Boys school sought in Saratoga Springs

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs leaders are mulling a proposal by two local men to build an $11 million private boys-only school in the city.

The school, which has been given the name Fremont Leadership Academy, would be geared toward boys 10 to 17 who are struggling at home or at school and who may be teetering on the edge of serious trouble with the law, according to Martin Patane and Wayne Tarawhiti, who want to build and run the facility.

Patane uses the term "front-end kids" when describing the type of boys who would be accepted at the school — those who officials think need a controlled environment to curb early tendencies to flout rules at school or home. Some of the boys may be referred to the school from the Division of Child and Family Services and state youth correction groups.

"This school is going to be more of an academic facility interested in prevention of problems," Tarawhiti said.

Ken Stettler, director of the licensing office for Utah's Division of Health Services, said the proposal submitted by Patane and Tarawhiti passes muster.

"The physical plans, the policies and procedures, at this point, look very good," Stettler said.

If plans are realized, the 90,000-square-foot facility would house up to 146 students.

Students, who also would enroll in vocational training courses, would stay year-round.

Patane, who owns Pyramid Construction, which builds homes in Saratoga Springs, and West Valley-based Pyramid Youth Services, has worked as a counselor and probation officer in the state youth corrections program.

"I want to be part of something that really works. Too often, the kids in these kinds of facilities are treated like robots," Patane said.

Admission won't be cheap. It will generally run about $200 a day, but Patane said Medicaid and private insurance may pay most of the cost since the students would have been seen by therapists and diagnosed with a medical or emotional need for such supervision.

Patane and three private donors, who have asked for anonymity, have funds set aside to pay for the construction of the school.

Saratoga Springs officials would ultimately decide if the school could be built in the community. The City Council is scheduled to talk about the issue May 11 at 7 p.m.

Several residents are worried about safe access to the property and about buffer zones.

Others, like Ralph Rudd, said, "This is going to be a wonderful facility. The homes around should not be affected in value."

Patane said those behind the school, which would be built at 7916 N. Redwood on 29 acres of farmland, expect to obtain a license to operate it as a residential treatment facility.

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