Jordan School District to join Salt Lake County hazard‑mitigation plan, staff say

District staff returned to the board on Feb. 10 with a recommendation that Jordan School District join the multi‑jurisdiction Salt Lake County hazard‑mitigation plan to preserve eligibility for FEMA reimbursement in the event of a disaster.

The presenter told the board the plan dates to 2024 and was developed with participation from 23 towns and cities, two school districts and a community college. He said joining the county plan is primarily an administrative step that creates a pathway to federal disaster aid if a school is damaged by flood, fire, tornado or other qualifying event.

“We learned that in order for the school district … to qualify for FEMA funding in the event of a natural disaster … we need to develop or be part of a hazard mitigation plan,” the presenter said. He added that the county plan produced multiple volumes of materials and that the district could publish an executive summary for public readability rather than posting the full document.

Board members asked what obligations the district would take on by joining; staff answered that there is no direct funding commitment or construction mandate tied to membership. Staff described modest continuing responsibilities for this five‑year plan cycle: twice‑a‑year public awareness postings on district channels (website, social media, Skyward as an option) and participation in future update cycles. The presenter said the county plan includes tables identifying facilities at potential risk and that district staff had already reviewed school siting against flood‑plain data.

The board did not take a final vote on Feb. 10 but directed staff to bring a resolution forward for placement on an upcoming consent agenda or special business item and to prepare an executive summary and public‑notice materials appropriate for parents and staff. The board also asked staff to clarify any specific follow‑up steps that would be expected during the plan’s 2024–2029 cycle.