School's request raises ire in Draper

DRAPER — A simple request for expansion has Summit Academy charter school embroiled in controversy — making friends and enemies.

The Draper City Council this week approved a resolution supporting the request of the kindergarten through ninth-grade charter school in Draper.

Whether the council's stamp of approval will sway the State Board of Education is yet to be seen. At least one board member, Teresa Theurer, is not happy Summit was late with its request notification.

Two residents spoke out against the resolution during Tuesday night's council meeting, both complaining the council didn't make the resolution public prior to the meeting. They also contend the council is out of its jurisdiction in making statements about schools.

"It's completely improper. It's not their responsibility to police the charter school world," said Draper resident Christina Kesler-Day. She spoke with the Deseret News after the meeting.

Further, some residents in Draper feel they deserve a mainstream high school from Jordan School District — not a charter school. "Jordan District made a lot of promises they didn't keep," Kesler-Day said.

However, Jordan District officials said the district never promised Draper a high school, although a middle school was tentatively scheduled but delayed because of rising construction costs.

Jordan District Superintendent Barry Newbold said that while the district owns land sufficient for a high school, it has "never been included in any bond nor has it been a recent topic of discussion among board members." There is still room at Jordan High School to accommodate students.

Draper council's resolution passed 4-0, with Councilman Troy Walker recusing himself. Walker is on the Summit Academy Board of Trustees.

The resolution was written by Draper Councilman Bill Colbert — who is also on the State Board of Education. Colbert told the Deseret News he doesn't feel his authoring the resolution was a conflict of interest because he has no financial interest in the action.

State Board of Education vice president Mark Cluff agreed with Colbert, saying it is not a conflict.

Cluff told the Deseret News he plans to vote to approve Summit's request during the Dec. 16 board meeting. Draper's resolution "gives credence" to Summit's request, he said. "It's a good school," Cluff added.