Board members will cast their final votes on the changes Tuesday, and face criticism regardless of what they decide.
In order to save Granite, the board in November 2005 voted to open the school's boundaries and serve students in 10th through 12th grade. It also placed "smaller learning communities" within the school's jurisdiction, including the Newcomer Academy for students learning English, the Young Parent program and an alternative high school program also known as Central High School. Despite being under the same umbrella, the programs have been housed at different sites.
The Granite High building at 3305 S. 500 East houses Granite High and the Newcomer Academy, while a site at 3900 S. 501 East houses the alternative program and independent study students. The Young Parent program is housed off-site at a satellite location.
The board, however, since has questioned the the wisdom of the arrangement.
Now it wants to add ninth grade at Granite to accommodate overflow of ninth-graders at Granite Park Junior High. As many as 100 ninth-graders would go to Granite, then they could decide to complete high school at Granite or go to 10th grade at their assigned schools.
The proposal also would make the building at 3305 S. 500 East a site for expanded Granite Technical Institute programs. The district would spend $1 million to upgrade the fire alarm system. Another $500,000 would be spent for the GTI expansion.
The 3900 South site would house what would be known as the Granite Peaks Learning Center. Central High would remain at the site. Added would be community and adult education programs, which are now at the GTI building, and the Newcomer Academy. The Young Parents program would remain under the Granite Peaks umbrella but would stay at the satellite location.
"We brought the folks over from each site," Granite Superintendent Stephen Ronnenkamp said. "We had input, discussed it and given the resources that we have, we came up with a recommendation of what ought to happen."
But some parents of Central students have protested the plan to add other programs at the alternative school's location, fearing the additions would take away from what makes the referral high school unique.
Diane Rogers, whose child attends Central, doesn't believe the Newcomers Program belongs at the school.
The Newcomers Program has been successful where it is, added Carole Harris, Granite High principal. "We've put a lot of work [into it] . . . We expressed our concerns but it's up to the board." said Harris who also oversees the Young Parent program and Central High.
Others expressed concern about the Young Parent program staying at the satellite location and not receiving more resources.
Ronnenkamp said the district and the board came up with the proposal based on what they believe is best for students, program compatibility, administrative efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
When the board first considered the plan on Feb. 20, only board member Terry Bawden voted against it, saying he would rather put money into the GTI program or any of the other high schools.
The final vote will take place when the board meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Granite district offices, 2500 S. State St. Public input will be taken before the vote.
rorellana@sltrib.com
