Content about Administrator

All-day kindergarten will be re-instated at Morgan Elementary School for the upcoming school year.

The horrific tragedy that swept over the nation this past week with the senseless loss of innocent lives at Sandy Hook Elementary has saddened all of our hearts.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of these children and to the heroic efforts of their teachers and principal who gave their own lives trying to protect them.

It may be nearing the end of the outdoor watering season, but several water companies have asked for voluntary restrictions in the name of conservation.

In the throws of budget turmoil, the Morgan County School District is motivated to sell its old bus garage property on State Street. Superintendent Ken Adams said there has been interest in outside parties purchasing the commercial property, including renewed interest from Morgan County.  The school board went into executive session Tuesday to discuss real estate negotiations with the county.  They planned to have something in writing for the Morgan County Council to consider during their Aug. 21 meeting.

The Morgan School District’s financial situation is so complicated, it is going to take a combination of many options to solve, or even squeak by from year to year, school board members agreed.  The solution rests on raising taxes, a voted leeway, and possibly even more cuts that could directly affect the classroom.

District begins WSU rental fee, lease for energy savings
A revenue shortage has the Morgan County School District thinking creatively this year. 

Kristen Korth received the Coach Administrator of the Year award from AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) at the Section Meeting in Las Vegas February 12.

It was a somber atmosphere in the courtroom as Garth Day entered with his attorney, Amy Hugie.  As U.S. Magistrate Judge Samuel Alba read each one of the six charges aloud to him, Day responded with a weak and barely audible whisper.  With each charge presented to the defendant, the judge confirmed that Day understood it and also , understood that the government is required to prove their case against him beyond a reasonable doubt.  Day was also informed that if he changed his plea to guilty, he would waive his rights to a trial and therefore relieve the government from having to prove their case.  In each case Day responded in the affirmative.

In documents by The Morgan County News obtained through  a Government Records Access Management Act (GRAMA) request  from the investigation into the actions of Garth Day, the former Morgan County Council Administrator, additional details of the actions of Day were revealed.  

Council Members Attending: Tina Kelley, Howard Hansen, Donald Mathews, Ronda Kippen, Lyle Nelson, Ned Mecham, Robert Kilmer

Public Comment
Larry Hatch thanked all of the council for their service.  He requested that the council consider carefully the appointment of a chairman.

At a hearing on Monday the county indicated that the prosecution of Garth Day will likely be handed over to federal authorities.  For the past several months the FBI has been investigating the actions of Day in allegedly committing fraud and forgery at the same time as the county investigation has been proceeding.  The FBI has met with county officials, obtained documents of actions by Day, and identified areas for prosecution. 

Council Members Attending: Tina Kelley, Sid Creager, Al Lundgren, Howard Hansen, Karen Sunday, Don Mathews

In a night that began with conflict and accusations, Chairman Sid Creager took center stage at the council meeting on behalf of the council to explain, to the extent they are able with the investigation continuing, the events that led up to the charges being filed against Garth Day. Chairman Creager also explained the decision process that brought about the council administrator position to be posted on the county website.

  It is not often that I write editorials. I think most often our role  as a newspaper is to report the news in the most objective way we can,  and allow each person to develop their views. I work particularly hard to ensure that I keep a neutral tone when I write. I have opinions, but I work to keep them out of my articles.

Garth Day, former County Council Administrator has been charged with forty three criminal charges.  Day has been being investigated for the past few months, and the investigation has finally reached the point at which charges are being filed.  Day has been served with 38 felony and 5 misdemeanors.  He has been subpeonaed to appear in the Second District Court in Morgan on Monday, October 4, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.

A review of the final budget for the 2009 – 2010 school year as well as the proposed budget for the 2010 – 2011 school year was the major focus of discussion at Tuesday evening’s board meeting. 

My experience as an educator spans 36 years, four school districts and two states. During this time of employment, it has been my pleasure to be associated with great students, wonderful parents and conscientious staff members. It has been said that if one chooses something he loves to do then he will never go to work for the rest of his life. There is no truer statement than this about my vocation.