Plan to close middle school draws emotional responses

PROVO — For six hours Wednesday, an open house at the Provo School District office turned into a public forum for venting over the possible closure of Farrer Middle School, an option cited in one of the scenarios the Board of Education could include in a new 10-year master plan.

Some cried out against the idea, claiming Farrer students wouldn't get a comparable education if they are crammed into the remaining two middle schools, Dixon and Centennial.

Others, however, voiced support for the option that would relocate Joaquin Elementary School students to the Farrer building due to safety concerns about the Joaquin building.

And there was a general lack of consensus on other options being proposed for the master plan, which school board members have been working on over the past several months.

"Change is always hard, even when it's necessary," said Ted Kelly, special education coordinator for the district. "The minute change impacts your child, the harder it is to look at issues objectively."

Provo parent Laura Haws admits the district has a challenging task — finding a way to fix dilapidated school buildings and realign lopsided boundaries using tight funds.

But as a former Dixon Middle School teacher, she worries about the educational repercussions of increasing the student body size at a school built in 1931.

"It's not about having enough classrooms, it's about getting students to and from classes without making them feel like cattle," Daws said. "But something needs to be done, and at least they're trying."

Superintendent Randy Merrill admits no master plan will be perfect because the district doesn't have the resources to build new facilities designed for small student bodies.

He said the board remains committed to finding the best way to fix and fill the existing Provo schools.

"We've been effective, but we haven't been efficient," Merrill said. "A master plan is responsible management of taxpayer dollars."

Most parents, however, aren't worried about money at this point, though the master plan would likely require a bonding if adopted as proposed.

Instead, they're concerned about the unknown — like which Farrer students will attend which middle schools or where Farrer's faculty will end up.

Farrer Principal Steve Oliverson said he's confident the district will make the right choice in the next few weeks.

"The board has a tough decision to make, and I think they'll make the right one, whatever that is," Oliverson said. "And we'll support them, whatever that is."

Merrill said he already knows what his choice would be, but he's not telling.

For now, it's up to the public to weigh in on their preferences and help the board select a master plan that will guide the district through the next decade, he said.

"No decision has been made," Merrill reiterated. "We're still asking for public input."

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E-mail: lwarner@desnews.com