Residents, teachers and students press board over plan to reuse district properties for CTE center and athletics

The Salt Lake City School Board held a time‑certain public comment session at 7:15 p.m. on May 6 focused on proposed district uses for several properties, including the former Riley Elementary site and athletic‑field needs. Dozens of residents, teachers, students and parents spoke, asking for clearer plans, protections for neighborhood schools and equitable access to career and technical education programs.

Several themes emerged from the comments:

Welding instruction, access and equity: Denise Hefner, who identified herself as the district’s welding teacher for 17 years, said the district historically placed welding at Highland High because the new tech center “didn’t want the dirty trades” when it was built. She told the board the Highland shop is undersized and fragmented and that “welding instruction would be far more effective if housed at a centralized purpose‑built location that ensures equitable access for all students.” She said welding demand has grown: “When I first began teaching in 2008, I had a total of 82 students. As of this school year, enrollment has grown to 314, making welding the largest CTE program offered by the tech center.”

Embedded CTE…