Parents and students from Eastwood Elementary School in Millcreek, Utah, are actively protesting a proposal by the Granite School District to close the institution. Despite the school's reputation for high academic performance and a Gold-standing STEM certification, district officials cite significant and ongoing declines in student enrollment as the primary reason for considering the closure.
Key Takeaways
- Dozens of parents and students protested the potential closure of Eastwood Elementary School.
- The school is recognized as a top-performing elementary and a Gold-standing STEM school.
- Granite School District officials point to a district-wide enrollment drop of over 15,000 students in the past decade.
- A final vote on the school's future is scheduled for early December.
Community Voices Concerns Over Closure Plan
A group of several dozen parents and students gathered outside Skyline High School on Tuesday to voice their opposition to the potential closure of Eastwood Elementary. Holding signs and chanting, the community expressed frustration, arguing that the district is not listening to their concerns.
The school's mascot, the eagle, became a symbol of the protest, with chants like, “Don’t mess with our Eagle’s Nest!” heard during the rally. The demonstration was timed to coincide with a Granite District boundary meeting, ensuring their message was visible to officials.
Parents Question the District's Logic
Many parents at the protest questioned the rationale behind closing a school with a strong academic record. Keaton Gelwix, a parent of two Eastwood students, explained the community's motivation for protesting.
“The protest is because we are not feeling heard. We love our school; it’s one of the top schools in the district, top in the state, and they’re ignoring our voices.”
Nastasya Mangone, another parent, described the proposal as illogical, given the school's success. She feels the district's plan would leave families with difficult choices regarding their children's education.
“Closing a thriving, high-performing School really defies logic," Mangone said. "They’re basically forcing our hand to either choose between an unranked school or go to a different district where they perform better and fits our needs better."
Eastwood Elementary's Academic Standing
Eastwood Elementary is not just a neighborhood school; it holds significant academic distinctions. According to parents and public information, the school is ranked among the top 10 elementary schools in the state and has earned a Gold-standing STEM certification, highlighting its excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
District Cites Declining Enrollment as Key Factor
While parents focus on performance, Granite School District officials point to a larger, unavoidable issue: a sharp decline in student numbers across the district. This trend, they argue, necessitates difficult decisions like school consolidation and closures.
Enrollment Statistics
According to the Granite School District, enrollment has dropped significantly over several years:
- A decline of over 15,000 students in the last 7 to 10 years.
- A total decline of over 20,000 students in the last 25 years.
- This downward trend is projected to continue.
Ben Horsley, the Granite School District Superintendent, acknowledged the emotional difficulty of the situation but stressed that the enrollment data cannot be ignored.
“This isn’t anything new. We have seen a decline of over 15,000 students over the last 7 to 10 years... and that number is expected to continue to decline.”
An Emotional and Challenging Process
Superintendent Horsley emphasized that the decision to propose a school closure is not taken lightly by the district or the school board. He described it as one of the most challenging responsibilities they face, far more difficult than other administrative tasks like raising taxes.
“Nobody’s high-fiving down at the district office over this," Horsley stated. "This is one of the most difficult and challenging things a school board and a school district is ever faced with. Closing a school? It’s very emotional."
He explained that such decisions are a direct result of demographic shifts and are aimed at ensuring the long-term financial health and operational efficiency of the entire district.
Next Steps and Final Decision
The proposal to close Eastwood Elementary is not yet final. The school district has scheduled further discussions to gather more community feedback and review all relevant data before making a final determination.
The process will continue with another public meeting scheduled for November. Following this meeting, the school board will deliberate on the proposal. A final vote on the closure of Eastwood Elementary is expected to take place in early December. Parents and community members plan to continue their advocacy efforts until the final vote is cast.
