Sam Jarman finishes his first year as Alpine superintendent

AMERICAN FORK — It's been a year since Samuel Y. Jarman took charge of the largest school district in the state.

He's been busy, as it's his job to oversee the educating of 75,000 students and see to the well-being of 8,000 teachers and employees.

"I survived my first year because of thousands of people, teachers and terrific families," Jarman told the Deseret News.

As a district, one of the fastest growing in Utah, Alpine is doing well, Jarman said. The district comprises Utah County areas north of Provo.

For the first time in its history, it's been rated AAA by Fitch Solutions, meaning a savings of millions of dollars in interest on coming bond issues, Jarman said.

That's critical as the district hopes voters will approve a $386 million bond this fall to pay for the building of five new elementary schools, two new middle schools and a new high school in the north Lehi, Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain areas — plus finishings, renovations and seismic upgrades on several aging facilities — without a property tax increase.

"We had something to celebrate financially," Jarman said. "That's like getting a credit score of 850."

Schools approved in 2011 bond plans are on or ahead of schedule with Skyridge High School in northeast Lehi due to open this fall — the outside fields as well as the interior — and Springside Elementary in Saratoga Springs expected to open its doors after only seven months of construction time.

Jarman is also happy with collaboration efforts in the district.

"We have great teachers who work and collaborate to develop a curriculum based on state guidelines," he said. "It's continually being revised and updated, and it's a local effort.

"We are efficient and we're effective," Jarman said, pointing out the graduation rate of 92.3 percent last year when the governor's goal for 2020 is 90 percent.

He praises the 2016 graduates, who were offered $40.6 million in scholarships and the recognition for academic achievement and growth given to Greenwood and Central Elementary Title 1 schools.

He notes that more than 10 Utah High School Activities Association state championships went to Alpine District teams and bands.

Three of the top Sterling Scholars out of 14 classifications and seven runners-up were from Alpine.

Twenty-one elementary schools this next year will receive $927,000 in grants from the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program.

The teacher of the year for Utah is Melody Apezteguia, calculus teacher from American Fork High School, and the middle level principal of the year is Mark Whitaker from Mountain Ridge Junior High in Highland.

In addition to being proud of producing well-rounded, successful graduates, Jarman is proud of his record of regular on-site visits to each of the 84 schools in the district area.

Every Tuesday, he and three board members drop in on a different school. He believes in regular and frequent dialogue.

He schedules accountability meetings at all school communities to discuss how money has been spent from recent bonds.

He has an established district community council that meets monthly.

"In some ways, this big district feels small," he said. "It's so important to keep in touch."

However, he doesn't try to be and do all things. He tries to make certain specific problems go to those who can fix and adjust them.

"We have 10 clusters, and we meet with those clusters twice a year. We listen to their concerns and we follow up and report back," he said. "We also have six cabinet-level supervisors in constant contact with their principals and parents. I don't try to be all things."

As the district continues to grow — more than 1,600 students were added last year — Jarman knows stresses and needs will increase as well.

But he believes things can progress in an orderly, positive way.

"There is an element of support and commitment on the part of the employees and families," he said. "If there's a surprise I found in my first year, it's in finding that level of support."

At the Employee Celebration Kick-off at Utah Valley University, 8,000 employees raised their lighted cellphones in the air to indicate their continued support, Jarman said.

Jarman was voted in by the Board of Education as superintendent on May 7, 2015. He was previously a district administrator, a drafting teacher and high school principal at Provo High School, as well as the assistant superintendent of educational services and schools for K-12. He has 30 years of service in public education.

He succeeded Vernon Henshaw, who was superintendent for 15 years.

Board President John C. Burton said he believes Jarman has done an outstanding job in his first year as superintendent.

"Sam has great interpersonal relationships with many of the employees, patrons and citizens of the district," Burton said. "Two attributes that assist him in dealing with the stress of the job are that he is very positive and upbeat even in difficult situations."

He also has a great sense of humor, Burton added.

"He is able to laugh at himself and laugh with (not at) other individuals," Burton said. "Even in the most tense conditions, he has the ability to ease that tension because of this character trait."

Lone Peak High School Principal Rhonda Bromley described Jarman as an excellent leader who is very hands on when it comes to the many schools in the district.

"He is in the schools often, supporting the many activities of students and teachers. He has a variety of ways he gets feedback from parents, teachers and other employees," Bromley said. "He truly listens to concerns and is always looking for ways we can make our great district even better. It didn't take long for Superintendent Jarman to earn the respect and trust of the entire ASD community.

"I have confidence in the direction and continuous improvement in our district with Sam Jarman as our superintendent."

Sharon Haddock is a professional writer with more than 35 years' experience, 17 at the Deseret News. Her personal blog is at sharonhaddock.blogspot.com.

Email: haddoc@deseretnews.com