The following is a condensed version of a petition signed by hundreds of Granite School District families and stakeholders representing multiple elementary schools and junior highs. It reflects widespread concern ahead of the district’s first public hearing on Nov. 18, where the board will vote on proposed school closures and boundary changes for Granite’s Area 5. A final decision is expected Dec. 2.
Dear Granite School District Board of Education:
Families across the Granite School District are alarmed by the lack of long-term planning in the Population Analysis Committee’s (PAC) recommendations. The proposed closures and boundary changes affect multiple schools and communities, yet the district has not presented a comprehensive strategy to guide these decisions.
For example, Morningside Elementary is a high-utilization, high-performing school offering three strong educational programs. The proposal to eliminate its traditional track and convert the school into a magnet for French Dual Immersion and the Advanced Learning Center (ALC) is deeply concerning. It would dismantle a stable, inclusive neighborhood school without a clear plan for what comes next.
The magnet model lacks permanence and planning. The ALC’s future placement remains unclear, and no strategy has been shared for supporting students with disabilities. Without robust infrastructure and long-term commitment, this conversion risks becoming a short-term experiment that leads to further disruption — or another closure.
Research shows school closures destabilize communities, reduce academic achievement, and disproportionately harm vulnerable students. Other proposed changes within the PAC recommendations risk fragmenting communities, compounding displacement, and weakening trust in district leadership.
We urge the Granite School District Board of Education to reject the current proposal and instead seek a master plan — one that protects thriving programs, minimizes displacement, and supports schools that families actively choose.
Mary Anne Davies, Millcreek
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