Oquirrh Hills Elementary Set To Close For Not Meeting State Requirements
Jan 8, 2019, 11:05 PM | Updated: Jan 9, 2019, 1:36 am
KEARNS, Utah – Granite Board of Education members have voted to close Oquirrh Hills Elementary School in Kearns.
Under the state Turn Around law, the school cannot continue to educate students as it currently is doing after this school year for repeatedly getting failing grades.
Kearns Metro Township Mayor Kelly Bush
Parents and local leaders associated with the school shared their frustrations at a lively public hearing.
Because the Oquirrh Hills school’s letter grade did not improve during the three year turnaround period, the UT State Board of Education requires the local board to turn the school over to a non-profit or to change school boundaries and transfer staff.
The Granite board believed the later was the best option.
Rep. Karen Mayne says while she voted for the law; she now sees there are huge holes in the legislation.
Folks who opposed the closure weren’t happy with board communication over the three year “turnaround” period and how this closure will impact students.
“You don’t close a school. It’s a building. You change teachers. You change administrators,” said Kearns resident Paula Larson. “I do realize money is involved in this, but so are my children and my community.”
“This is a learning curve for all of us. This is new state law. It’s only been around for a few years and we’re all dealing with the brand new repercussions of that law,” said Granite School District Communications Director Ben Horsley.
Nine out of Granite School District’s ten school’s on the turnaround cohort succeeded and graduated.
Kearns isn’t the only community dealing with this situation.
Canyons District, for example, has asked the State Board of Education for an extension for Midvale Elementary.
Pioneer Charter School in American Fork has already closed.
The Granite School board says their priority is kids, and their next focus is a smooth transition for the students.
