I’m a father of two students who currently attend Wasatch Elementary School. My oldest just finished sixth grade there. I urge the Salt Lake City Board of Education not to close the school.
I read the legislative audit recommending closures. I was dismayed by the near-gleeful bashing of public schools, threats to pass laws that limit financing of district programs and the paternalistic talking-down to city taxpayers as if we don’t understand how to read an election ballot.
What it really highlighted was the state’s failure to present a vision for education in Utah’s capitol city.
That’s not surprising. The Utah State Legislature, which finally passed vouchers after a years-long attack on public education, is the last source I’d listen to if I were a member of the school board.
Yes, enrollment is declining, as it is across the country in schools hammered by the pandemic and increased housing costs. Yes, there’s been dysfunction on your school board.
Move past these temporary obstacles. Put forth a vision for the Salt Lake City of the future.
Don’t close Wasatch, an “A” school (according to the state report card) which offers mixed-income students an arts-based curriculum that could be mimicked across the district. Instead, grow a sustainable program offering high-quality, public education more broadly. We have room. We’re centrally located between downtown and the University of Utah. Fill up our school — don’t close it down. Instead:
Look for opportunities for Wasatch to continue to partner with Bryant Middle School.
Support city and county efforts to address the affordable housing shortage, build parks and other family-centered infrastructure.
Continue to support free public transit for students.
Partner with the arts community and the university.
Chris Barker, Salt Lake City