Page 10 | April 2018 MCSD opt2.pdf
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Murray City Journal
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Murray City School District newsletter
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Mayor declares Murray strong despite challenges
your murray schools
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Jennifer Covington
Superintendent of Schools
MURRAY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 5102 S. Commerce Drive 5102 South Commerce Drive • Murray, UT 84107 Murray, Utah 84107 801-264-7400 | Fax 801-264-7456 Phone 801-264-7400 801-264-7456
By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
april 2018
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Murray Education Foundation Executive Director I have enjoyed being involved as Executor Director for the Murray Education Foundation and will begin my 20th year this fall. We have a dedicated Foundation Board that works well together and exemplifies the purpose of the Murray Education Foundation, which is to “promote and recognize excellence in Murray schools by encouraging contributions, and building partnerships to enhance education.” We have been able to institute many programs, including our annual MEF Golf Tournament. It is held in the fall each year, with proceeds to going back into the teacher’s classroom in the form of teacher grants; 2018 will mark the 20th tournament. In addition, our annual Pinnacle Award Gala, now in its 15th year, is held each year in March when we recognize five teachers, one classified employee and one volunteer (every 5th year, one administrator is chosen). Awardees each receive a Pinnacle Award Jeanne Habel statuette, a $500 check, a gift basket with value in the range of $1500-2000, along with a delicious dinner cooked and served by students from MHS, and entertainment from secondary school students. We could not put together either of these events without our committees of wonderful volunteers comprised of community members, retired school district staff, and the sponsorship involvement of our outstanding community and business donors. Other MEF involvement includes establishing an endowment for technology through a fundraising effort from the “Buy A Brick” wall at Murray High School; sponsorship of the “Invest in a Kid” program, support of the Kennecott Nature Center, and administration of the Laura Baker Professional Learning Grant – a grant that teachers can apply for on a yearly basis to subsidize a professional learning experience. Murray is a great community and we have an amazing school district in which an education foundation can flourish. We could not achieve the things that we have in the last two decades without the support of both community members and the school district. Thank you sincerely to all who support the Murray Education Foundation. I truly believe we could not do it without this “village” supporting us all! 2017-18 Pinnacle Award Winners Congratulations to this year’s outstanding Pinnacle Winners! Pictured left to right are: Ellie Ferrero, Liberty Elementary 5th grade teacher; Cheree Larson, HJH volunteer; Shalice Benedum, Liberty Elementary 6th grade teacher; Issachar Beh, MHS English-ESL teacher; Sarah Buck Chatterton, Spartan Station Manager classified employee; Rochelle McGowan, RJH math teacher; and Amanda Halverson, HJH English teacher.
2018 MCSD Calendar Highlights May 28 (Mon.) Memorial Day holiday June 1, 2018 (Fri.) Last Day of School June 1, 1:00 PM MHS Graduation, SLCC Aug. 17 (Fri.) 1st day of school 7th grader Aug. 20 (Mon.) 1st day of school 1-6 & 8-12 grades Sept. 3 (Mon) Labor Day holiday Oct. 18-19, 2018 Fall Recess The entire 2017-18 school year calendar is available on the District website, along with other event listings. The Murray Board of Education reserves the right to alter or amend this calendar as may be necessitated by unforeseen events.
19th Annual MEF Golf Tournament: 1st Place Key Bank Team of (left to right) Ryan Martin, Tyler Blout, Jake Chang, and Tyler Cichos.
Thank you to Larry H. Miller Charities! A $12,500 donation was presented by Kasey Webster, GM of Larry H. Miller Toyota of Murray, and Scott Harding, GM of Larry H. Miller Honda of Murray to Jeanne Habel and MCSD Superintendent Jennifer Covington. This generous contribution was used to help provide Christmas to 372 Murray students.
Website: www.murrayschools.org | Facebook: Murray School District UT The Your Murray Schools section is a Murray City School District publication, under the direction of D. Wright, MCSD communications & public information.
Mayor Blair Camp hopes to start downtown Murray’s redevelopment this year. (Shaun Delliskave/City Journals)
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ayor Blair Camp presented his first State of the City address at the Feb. 20 Murray City Council Meeting. Camp said, “Let me begin by saying the state of Murray City is strong and sound, but not without challenges.” The Mayor paid tribute to former Mayors Ted Eyre and Lynn Pett, who both passed away in 2017. He also saluted former Chief Building Official Gilbert Gonzales, who died last August after battling cancer. The City Council received a copy of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) prepared by the Finance Department staff. Camp credited the Finance Department’s work for a recent upgrade in the city’s bond credit rating from AA- to AA, which will save the city money on future bond payments. In spotlighting the Parks and Recreation Department, Camp remarked that swim lessons were the city’s biggest youth program, with approximately 3,600 participants. The recreation staff offered 62 recreation programs in 2017. Daily admissions to the outdoor swimming pool totaled nearly 39,000 patrons. The new pickleball courts were opened for use in October, and the city is close to a resolution with the contractor’s bonding company to finish the lighting. Camp noted a recent visit to the Heritage Center: “Just last week, Councilmember Dale Cox and I had the experience of leading the YMCA song with the lunchtime crowd. I’m grateful that there was no video, at least not that I’m aware of!” He also highlighted the issuance of 445 new commercial business licenses and 144 new homebased business licenses in 2017. The total number of licensed businesses in Murray City in 2017 was 3,951, an increase of 227 from 2016. The Building Division issued 2,010 building permits in 2017, an increase of 282 over 2016.
“I am enthusiastic about developments that are happening in Murray. The expansion of Fashion Place Mall, with a number of new stores and restaurants, continues to draw shoppers from around the region.” A popular service provided by the city is passport processing. In 2017 the City Recorder’s Office processed 4,363 new passport applications, up from 2,506 the previous year, and 460 renewals up from 63 in 2016. “Every year there is a push from some lawmakers to limit or take away local control from cities. As a city, we must fundamentally oppose such attempts at changes to the state laws that weaken the ability of local government to make local decisions, particularly zoning and land use issues. We must also oppose the continued attempts at redistribution of sales tax dollars.” The city will be adding bicycle lanes to 700 West, from 5400 South to Winchester Street, this coming year. The city will add sidewalks and bike lanes on east Vine Street over the next two years. “I want to state this evening that I support a more walkable and rideable community,” Camp announced. He intends to bring the Green Bike program to Murray City, particularly around transit stops, Fashion Place Mall and Intermountain Medical Center. The mayor also plans to roll out a Murray City Adopt-A-Street program to enable organizations, businesses and individuals to volunteer to help maintain and beautify the streets of Murray. There are also certain gateways to Murray that will be aesthetically improved. “I am optimistic about the future of Murray City, and I hope you are too. I look forward to many changes and improvements in the coming years as we all work together.” l
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