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Board questions district survey as Granite considers extended-school-year pilot at Plymouth Elementary
Summary
Administrators proposed a pilot extended school year at Plymouth Elementary and presented survey results showing high response but mixed support; trustees raised procedural concerns and the superintendent said he takes responsibility for conducting the survey.
District administrators presented a proposed extended-school-year pilot for Plymouth Elementary and emphasized that no implementation decision has been made.
Dr. Mitch Nerdin reviewed reasons, goals, a draft calendar and a daily schedule for the pilot and said the district is allowing time to evaluate whether a pilot is the right course. Administrators said the district gathered unusually high survey response—about 88% of families—and that about 47% of respondents opposed starting the extended year that summer while only 2.4% said they would transfer to another school. Administrators also noted many comments asked for more time before implementation.
Board member Karyn Winder said she was "shocked and unhappy" about a January survey that she believed moved forward despite significant board concern. Winder asked, "Who was around the table when the decision to go ahead and survey despite at least half of the board not in favor?" and said the board should be in support before surveys are conducted.
Superintendent Ben Horsley responded that he "takes full responsibility for the decision," saying community information was needed to determine feasibility and that the administration would not move forward without board support. Horsley and Dr. Nerdin said the district will continue community engagement with additional meetings planned in spring and fall and will bring a final recommendation to the board before October.
Administrators explained funding context: Plymouth has a federal turnaround designation and Granite receives Title I funds based on community poverty; after set-asides, remaining Title I allocations are distributed to qualifying schools based on per-pupil allocation (PPA). Dr. Nerdin noted past legislative conversations that at one point included interest from the senate president in providing about $1 million over three years for such efforts, but said those discussions did not proceed given board and community concerns.
Board members asked logistical questions about staffing, calendar, attendance, and family supports; administrators said transportation options would be available for the small share of families (2.4%) who said they would transfer, and that open enrollment and regional outreach could affect future interest in the pilot.
