As we kick off the new school year, we’d like to highlight a few important IT procedures.
After-Hours and Weekend IT Support
If you experience an IT issue outside regular hours, please submit an IT help ticket (https://helpdesk.slcschools.org). When we receive a report of a network or system outage in the evening, it will be addressed the following morning. If the request comes on the weekend, the problem will be worked on within 24-48 hours, though holiday support times may vary.
If you are having an activity after hours or on weekends relying on the computers or network and would like system support, please schedule that with me at least two weeks in advance. Be prepared to provide an account number for potential technician overtime costs.
Monthly System Maintenance
To ensure the smooth operation of our IT systems, regular maintenance is necessary. We’ve established a maintenance schedule for the 2025-26 school year to minimize disruptions for staff and students.
Maintenance will occur on designated weekends each month, during which intermittent system outages may be expected. We will send out notifications each month detailing the affected systems.
The planned maintenance window is typically from 5 pm on Friday through Saturday. Occasionally, maintenance may continue into Sunday. Critical updates may be applied outside this planned maintenance schedule.
Please review the maintenance dates below and plan accordingly.
August 29-30
September 26-27
October 24-25 (limited due to end of term)
November 14-15
December 19-20
January 23-24
February 27-28
March 27-28
April 17-18
May 15-16
June 26-27
July 17-18
IT Help Tickets
When requesting support, please remember to use the IT help ticket system (https://helpdesk.slcschools.org). Tickets submitted through this system are prioritized over emails or phone calls. Utilizing the help ticket system allows us to better analyze data and improve our service.
We wish you a successful start of the school year.
I'd like to extend an extra special welcome to all new administrators joining SLCSD this year. I am an education specialist in HRS, and the focus of my job is pre, new, and early educators. This email is to explain the process regarding pre-educators that spend time in our district.
We LOVE hosting student teachers, practicum students and interns! Especially since we have wonderful educators and students to learn from. SLCSD receives requests from several of our state colleges and universities as well as some online programs to place their students in our schools. HRS has worked with these institutions in developing MOUs and a placement process to ensure the success of all involved with this collaborative effort.
The placement process starts in HRS with receiving requests from mostly placement coordinators. I also get requests from instructors, cohort leaders, and students themselves. This all depends on our arrangement with each institution. When you receive a placement request for observations, practicum or field hours, or student teaching, please direct the requester to contact me directly. After the details of the placement are reviewed, I will facilitate that placement with a school administrator before anything is confirmed.
For internships, usually in school counseling or administration, there is an application and screening process. This would include anyone interested in fulfilling internship requitements for licensing, even current employees of SLCSD. You can also direct those individuals to me and I will provide them with next steps.
If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to help! I look forward to collaborating with each of you this year in various capacities.
Kellie May, M.Ed. (she/her/hers)
Education Specialist - Mentors/Alternative Pathway to Professional Educator License (APPEL) / Grow Your Own (GYO) / Pre-service Educators
I hope this message finds you well and that your summer planning is off to a strong start.
I’m reaching out with a gentle reminder regarding the importance of timely approval of P-Card transactions. As outlined in Board Policy F-2 and detailed in the P-Card Manual (page 4), principals are responsible for ensuring that all credit card purchases at your site are in full alignment with district purchasing policies and procedures.
When you approve a transaction, you are verifying that this responsibility has been fulfilled. We’ve noticed delays in the approval process, and we want to support all sites in staying current and in compliance.
As noted in the manual, continued non-compliance may result in the loss of P-Card privileges—either for the individual staff member or, in some cases, for the entire site. While we know this is never the intention, we want to be proactive in avoiding those outcomes.
Please take a few moments to ensure your approvals are up to date and that systems are in place to keep them current moving forward. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated and helps us maintain fiscal integrity across the district.
Thank you for your leadership and continued partnership.
Welcome to a new school year! It was just over a year ago that we were in final stages of preparing for multiple school boundary changes due to school closures; that heavy lifting made us a year wiser as we reflect and prepare for the upcoming year(s).
We need your input as we anticipate future needs. The purpose of Board Policy G-5 (and its newly updated administrative procedures) is to "ensure a regular systematic review of the configuration and organization of district schools and, in compliance with state law, establish a process for adjusting boundaries, relocating or closing special enrollment programs, or permanently closing schools."
