Two elementaries OK'd to house 8 grades

The Salt Lake Board of Education has approved recommendations for two elementary schools to move forward with plans to morph to kindergarten-through-eighth-grade schools next fall.

Under the plan, Nibley Park and Whittier elementary schools would have around $4 million each to make construction adjustments to the buildings as well as funding to hire additional staff.

But first the schools must show they have commitments of at least 28 students at each school to sustain the program before bidding construction.

"The design work is the critical next step," said McKell Withers, district superintendent. "But you need to see if you have the students before you can move forward."

Principals at both of the schools are taking the plans back to their school communities, gathering input and gauging interest and support before the board will give the final go-ahead.

"We can build a great program and I am confident that we can pull this together," said Jane Fitts, principal of Whittier Elementary. "But this is going to take some time — it's not an overnight process or even a two-year process ... and we need to get moving on this ASAP."

Last year district leaders offered the option of converting to K-8 configurations to 11 east-side schools that feed into Clayton and Hillside middle schools.

The proposal spurred months of emotional and passionate debate in school communities surrounding the value or lack thereof in K-8 schools.

Nibley Park and Whittier elementaries opted for the change.

District leaders said national statistics show middle schoolers perform better in a more nurturing environment surrounded by teachers who know them — and their individual achievement levels — well.

Leaders pointed out that school transitions for seventh-grade students can be tough and some can fall through the cracks.

But at most schools, the idea was not welcomed with open arms. Some parents met the proposal with passionate opposition.

A number of parents spoke out against the concept, saying it was a bad idea to have such a broad range of ages under the same roof. They also were concerned K-8 schools would be unable to offer all the programs of large middle schools, such as music, art, foreign languages and shop.

According to the district's plan, implementation of the new configuration would be at least a three-year process, though school leaders said it will most likely take about five years to make the transition.

Schools will get start-up funding the first two years and possibly a third year based on review.

School leaders were asked to submit a list of sixth-grade students who have made a commitment to continue in the seventh grade at their respective schools in fall 2007. The board will then give final approval in January.

---

E-mail: terickson@desnews.com