Ogden School District leaders on Aug. (work session) described plans to rebrand the district's James Madison building as the "Ogden Center of Opportunity," pursue philanthropic capital — including a grant application submitted with Intermountain Healthcare — and rely on partner-funded programs, not regular district operating funds, to run services at the site.

District Superintendent Rasmussen told board members the working group has sought outside funders and has already written a competitive grant with Intermountain Healthcare to support capital repairs and program startup needs. "We don't want to spend any district basic funding to run that program," Rasmussen said, describing the district's intent to use philanthropy and partner funding for personnel and capital work.

The proposal would keep existing partner programs housed at the building, expand navigation services for families, and update the facility. Rasmussen listed current partners and activities at the James Madison building, including adult education services in partnership with Weber State University, early learning and Head Start programs with ALCAP, Midtown Clinic health services, a youth-construction program (Youthbuild), Latino behavioral health services, and space used by the Ogden Jets. He said Youthbuild is funded through a roughly $6,000,000 grant and that adult-education funding remains separate from district general funds.

Why it matters: Board members were told the plan would shift the building's public identity and make it easier for community members to see the site as a multi-service resource, not merely a former school. Rasmussen said a name change would reduce confusion and could improve fundraising; the working group recommended the initial name be the "Ogden Center of Opportunity." The district would also pursue capital upgrades such as parking, fire sprinklers and clinic improvements if grant funding is secured.

Discussion details and next steps: Rasmussen said partners are being asked to contribute operations funding and that some current programs pay to occupy space. The working group asked for a shared navigator role — a person who would coordinate partners, referrals and community access — but Rasmussen said the district will not fund that position from basic state or local education funds. "We need somebody over there that can be kind of a navigator and help connect all the dots for the partners," Rasmussen said, then added that the navigator would be supported through philanthropy or partner contributions if the grant is awarded.

Rasmussen also said the working group proposed changing the building's name to "Ogden Center of Opportunity" and that he expects an action item on the name change to appear on a future board meeting agenda. He described the grant as competitive and said the outcome is not yet known. No board vote or formal commitment of district general funds occurred during the work session.

What was not decided: Board members did not vote on the name change or accept any grant funds at the meeting. Rasmussen said a formal action item to change the facility's name would be brought to a future board meeting. The district did not commit operating budget dollars to staff the center; existing partner-funded programs would continue under their current funding streams.

Ending: Board members asked for additional updates as grant and fundraising work continues. Rasmussen said he would bring a formal naming action item to the next board meeting for consideration.