Weber School Board pauses Loma/Lohman view closure after public outcry, calls for independent analysis

The Weber School District board voted unanimously to pause the proposed closure of the elementary school at the center of a recent boundary study and to hire an outside data analyst to review enrollment, housing and program variables before any final decision. Superintendent Butters told trustees the district’s closure and boundary review had surfaced important variables — including a dual‑language immersion (DLI) program review and evolving housing projections — that warrant deeper, third‑party analysis.

"I as the superintendent together with our district leadership team recommend at this time pausing the decision regarding the potential closure of Loma View Elementary to allow for a more complete and informed analysis," Butters said during the meeting.

The decision followed extended public comment from parents and community members who argued the school is high‑performing and that closing it now would risk overcrowding nearby schools. Olivia Andrew, representing herself and families at the school, urged trustees to "pause this study" and consider the broader Weber cone and pending demographic shifts before acting. Other speakers cited test‑score performance, community stability and the cost tradeoffs of renovating an older building versus building anew.

Data questions surfaced in testimony. One commenter cited a district estimate of about $19,000,000 in maintenance work the district presented for the aging facility and contrasted that with a recently completed neighboring school he said cost $54,700,000. Trustees and public speakers also highlighted planned new housing and questioned whether district projections had been independently verified.

Board members framed their vote as an exercise in stewardship. Several members — including Janice and Kelly — thanked community participants and staff for a thorough public process and supported expanding the study to a district‑wide boundary and staffing analysis. Trustees said the pause is intended to produce a sustainable, long‑term solution that minimizes disruption to students and taxpayers.

The board’s motion to "vote not to close Loma View Elementary at this time" was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote with no opposed voices recorded. Trustees directed district leadership to proceed with plans to engage an outside analyst and to report findings back to the board.

Next steps include selecting and contracting with a third‑party analyst, continuing the district‑wide data collection described by the superintendent, and returning recommendations to the board for a future decision. The meeting adjourned later that night.