higher pay and benefits, and reduced workload or expectations.

Board members discussed several follow-ups. Communications director Jeff Haney proposed a monthly direct‑mail postcard to all employees (licensed and ESP) to summarize board actions and decisions that affect staff and to spotlight employees; Haney suggested the card could include recognition items such as the recent national coach of the year award for Brighton coach Natalie Meyer and acknowledgement of facilities staff who handled a district water‑line break and a Jordan High power outage. Several board members supported piloting proactive communications to reach employees who do not routinely check district email.

Board members and the superintendent also discussed governance and relationships, including comments from trustees urging the board to avoid micromanagement and to ensure administrators know the board’s intent rather than receiving last‑minute requests for detailed materials. Superintendent McKay Robinson characterized the balance between governance and administration as a continuous process of relationship‑building and requested committee follow‑up on items that need deeper attention.

The board directed the human‑centered supports focus group to review the survey findings and return recommendations. Trustees also asked staff to draft a short letter from the board thanking administrators for a year‑over‑year increase (reported as +7%) in teachers’ perception that administrators help when overwhelmed; the board said the letter should be circulated to administrators promptly.

Heathfield recommended improving participation among hourly ESPs and suggested using the survey’s positive items to shape actions to address the areas of dissatisfaction. No formal board vote was recorded on the survey itself; board members asked staff to return with follow‑up steps and communications drafts.