Granite School District Considers Closing Two Elementary Schools

The Granite School District is evaluating a proposal to close two of its eastern elementary schools, Eastwood and Morningside, for the next academic year. The recommendation, based on a recent population study, also includes significant boundary adjustments for several other schools in the area.

District officials presented the plan to the school board on September 2, citing shifting demographics and the need for more efficient use of resources. While the board has voted to move forward with studying the proposal, a final decision has not yet been made.

District Officials Present Closure Recommendations

The proposal stems from a comprehensive population study of 10 elementary schools located in the district's eastern region, known as "Area 5." This area, which includes neighborhoods east of 1300 East, has experienced declining enrollment and demographic shifts, prompting the review that began in February.

Steven Hogan, Granite School District's director of planning and boundaries, outlined the recommendations to the school board. He acknowledged the challenging nature of school closures and stressed the importance of community involvement in the process.

"It’s difficult," Hogan stated during the presentation. "And it can’t be done without everyone’s participation. And it is, as we always know, a tough process."

Following the presentation, the board unanimously approved a motion to continue studying the recommendations. This procedural step allows the district to gather public input before a final vote is held later this year.

Analyzing the Rationale for Each School

The reasons behind selecting Eastwood and Morningside for closure differ significantly, reflecting unique challenges at each campus. The district's analysis focused on building utilization, program efficiency, and long-term viability.

Eastwood Elementary: A Matter of Low Utilization

The primary factor driving the recommendation to close Eastwood Elementary is its low building utilization rate. According to Hogan, a school should ideally operate at 80% to 90% capacity to ensure efficient use of public funds while leaving room for growth.

If the closure is approved, students currently within Eastwood's boundaries would be reassigned to Oakridge Elementary. While Oakridge also has a low utilization rate of 47%, officials selected Eastwood for closure for several key reasons. Hogan explained that Oakridge has a larger building capacity, a more central location for the combined student body, and a more efficient system for student pickup and drop-off.

Morningside Elementary: Restructuring for Efficiency

The situation at Morningside Elementary is more complex. The school currently operates at a high utilization rate of 87%. However, the district argues that the building's internal structure is inefficient, as it houses three distinct programs that function like separate small schools.

"[Its] three unique programs are almost like three small schools within the school," said Luke Allen, a spokesperson for Granite School District. He noted that this structure limits options for families and creates staffing inefficiencies.

Under the proposal, the Morningside building would no longer operate as a traditional elementary school. Instead, it would become a standalone campus exclusively for the K-5 French dual language immersion program, serving students from across the district's east side.

Proposed Changes to School Boundaries and Programs

The closure of two schools necessitates a series of boundary adjustments and program relocations to ensure all students have a designated school. The district has outlined a detailed plan that affects several surrounding communities.

Students from Morningside's traditional program would be rezoned, with the majority attending Howard R. Driggs Elementary and a smaller group moving to Rosecrest Elementary. The gifted and talented program, also known as the Advanced Learning Center, was initially slated to merge with the program at Woodstock Elementary.

However, after receiving initial feedback from parents, the district is now reconsidering that plan. Allen confirmed that officials are exploring moving the program to a different east-side school, though a final location has not been determined.

Additional Boundary Adjustments

The proposal also includes changes for students not currently attending the schools targeted for closure. These adjustments are designed to balance enrollment numbers across the region.

• Driggs to Cottonwood: Approximately 100 students currently zoned for Driggs Elementary would be reassigned to Cottonwood Elementary. This affects about 70 students living west of Holladay Boulevard and 30 students south of Murray-Holladay Road.
• Wilson to Rosecrest: The boundary for Rosecrest Elementary would expand to include about 15 to 20 students who currently attend Woodrow Wilson Elementary.

Community Feedback and Next Steps

The Granite School District has scheduled public meetings to present the proposal and gather feedback from parents and community members. This input will be considered by the school board before the final vote.

Scheduled Public Meetings:

1. Monday: 6 p.m. at Olympus High School
2. Tuesday: 6 p.m. at Skyline High School

District spokesperson Luke Allen mentioned that additional meetings could be scheduled in October if attendance at the initial sessions is high. All information regarding the meetings and the full proposal can be found on the Granite School District's official website.

The school board is expected to make its final decision on the closures and boundary changes at its meeting on December 2, 2024. This timeline allows several months for public engagement and further study of the proposal's impact on students and families.