Parents and teachers warn of safety and disruption as board approves first reading to close Orchard Elementary

The Granite School District Board of Education voted on Nov. 12 to approve, on first reading, a plan to close Orchard Elementary and reassign its students to Copper Hills and Whittier only. The motion, made by Kris Nguyen and seconded by Julie Jackson, passed unanimously.

Parents and community members testified at a public hearing about safety and logistical concerns if Orchard closes. Candice Feil, Community Council chair at Orchard Elementary, said her street would be left outside proposed busing and that children would be forced to cross two busy streets. She warned that "it would require crossing two very busy streets" and pleaded with the board to provide safe access. Lindsey Moseley, whose children attend Orchard on a permit, said local childcare providers could lose income and single-parent families could struggle to get students to a different school.

Teachers and staff also raised concerns about process and transparency. Emily Schultz, a Magna Elementary teacher speaking on behalf of faculty impacted by reconstitution proposals elsewhere in the district, said staff were surprised to learn they would need to reapply for positions and described the required reapplication as distressing. Board discussion noted that Wright had been added to earlier proposals but that safety concerns make dividing Orchard between two schools preferable.

The board framed the Orchard decision as a first reading as part of the Population Analysis Committee recommendations; feeder-pattern adjustments for junior high (east to Hunter, west to Matheson) were approved as a separate first-reading motion. Board members asked staff to continue studying safe walking routes and busing impacts before moving from first reading to final action.