Our focus right now is to "ensure a regular systematic review"... I need 30-60 minutes from you (just you for now - on a Teams call) to discuss your specific school's boundaries and special enrollment programs (if you have one). What's going well? What needs to be adjusted (if anything)? What feedback have you received in your community? And if you're a principal new to your school, you may have many more questions.
As we work together to maintain the highest level of professionalism and consistency across our district, we would like to remind you of the established protocols concerning employee work schedules and job titles.
Effective immediately, no changes to work schedules, job titles, or responsibilities should be made without prior approval from both the Area Director and Human Resources. These approvals are necessary to ensure that any adjustments align with district policies, budget constraints, and overall staffing needs.
Rationale:
The District understands that school operations often require flexibility, but it is crucial that we maintain district-wide consistency and fairness in staffing decisions. This protocol helps ensure that we are in compliance with contractual obligations, legal requirements, and the district’s strategic goals.
Expectations for Implementation:
Should there be a need to adjust schedules, reassign duties, or modify job titles for any staff member, please follow the outlined steps:
Submit a written request to your Area Director detailing the proposed changes and the reasons for them.
Upon review and conditional approval by the Area Director, Human Resources will conduct a compliance check to verify alignment with district policies.
Final approval must be obtained in writing from both the Area Director and HR before any changes can be implemented.
Conclusion:
Thank you for your cooperation and ongoing dedication to fostering a supportive and efficient work environment for all staff members. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out.
As the Superintendent has regularly shared, we are building a district where there is a foundation of similarity among schools. Individual school variations will exist and flourish on that coherent district-wide foundation. With this move towards greater equity, consistency, and transparency in our decision-making process and work, we would like to describe an important shift in our approach.
As an organization, we must consciously base decisions on policy. We must also clearly document our systems and processes so they are accessible and easily understandable. Moving forward, we will all be adopting a policy-driven model that provides consistency for all situations rather than one that relies on personal knowledge or advocacy. School administrators will be supported in making decisions that align with operational processes and can be easily communicated, supported, and defended to our stakeholders.
This approach will:
Build Trust: As we focus on objective, policy-based decisions, stakeholders will have greater confidence in the fairness and impartiality of our actions.
Enhance Transparency: A policy-driven model provides clear guidelines that everyone can follow, ensuring that decisions are open and easily understood by all.
Promote Consistency: By adhering to established policies, we reduce variability in decision-making and ensure that similar situations are handled in a uniform manner across the district.
Foster Accountability: A reliance on policies ensures that decisions are not based on personal biases or relationships, making the rationale behind each decision clear and defensible.
The rationale behind this shift is rooted in our commitment to creating an environment that is fair and consistent. By focusing on policies rather than individual relationships, we can ensure that decisions are aligned with our broader goals and values, and that staff, students, and stakeholders are treated equitably. It enables us to make decisions that are aligned with the best interests of the entire community, ensuring that our actions are guided by fairness and clarity.
Personal relationships will always remain valuable in building strong teams and fostering collaboration. However, an organization as complex as SLCSD needs a structure that ensures that all students, teachers, and administrators are represented in a consistent way. This shift to policy-driven administration creates a robust framework for addressing the district’s complex needs and supports a shared foundation of similarity and cohesiveness.
These practices will support our long-term success and strengthen our collective efforts to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication and support as we move forward with this shift. Please reach out with your questions or thoughts.
We hope this message finds you well. We are writing to provide guidance regarding HB 77 – Flag Display Amendments, which was recently passed by the Utah Legislature and will take effect May 7, 2025. This legislation outlines specific regulations regarding which flags may be displayed on or within government property, including public school campuses.
For years, Salt Lake City School District has been known for our commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students and staff, and we remain committed to this goal and the values underlying that commitment. We also appreciate the pride and passion many of our students and staff feel in their beliefs and causes. While this law imposes certain limitations, we will continue to foster school environments where all students feel seen, supported, and valued. In order to understand and implement this legislation, we are providing the following protocols for our schools.
Key Provisions of HB 77
HB 77 defines “display” as placing a flag in a prominent location where the flag is easily visible. A “flag” is defined as a usually rectangular piece of fabric with a specific design that symbolizes a location, government entity, or cause.
