Granite keeps 2 schools open

The Granite Board of Education on Tuesday abandoned a proposal to close two elementary schools.

Still, boundaries could change for 15 elementaries, affecting about 875 students districtwide — more than 100 each at Granger and David Gourley elementaries — under a proposal the board adopted for public input.

First, the school closure issues:

A computer program that counts students within each school's boundaries contained a glitch, leading the district to underestimate how many students live in Canyon Rim and Mill Creek elementary schools' boundaries.

Basically, the program, devised with figures from the county, does not account for roads on private property, such as in apartment complexes. It also left out one full street where some 30 Canyon Rim students live.

Officials investigated the numbers following a community outcry.

"That's why we have this process," school board vice president Patricia Sandstrom said.

"It makes us (so we don't) go in red-faced and embarrassed . . . and allows us to backtrack," agreed district planning and boundaries director Jerry Pulsipher. "And this is a backtrack, big time."

Parents from both schools cheered the district's willingness to listen and leave things alone at least for now.

"I was very relieved to see that the process worked," said Mill Creek mother Lee Hicks.

As for the other boundary proposals, parents will have a chance to give their input on how make room for growth in the west and close enrollment gaps in aging east-side neighborhoods.

Officials have set up three open houses, beginning Tuesday. Comments will be weighed before the final recommendations are put forth. The school board will vote on boundary changes in late November.

The district annually assesses student populations, and an "options committee" of school workers and parents forwards suggestions on how to balance enrollments. The process includes examining census information and issues including safety, neighborhoods, limiting use of portable classrooms and cost-effectiveness.

Last year, Libbie Edward and Holladay elementary schools closed.

Under the proposal: