New layout for DMJ meetings

Published 1:08 pm Wednesday, August 19, 2026

DEER — At their regular scheduled meeting on Monday, Aug 10, the Deer – Mt Judea school board sat facing the public, instead of around the table, which resulted in some board member’s backs being toward the public.

This new arrangement was positively received by both the board members and the public who were in attendance.

Board President Johnny Smith was absent, therefore, John Kent, as board secretary, presided over the meeting.

The board received an update on the Mt Judea HVAC project, which was based on a walk-through with the project contractors. Replacing the gymnasium lighting was included in the project and that will commence shortly. None of the work for the HVAC units, including vents, will be done until the units arrive, so that all can be done correctly from the beginning. The only exception is the pouring of the concrete slab for the units, which had to be rescheduled due to a conflict with water work being done that blocked the parking lot.

Arrival of the units is expected in October.

Concern was expressed regarding the changing time frames and vagueness in communication. Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Nichols will request at least monthly updates from the contractor prior to each board meeting.

Discussion transitioned to establishing a 5-year plan for the district, continuing previous conversations. Nichols will format the information already provided into a shared, collaborative document for the board and herself to be able to edit.

This plan will be discussed at all successive meetings until finalized. Public input is being strongly encouraged and solicited by board members.

One important component of the plan will be both campuses’ physical plants, for which Nichols has asked from someone from the state to evaluate each campus and provide both a list of those things that need to be done and that the district can do on its own, and a list that it cannot do alone.

Based on a preliminary, unofficial walk-through, the roofs on Mt Judea’s elementary and high schools need to be replaced, as does the roof of the Deer science building. The paneling of the Deer agriculture building is not fire-retardant, so it needs to be replaced or covered by an appropriate material.

All rooms and buildings at both campuses are out-of-code regarding exit signs.

The board will tour the Mt Judea campus at 5:30 prior to the September meeting on the 14th. The public is invited to attend.

Nichols reported that the district student population stood at 248 students.

Kent reported on a variation in funds received for the sale of timber on Federal land in the district. Last year’s amount was approximately $86,000, while 2026’s amount was around $500,000.

A representative from First Security Beardsley presented updates on their municipal advisory and fiscal agent services. They have a current contract with DMJ, which is due for renewal by the end of the year. While costs have increased, resulting in the company initiating a $2,000 annual fee, they will defer that fee for DMJ, unless an opportunity presents where it can be incorporated into a bond offering or some similar service.

Two updates to the student handbook were presented to the board. The first regarded the cell phone policy. The board approved the recommendation for students to retain their phones, but they would be out-of-sight and off. Violations to be treated in accord with the handbook.

The board tabled the recommendation pertaining to concession stand and athletic funds, with a request for a staff committee to consider alternative calculations to present to the board at the next meeting.

The board also approved:

• the contracting with Monica James for occupational therapy at all campuses
• the contracting with Erica Ridell for speech therapy at all campuses
• the hiring of Elizabeth Ewing as district secretary
• the moving of two funding amounts from the 2025-26 operating fund to the building fund
• the transfer of three students in to the district
• the transfer of two students out of the district

$129,216 was transferred from operating to the building fund because the district had paid for maintenance and there was sufficient funding remaining in the 2025 budget to move those funds.

$577,421.19, which was the 20% carryover allowed by state law from the 2025 budget, also was transferred from 2025 operating to the building fund.

These amounts address much of the funding lost due to the decline in student enrollment.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sep 14 on the Mt. Judea campus. A tour of the campus will occur at 5:30 p.m., prior to the regular meeting.