Provo board approves restructure of elementary gifted program, 6–1

The Provo City School District Board of Education voted 6–1 on Feb. 24 to approve a proposed restructuring of the district’s elementary Gifted & Talented program (CAS). The approved plan calls for establishing a magnet site at Westridge Elementary starting with a fourth-grade cohort in the 2026–27 school year, with expansion grade by grade and districtwide efforts to increase enrichment at all schools.

District leaders told the board the plan includes clear qualification standards, ongoing data monitoring and transportation: busing would be provided from three to four schools, but not from every school. The motion to approve the restructure was made by Gina Hales and seconded by Lisa Boyce; Board Member Teri McCabe cast the lone Nay. Superintendent Wendy Dau and Director Judy Rose participated in the presentation and discussion. The board also later authorized beginning the notification process for a location change for the CAS program.

Board members raised concerns about equity, messaging and long-term alignment with secondary programming during the study-session discussion; district staff said those issues would be addressed as implementation details and transportation routes are finalized. The board scheduled further budget and program discussion for upcoming meetings.