To ensure district-wide compliance, please note the following flags are permitted for display:
The official United States Flag
The official Utah State Flag
The current and official flag of another country, state, or political subdivision (e.g., another school district or city)
A flag that represents a city, municipality, county, or other political subdivision within Utah
A flag representing a branch, unit, or division of the U.S. military
The National League of Families POW/MIA flag
A flag that represents a recognized Indian tribe
An officially licensed college or university flag
A historic version of the U.S., Utah, or other state/national flags
An official public school flag
An official flag of the U.S. Olympic/Paralympic Committee, International Olympic/Paralympic Committee, or a specific Olympiad/Paralympiad that occurred or will occur
A flag of an organization authorized to use space within a public school, during the time they are using the space
We understand that some of you may feel inclined to demonstrate your support for various causes, groups, and beliefs by displaying items that do not meet the definition of flag and thus do not violate the new law. While we support you in your goal of signaling a welcome environment, there is additional information that you should consider in displaying items. In addition to HB 77, the Utah State Board of Education (“USBE”) issued a letter on April 10,2025, reminding educators of Utah Admin. Code R277-217(25), Educator Standards, that states that an educator may not “through instruction, materials, or symbols . . . endorse promote, or disparage” a particular viewpoint. The letter also indicated how the public may report violations of this section. We are providing you with this information not as a threat of district action, but as an awareness that USBE, as the licensing authority for Utah educators, has indicated that compliance with these rules and laws is not only expected but vital.
Action Steps for Schools
Review all flags currently displayed in your school or on your school property, including in classrooms, hallways, and offices.
Remove any flags that do not fall within the categories listed above by the end of school onMay 6, 2025, to ensure full compliance with the law upon its effective date.
When in doubt, please consult with the General Counsel before displaying a new flag to confirm it meets the legal criteria.
Ensure that flags displayed during temporary use by authorized organizations are removed promptly after their use of the space ends.
The Office of the State Auditor is tasked with overseeing compliance with this legislation and may impose fines for violations. As such, we must be diligent and proactive to ensure our flag displays align with this new legislation.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued leadership in ensuring our schools remain compliant, welcoming, and student-centered.
As we continue to prioritize student safety and manage risk responsibly across our district, we want to clarify our position regarding the use of inflatables and requests for field trips to trampoline parks.
Due to risk management and liability concerns, Salt Lake City School District does not permit the use of inflatable structures (such as bounce houses, inflatable slides, etc.) for school-sponsored events. Similarly, field trips to trampoline parks will not be approved and will be denied upon submission.
While we understand the desire to provide engaging and enjoyable experiences for students, we must ensure all activities align with district safety protocols and minimize unnecessary risk.
Thank you for your understanding and for your ongoing commitment to providing safe, enriching opportunities for our students. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance identifying alternative options for student activities.
As part of our continued commitment to student safety and in alignment with Utah State Board of Education and the Utah Division of Risk Management, please be advised of the following updates regarding field and activity trip scheduling:
No field or activity trips shall begin between the hours of 11:00pm and 4:30am.
All field or activity trips must conclude (school bus returned to transportation) by 1:30 am.
If a trip cannot be completed by 1:30am, an overnight stay is required.
These time restrictions are effective immediately and must be adhered to for all current and future trip planning. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and staff. I would also like to direct your attention to the attachment addressing general trip procedures and specific time restrictions for areas out of the Salt Lake Valley.
If you have any questions or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Thank you
Ken Martinez
Transportation Director
Previous Guidelines
School bus drivers and schools are expected to adhere to the following procedures:
Departure Times: School bus must leave at the scheduled time.
Bus Loading: Ensure the school bus is fully loaded and prepared for departure at least 5 minutes in advance of scheduled departure.
Communication: Maintain regular communication with coaches/leaders regarding departure schedules and any potential delays related to events or weather.
School bus drivers must complete:
Pre-Trip Inspection: Conduct a thorough pre-trip inspection one hour before departure. Should any issues arise, promptly contact Ashley or the service team for assistance.
Adhering to these procedures ensures smooth operations and safety for all involved.
The following areas have specific guidelines: Departure times. No later than.
Logan Area
10pm
St. George Area
7pm
Moab Area
7pm
Vernal Area
8pm
If a bus is unable to leave by the designated time, students, leaders, and school bus driver will have to spend the night and return home next day.
Prior to spring break, we had some individuals who were not district employees try to access a server/networking room at Washington Elementary. We have had this occur in the past at Rose Park Elementary as well.
The only persons who are authorized to access a server/networking room in the district office or school building are the individuals listed on these websites:
If the individual requesting access is not pictured on these websites, they must be accompanied by an individual whose picture is on these websites. Otherwise, no one should be permitted access to the server/networking rooms. If someone not listed on these websites tries to access one of these rooms, please contact Sam Quantz.
