Millcreek residents urge Granite School District to reconsider boundary study that could close Eastwood Elementary

Millcreek — Dozens of parents and neighbors told the Millcreek City Council March 24 they are concerned about a Granite School District boundary study that could close community elementary schools, including Eastwood Elementary.

"This PAC study is gutting our family and our community," resident Charlie Thomas told the council, citing active parent organizing and worry that the district will move forward despite heavy public feedback.

Why it matters: Speakers said community schools provide more than instruction — they are neighborhood gathering places that support walkability, informal childcare help among neighbors, and longstanding social ties. Parents described making signs and canvassing, organizing meetings and asking the council to urge the district to find alternatives to school closures.

Longer public remarks came from parent Jessa Munyan, who brought her daughter Stone Roach to the microphone. Stone told the council, "I feel a little bit scared, and I don't want it to, and I want to help to not make it close." Munyan and other parents described dense neighborhood ties — bike-to-school cohorts, a co-op history at Eastwood and volunteer willingness from parents to support school activities — that they said the district’s consolidation plan would disrupt.

Mayor Jeff Silvestrini and other council members acknowledged the community's concerns and said Millcreek will try to influence Granite School District decisions though the district has final authority. "It's not our decision, but we will do what we can to interface with the school district," the mayor said, acknowledging past closures in Millcreek and the neighborhood impacts such actions cause.

Councilmember Sherry Jackson noted she and other council members have been personally involved in school-related responses in the past and committed the council to advocacy efforts. The council did not take formal action but said staff would continue communications with Granite School District and encouraged affected residents to use the district's comment window.

Ending: Parents said the comment window is short and vowed to continue organizing. Council members urged continued engagement and said the council will relay community concerns to Granite School District but cannot override district decisions.