Board approves Orchard Elementary closure, keeps Orchard feeding Matheson

President Nicole McDermott presided as the Granite School District Board of Education on Dec. 10 approved the closure of Orchard Elementary and multiple boundary changes. The board also amended the closure motion to retain the December 2023 feeder decision so the Orchard attendance area will continue to feed Matheson Junior High.

Julie Jackson moved to approve the closure and boundary adjustments to Copper Hills and Whittier Elementary as part of a second and final reading; Connie Burgess seconded. The board then voted to amend the motion to keep the Orchard boundary feeding Matheson Junior High, a change that was described as restoring a previously approved 2023 decision. Both motions were approved as second and final readings and recorded as passed by the board.

Several members of the Orchard community spoke during a public hearing before the vote, raising safety and access concerns. Lindsay Mosely said the nearby crosswalk “does not have flashing lights that are visible enough to be safe” and urged the district to add a crossing guard. Amanda Young, speaking for Orchard parents, said, “The Orchard community is close, and they care about their school,” and warned that longer travel distances could push families to charter schools. Ben Anderson said his neighborhood would fall outside the busing area under a proposed change to Monroe and asked that Armstrong be considered as an alternative boundary to provide a safer route.

Board members who discussed the item noted the depth of community engagement during the study period. The board’s meeting materials and audio recording are posted at the district’s public meeting sites for further detail on the motions and maps.