South Sevier Middle School
September 17, 2025
Welcome to the new SSMS Community Council Members!
Aarika Viula, chair
Nicole Porter, vice chair
Kimberly Brown
Kelly Cefalia
Josey Parsons
Mark Howard
Payton Ashby, SSMS teacher
Paul McCormick, school counselor
Michelle Nielson, principal
next council meeting scheduled for October 15, 2025
October 15, 2025
3:15, SSMS conference room
members in attendance: Nicole Porter, Aarika Viula, Kelly Cefalia, Josey Parsons, Kimberly Brown, Mark Howard, Paul McCormick, Payton Ashby, Michelle Nielson
absent members: none
Agenda
1. Establishment of chair and vice chair positions, Annual Training Video
Aariak Viula was nominated as Chair, Nicole Porter was nominated as vice chair
2. Budget Review (plan proposed and approved in Spring 2025)
https://schoollandtrust.schools.utah.gov/publicdistrictdashboard?districtId=900
next council meeting scheduled for November 19, 2025
November 19, 2025
3:15, SSMS conference room
members in attendance: Nicole Porter, Aarika Viula, Kelly Cefalia, Josey Parsons, Paul McCormick, Payton Ashby, Michelle Nielson
absent members: Kimberly Brown, Mark Howard
Agenda
use this link to view the slideshow shared in the meeting
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1RWOoigJoAwa263vfekhdZkjgq6pO_Q2rwjzMCImZUdo/edit?usp=sharing
1. Review of Council Purpose
2. Recent Happenings at SSMS
3. Budget Review (Trustlands and TSSA)
Clarification was given concerning the buy-out of teacher prep periods. Using prep periods helps with keeping class sizes at a maximum of 27, but priority is given to aim for 25. Using prep periods also helps offer yearlong reading instruction in all grade levels and for all students, and to provide flex intervention time for all tested subjects in all grade levels.
4. Questions/Concerns from Council Members
discussion items
Member Aarika Viula asked about attendance patterns as compared to what state and national reports are showing.
Response: SSMS is working hard to steadily improve the attendance of students. There are fewer than 10 students with severe attendance patterns. This is encouraging.
Member Nicole Porter asked about progress with skills recovery since COVID, now that it has been 5 years.
Response: SSMS assessment data shows a continual positive increase in the number of students demonstrating proficiency. Classroom data collected through the school's practices of mastery-based learning and grading also show that the majority of students are performing at grade level.
Member Nicole Porter asked about the process for students not enrolled in SSHS gaining permission to attend dances.
Response: SSMS does not host dances, but the guidelines and restrictions in place at the high school are for the protection of its student body and to ensure that only age-appropriate guests are participating.
It was noted by several council members that SSMS is doing great things for its students. The attitude of the students shows how much they enjoy attending. Test scores and performance, as compared to other schools in the district and stat,e show that things are effective and positive.
next council meeting scheduled for January 21, 2026
January 21, 2026
3:15, SSMS Conference Room
members in attendance: Nicole Porter, Kelly Cefalia, Paul McCormick, Payton Ashby, Michelle Nielson
absent members: Kimberly Brown, Mark Howard, Josey Parsons, Aarika Viula
Agenda
use this link to view the slideshow shared in the meeting
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1w9OEmlT8b8hK9bTwmTINwQfYivjVKtBocEkRx7tfYLM/edit?usp=sharing
1. Review of last meeting's minutes
2. 7 Mindsets Program Implementation
Each of the 7 mindsets was reviewed. Clarification given on why the program was being implemented. It is a district initiative for all middle and high schools to guarantee support for students to develop strong, positive mindsets and self-confidence.
3. Expenditures Review
4. Exciting News from Trustlands
5. Questions/Concerns from Council Members
discussion items
Council member, Kelly Cefalia, asked if the school would continue holding weekly power groups and continue the lessons and activities, or if the 7 Mindsets program would be replacing it. Clarification was given that power group time would remain in place. This is an important and unique time of the week, specific to SSMS, that is not tied to 7 Mindsets.
Council members were asked to begin thinking about new proposal ideas for the upcoming budget development for 26-27. They were encouraged to talk to community members and other parents for their input.
next council meeting scheduled for February 18, 2026
February 18, 2026
3:15, SSMS Conference Room
members in attendance: Nicole Porter, Kelly Cefalia, Kimberly Brown, Aarika Viula, Paul McCormick, Payton Ashby, Michelle Nielson
absent members: Mark Howard, Josey Parsons
Agenda
use this link to view the slideshow shared in the meeting
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1aodEip0i5tLRXCtTxlbeHRW9v3pf98CKg3Ry2qOVvdU/edit?usp=sharing
1. Review of last meeting's minutes
2. Recent/Upcoming Happenings at SSMS
3. Expenditures Update
4. 26-27 Staffing
A .40 cut must be made to next year's staffing; currently, the prep periods of 5 teachers are being bought out using FTE funds (with the help of a small amount of TSSA funding). A possible way to adjust for the .40 cut is to adjust how many prep periods are being bought out to prevent cuts from any full-time positions.
One prep period equals .18 of an FTE. The required .40 would result in the loss of 2 prep period buyouts. The average cost of a student advocate is fairly equal to the cost of a prep period buyout. One student advocate will be resigning at the end of the school year to move out of state. It was proposed that one prep period buyout be dissolved, and the student advocate position of the person resigning also be dissolved. The funding for the student advocate position could then be used to keep one prep period buyout in place.
There would be enough FTE to keep all full-time positions in place, then buy out 4 prep periods (still using a small amount of TSSA funding) and maintain 5 of the 6 student advocate positions.
4. 26-27 Proposal Ideas
current budget items were reviewed and discussed for consideration if they should be proposed again. It was unanimous that, as best as possible, all items should be included in the 26-27 plan
5. Questions/Concerns from Council Members
Beyond discussion of proposal ideas and staffing funding manipulation, there were no other topics of conversation.
next council meeting scheduled for March 18, 2026 to finalize the 26-27 Trustlands Budget Proposal
March 18, 2026
3:15, SSMS Conference Room
members in attendance: Nicole Porter, Kelly Cefalia, Kimberly Brown, Aarika Viula, Mark Howard, Josey Parsons, Paul McCormick, Payton Ashby, Michelle Nielson
absent members: no members were absent
Agenda
1. Review last meeting's minutes
2. 26-27 Trustlands Proposal
use this link to view the budget proposal
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11hUan2HFhYEZ4TUUY3miP4SXfot8v6X2kJiB2P75gk8/edit?usp=sharing
ALL council members voted in favor of the budget proposal. Principal Nielson will submit it for board review within the next 24 hours.
next meeting
no further meetings are necessary unless the board and/or state rejects or has questions about the 2026-2027 proposal