School growth straining retirees

ST. GEORGE — The problem defies both logic and demographics, but this fall Utah's booming retirement community is wondering what it's going to do with all those kids.

"We're pretty much over capacity in every school we have in the district right now," said Brent Bills, business administrator for the Washington County School District. "There's not a single place where we're not growing. We're not losing students anywhere, and there's no reason to believe the same growth won't happen next year."

The increase in the number of students is giving every indication that the senior boom that made Dixie Utah's fastest-growing county appears to be giving way to a kind of early 21st-century baby boom.

As of Sept. 1, the district's 32 schools had 21,390 students enrolled, a 5.5-percent increase over last year. That jump didn't surprise district officials, but they were stunned when the number of students from rural subdivisions dotting the open fields of Washington soared by 10 percent.

That made the thrill of opening Riverside Elementary in August wear off fast when administrators realized the brand new school was already crowded with more than 750 students.

"If you look around the area, there are building lots and houses going up everywhere," said Riverside Principal Don Fawson. "I don't know of anybody who's wanting for students."

Because Riverside Elementary is already over capacity, school board members voted last month to accelerate the building schedule for another elementary school to be built nearby. If all goes well, the new school will open in December next year.

Teachers and students could face an unusual mid-year move-in to relieve crowding, but if that doesn't happen, the district could put portable classrooms at Riverside. That's happening more frequently throughout the district as it struggles to educate its increasing number of students.

Paying for student needs has always been a challenge in Washington County, where the school district includes students from 16 communities spread over an area covering 2,425 square miles.

School Board President Craig Seegmiller said he's been on the board nearly four years, and the district has always managed to "get more bang" for its bucks.

"Our portion of the property taxes have gone down every year," he said. "It's hard to complain when taxes are going down."

But some, like 68-year-old Harvey James, think there's plenty to be concerned about when it comes to how residents pay for the education of the county's school age population.