USDB committee backs full Salt Lake campus rebuild, seeks 147,700 sq ft target

The USDB standing committee voted to forward a recommendation to the Utah State Board of Education to fund a full replacement of the Salt Lake City campus under DFCM scenario 4, which the committee described as demolishing the existing JMS building, removing portable units and building a modern K–12 center sized for 2040 enrollment projections (target 147,700 gross square feet).

Committee members pressed staff for specifics on site acquisition and programming. Chair Leanne Wood presented the motion and member Longacre moved it; the committee discussed previous funding set-asides, and assistant director Darrell Hunting reported the state had purchased the middle of three adjacent properties but the other two owners were unwilling or noncommittal to sell. On whether eminent domain was considered, Wood said the working group had no appetite for eminent domain. Superintendent Nelson told the committee that the HOK study projects a future requirement of about 147,700 gsf for Salt Lake, compared with the current approximately 78,700 gsf (JMS = 42,000; OEC = 48,688), and that 2025 enrollment exceeded earlier projections, supporting use of 2040 projections for planning.

Board member Cindy Davis emphasized messaging to legislators: "we need this amount of square footage for this number of students," and urged a clear breakdown of classroom, office, storage and shared space in any legislative presentation. Davis also said, "I am in 100% agreement that that JMS has to go," voicing support for timely action. The committee approved the recommendation and will forward it, with staff directed to coordinate with DFCM on programming and cost estimates and to prepare a legislative funding request for the 2027 session.