Jordan board reaches out to Draper
The discussion stemmed, in part, from a Draper City Council resolution asserting that vacant district land owned in the city should be retained for educational purposes. The discussion was also a follow-up to a resolution passed by the board in September 2007 asking school district staff to find funding for a new middle school in Draper.
Quickly growing Draper is the largest city in the state without its own high school, according to its public officials. It also does not have its own middle school, though it has wanted one for years.
"I would like to work with them in lockstep," said board member Sherril Taylor, whose precinct includes Draper. "I'm saying we should approach them. We should see what they can do and what we can do. There are 1,600 middle-school kids in area. We need to serve them."
The 90-minute discussion began with a report from Deputy Superintendent Burke Jolley. He said a middle school in Draper could be built if land owned by the district in that city were sold. The $28 million project was projected to fall short by $6 million, which could be made up in any of several ways.
Board members were also concerned that taking any steps now could hurt an east-side school district board to be elected in July.
"Those discussions need to take place with east-side school board," said board member Peggy Jo Kennett. "There are a lot of ramifications to a decision like this."
The concerns were countered by statements that any information is good, the board shouldn't stop functioning while it waits for the new board elections, and the board has responsibility to all its students.
Board member Kim Murphy-Horiuchi also said the board should acknowledge the city resolution, which seemed to be a direct message to the board.
In addition to discussing a middle school, the dialogue between the board and Draper could include a proposed, city-sponsored charter high school, board members said.
Draper Councilman Troy Walker has suggested that the city could buy 50 acres of school district land and build a college prep high school there. The land, appraised by the district at $17 million, could be purchased at discounted rates, Walker said.
The school board didn't decide Tuesday whether it would be willing to sell land but decided it wanted to start a dialogue. Board member Tracy Cowdell mentioned that initiating discussions with all cities would be wise.
"Obviously we've got to be more creative in how we're funding (new schools)," he said. "We're really in a crisis level."
E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com
Recent comments
I would love to see a middle school in Draper, but not at the expense...
What school will close? | March 5, 2008 at 8:01 a.m.
