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Tooele superintendent reorganizes district offices, hires school improvement director to tackle groups in turnaround
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Ernst outlined a change from geographically based area directors to elementary/secondary directors and announced the hiring of a Director of School Improvement to support schools with low‑performing student groups (MLL, students with disabilities, graduation rate groups).
The Tooele district announced an organizational shift intended to concentrate instructional leadership and provide targeted supports for schools with underperforming student groups.
Superintendent Dr. Ernst told the board the district will move away from the existing geographically based 'area director' model and transition to separate elementary and secondary director roles to provide level‑specific coaching and consistency. He cited uneven interpretations of policy under the old model and said the change should make professional learning and support more relevant for principals.
To address schools with groups the state classifies for additional support (for example, multi‑language learners, students with disabilities and, in some secondary settings, low graduation rates), the district has hired Shaylen Jones Miller as Director of School Improvement. The new director’s responsibilities include building rapport and culture, clarifying ESSA exit criteria, aligning district systems, and creating targeted interventions to exit groups from turnaround designations.
Dr. Ernst said the district will tier school visits and supports so principals with the greatest need receive weekly coaching while others receive periodic monitoring. He also noted that the workload for two directors will be heavy and said the district may consider adding a third director in the future.
What’s next: an updated district organization chart and implementation timeline will be shared with the board; Director Jones Miller will present a phased plan to reduce groups in turnaround and align supports with district moon goals.
