Granite School District outlines boundary review that could close one or two elementary schools serving Emigration Canyon

Steve Hogan, director of planning and boundaries for Granite School District, told the Emigration Canyon council and residents that the district’s ongoing boundary study could lead to the closure of one or two elementary schools that serve families in the canyon.

"This study is almost a calendar year. We started in February and we will continue through December," Hogan said, and later told the meeting he would "make an initial recommendation to the board as far as what to do ... a week from today." He said the district will hold two large public meetings at Skyline and Olympus in late September and expects a board first reading in November, followed by final action in December.

Why it matters: the study responds to years of declining enrollment across the district. Hogan said Granite had about 75,000 students roughly 25–30 years ago and now has about 55,000. In the study area that includes Emigration Canyon, the district is evaluating enrollment, building condition and other factors to determine whether to close elementary schools and how to redraw feeder boundaries for middle and high schools.

Hogan said Eastwood Elementary and Oak Ridge have been flagged previously because both are among the district’s older facilities. "My guess is ... one of either Eastwood or Oak Ridge would be recommended for closure," he told the meeting, but he emphasized the board would make the final decision after the remaining hearings and committee work.

Residents pressed for details at the public meeting. Camille (a resident) asked whether the study considers moving Emigration Canyon into another district; Hogan replied that changing district boundaries is not in the study’s scope. A Granite staff estimate presented at the meeting said the study examines roughly 35–40 elementary schools in the relevant planning area and an additional 10–15 secondary schools when feeder patterns are included.

Several parents said they worry closures would push families toward private or charter schools. Hogan acknowledged there is limited public data on where students move after a closure because charter school enrollment records are not always shared with the district, and described the district’s experience as mixed: some parents briefly change schools and return, while others do not.

Hogan described the district’s target size for a healthy elementary as roughly 500–600 students, which he said typically allows three teachers per grade and reduces "split" classes. He said the district has closed about 10 elementary schools in the last five to six years as part of repeated studies.

The district is using mailers, school-based notices and public meetings to reach residents. Hogan gave two large community meeting dates as September 23 (Skyline) and September 25 (Olympus) and said the district will publish more details on its website and in mailings. He invited residents to review the study materials posted on the Granite Schools planning and boundaries page and to provide feedback.

Residents said they will continue to attend district meetings and urged the school board and district staff to consider travel time and school access for canyon families in any boundary decision. Hogan said he would remain available at public events and to answer questions as the committee prepares its recommendation.