From Deseret News archives:
Granite's decision necessary
No such luck.
The Granite School Board on Tuesday voted to close Canyon Rim and Meadow Moor elementary schools and change Granite High into a nontraditional school. The board's decision came some two years after it ordered a study of the shrinking school district, eventually empaneling a committee to develop options to address 8,700 empty seats across the district.
A long, emotional debate ensued, and the school board voted initially to close no schools. After further consideration of concerns, including those raised by the Granite Education Association that its members were not willing to balance the district's budget on the backs of educators, the school board took a different approach.
In a political sense, no school closure is a political win. But under Granite District's financial realities, the board took necessary action to cut costs.
Although the closure of Canyon Rim was painful, it makes financial sense considering that halting busing to the school would have left it with just 210 students. As school board member Sarah Meier observed, "That's one teacher per grade, and that's just not acceptable."
It is difficult to envision Granite High's new role as a 10th- through 12th-grade school with smaller learning communities and a strong career emphasis. The school also will feature an integrated fine arts program, a program for English as a second language and programs for struggling students. Also, the school district's program for teen parents will move to Granite. But the district has definite need of educational alternatives, and Granite High's central location makes it ideal for these purposes.
Granite High's traditional boundaries have been dissolved, meaning students will be reassigned to other high schools beginning next fall. One of the ugly sidelines of the school closure debate was whether students from the diverse Granite High would feel welcomed elsewhere if their school was closed. It's time to set aside this pettiness and embrace these students with open arms. Frankly, many Granite District high schools would benefit from enhanced ethnic diversity. Witness the strength of Salt Lake's high schools.
Now that the difficult decisions have been made, the school district has to deliver on the purported cost savings, because the school board has reached its legal limit on raising taxes. It could bond to construct buildings, but bond proceeds cannot be used for school operation costs such as teacher salaries or education programs.
Frankly, it's too early to say definitively whether the decisions of the school board will achieve the cost savings that are expected. But the board should be commended for making very difficult choices amid great political pressure. The board acknowledged taxpayers' expectations that it use the district's resources in a manner that is fiscally sound and in the students' best interest.
Comments
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 4:22 p.m.
- Study: Costs rise under health bill 4:13 p.m.
- Williams to miss Cavs game, too 4:06 p.m.
- Weber St. gets past No. Arizona 4:01 p.m.
- In Asia, Obama pushing arms control 3:50 p.m.
- Texas rolls 47-14 over Baylor 3:48 p.m.
- Snowstorm hits Utah; 1 dead in crash 3:43 p.m.
- Montana wins Big Sky with win 3:43 p.m.
- Rep. bashes Dems over health care 3:41 p.m.
- No. 21 Wisconsin beats Michigan 3:26 p.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- D-Will home for daughter
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Born of water and the spirit
- Woods Cross refinery to shut down
- 5A: Bingham rolls to title game
- Man killed during 3rd I-15 crash
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
353 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - Senators want food tax restored
164 - Will state consider gay rights law?
147 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
122 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
105 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
I believe that this decision by the LDS church makes their stand even...
Eh, it may have bad acting, but it looks like good, cheesy fun with lots of...
Pathetic showing by BYU!
Bronco is on KSL talking about how good BYU played last week against...
Congratulations! You've stayed positive and won a great game. A brighter...
Not everyone has the ability to be a nurse to his or her spouse. The reality...
Where is the love for the game of Football people? I am In love with the...
fan saw New Mexico outplay BYU today and yet lose. I take heart from the...
What a colossal embarrassment for the conference. The supposed 22nd ranked...
on a great season. You represented region 9 very well. Considering the fact...


You can be the first to comment on this story.