News Summary
Parents and community members in Millcreek are protesting the potential closure of Eastwood Elementary School. The Granite School District attributes the decision to dwindling enrollments, with Eastwood currently serving only 270 students. The school community labels Eastwood as a ‘thriving, high-performing school’ and intends to voice their concerns in an upcoming public meeting. This situation reflects a broader trend of school closures in the district, amidst declining student populations over the years.
Millcreek, Utah – Eastwood Elementary School Faces Potential Closure Amid Protests
Parents and community members in Millcreek are rallying against the proposed closure of Eastwood Elementary School, a well-regarded institution within the Granite School District. Protesters, including parents and students, voiced their concerns outside Skyline High School ahead of a district boundary meeting, where the potential closure was on the agenda. The protests included chants such as “Don’t mess with our Eagle’s Nest!”, referencing Eastwood’s school mascot, the eagle.
The Granite School District has cited dwindling enrollments as the primary factor for considering the closure of Eastwood. According to Superintendent Ben Horsley, the district has experienced a decline of over 15,000 students in the past decade and a total drop of approximately 20,000 students in the last 25 years. Currently, Eastwood has an enrollment of just 270 students, with a utilization rate of 54%, compared to its capacity of around 500 students. The proposal involves merging Eastwood’s boundaries with those of Oakridge Elementary, which has a lower utilization rate of 47% but was chosen to remain open due to its larger capacity and logistical advantages for drop-off and pick-up.
Community Concerns
Many parents, including Nastasya Mangone, expressed outrage at the district’s decision to target Eastwood, labeling it a “thriving, high-performing school” that is critical to the community. Keaton Gelwix, a parent of two Eastwood students, also conveyed frustration regarding the feeling of being ignored by district officials, reaffirming the respect and admiration for the school among parents and students.
The upcoming public meeting scheduled for November 2023 is expected to provide additional opportunities for parents and community members to voice their opinions on the possible closure. A final decision regarding Eastwood’s status is anticipated in December 2023.
Broader Trends in School Closures
The consideration of Eastwood Elementary’s closure reflects a wider trend within the Granite School District. Over the past seven years, the district has closed 10 schools, largely attributed to decreasing student populations and changing demographics in the area. In addition to Eastwood, Morningside Elementary is also under review for closure; however, it may transition to a K-5 French dual language immersion program should it be closed.
As the board of the Granite School District continues to study enrollment and resource allocation, community members remain anxious about the future of Eastwood Elementary and the implications of its potential closure for the Millcreek community.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 13 Now
- Wikipedia: Education in Utah
- Salt Lake Tribune
- Google Search: Granite School District
- KSL News
- Google Scholar: School Closures in Utah
- Virtual Builder Exchange
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Millcreek
- KSL TV
- Google News: Millcreek School Closure
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