As students across the Salt Lake Valley anxiously await the upcoming summer holidays, three Granite District schools are preparing to close their doors once and for all. 

The decision follows a 2022 population analysis survey, that prompted Granite School District board members to vote whether or not to retire three of their current elementary schools. Following a unanimous vote, Twin Peaks, Spring Lane and Mill Creek elementary schools will all close permanently come summer 2023. While the board seemingly had no issue with coming to an agreement, the public was not so easily convinced. In fact, during a November 2022 board meeting (prior to the vote) most who spoke were in vehement opposition to closing the schools. 

Many community speakers were disenchanted by the fact that these three schools have populations that are diverse both racially and socioeconomically. Twin Peaks’ student body is 43% Latino and Spring Lane’s demographic includes 43% of students who are people of color. 

Moreover, these three schools all serve a sizable population of students that are disadvantaged economically. Mill Creek in particular is within close proximity to crucial resources such as homeless and domestic violence shelters. Mill Creek also houses an onsite food pantry, where students can easily access food and other provisions as a part of their daily schedule. 

Many parents felt there was a fundamental lack of representation present in the proceedings. April Flores, the PTA president at Mill Creek Elementary School, gave an impassioned speech, calling on the importance of representation. A sentiment that was delivered to a board comprised of seven elected officials, all of whom are white. 

“Representation matters,” Flores told them. “It matters in the classrooms. And it matters at the administrative level.”

Other speakers shared similar concerns but were ultimately met with a firm declaration from the board that the decision was a long time coming, following years of declining enrollment. Back in September 2022, the District held a meeting open to the public to discuss the results of the population analysis survey, that ultimately led to these decisions surrounding the closures. In the meeting, it was touched on that the District had already conducted similar studies for a number of schools on the westside. (Granite’s boundaries include schools on both the west and east sides of the valley). 

That previous study also led to a number of closures in the western portion of the District. In 2024, Granite will conduct yet another study that encompasses the very westernmost boundary of the District, and in 2025 they will return to the eastside to do the same thing at the very easternmost boundary. 

Ben Horsley, the chief of staff for Granite School District, spoke at the September meeting about the declining enrollment rates, comparing Granite to other districts located in Salt Lake and Utah counties. 

“The reason why we’re looking at these closures is because we are not growing like places like Jordan and Davis and Alpine school districts with a ton of new growth. We anticipate that by 2024/25 we are probably going to be around 50,000 students, so we actually expect to lose a few more thousand students,” Horsley said. 

Horsley also referenced a 20-year study that highlighted the staggering enrollment rates. Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s the District hit its peak with roughly 78,000 students enrolled across the board. That number has steadily, yet significantly, dwindled. Horsley also mentioned that the District’s physical facilities have not followed suit and are operating as they were during the peak years, undoubtedly costing the District excess funds. 

Fast forward to November 2022, and the District had all but made up its mind. A month later in December, the closures would be official. Steve Hogan, the director of planning and boundaries for Granite District said, “it’s very very tough, but this is not really a surprise.” 

Granite is not the only district in the valley struggling with enrollment. Salt Lake City School District has also gone on the record stating that their enrollment numbers are down, referencing the Covid-19 pandemic as a significant turning point in their trajectory. Granite has fared similarly, stating that they never were able to recoup that population of students that left during the height of the pandemic. 

Furthermore, nearby charter schools have experienced an influx of new students, with a significant portion of them coming from Granite. Hogan referenced a charter school in nearby West Valley City that currently houses 600 students. Of those 600, about 500 used to attend Granite schools.

As for Twin Peaks and Spring Lane? Both of these institutions are built to accommodate about 600 students, yet neither school’s enrollment had surpassed 300 students as of fall 2022. At the same time, Mill Creek’s numbers weren’t much higher, reporting only 305 enrolled students. Granite argues the operational costs that it takes to keep these schools afloat could be better utilized elsewhere in the District. 

Yet many parents still counteracted these numbers, by pointing out that other nearby schools in the District have even less students enrolled, but because they serve predominantly wealthy and white populations, they’re receiving preferential treatment. Passionate parents also explained that studies cannot reflect the importance of community and the benefit of certain programs that currently exist at the closing schools. Arguing that while academics are imperative to development, so are social programs and solidifying a sense of community for students. Especially for diverse populations that have felt historically ostracized and “othered.” 

Despite the sizable backlash, it is worth noting that several parents stood in solidarity with the decision, citing that they felt their children were being slighted and not offered equitable education opportunities due to the population disparities. 

Ultimately, in the several months since the announcement of the closures, officials, notably Hogan, have expressed a desire to work closely with those affected and concerned. Stating that no matter what transpires, the District would come together with the parents to “figure this out.” 

As Mill Creek enters the final stretch of its days in operation, the District remains confident in their decision, saying they worked hard to find the best solution with the least possible impact to the well-being of students. There were several options proposed, following the results of the population analysis, however, after review, the District felt the decision to close these three schools was the most balanced. 

For the past several months, principals at all three schools have helped prepare parents for the transition, especially those participating in the PTA and various community councils. Granite promised to follow suit, doing what they can to accommodate students who will be attending new schools come fall 2023.

While the dust has largely settled following the decision to close Spring Lane, Twin Peaks and Mill Creek, other parts of the District should probably anticipate similar closures in the next coming years. With no sign of trends shifting course, it is likely that more District schools will permanently close their doors in 2024 and 2025.  λ