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OGDEN — Sue Ann Burton has a bit of history at Polk Elementary, located at 2615 Polk Ave. She met her husband to be there while in the second grade. But now, the mother of nine worries the school's 90-year history could soon be over.
"We value our history, and our uniqueness," Burton said. "We have the privilege of still having neighborhood schools where our kids walk to school every day."
In addition to Polk Elementary, a $106 million bond proposal would shut down other smaller neighborhood schools, opting for larger schools that would house four classes per grade level.
"We have a wonderful community, and I don't want to see one of the best things of our community, which is our neighborhood schools, go away," Burton said.
Burton is now part of a recently-formed parents group, called Ogden Education. She, along with other parents, believe the Ogden School District should come back with a different bond proposal, that would instead renovate the older schools, even if it costs more money.
School District spokesman Jer Bates says estimates show such a plan could cost around $5 million more.
"You're still constrained with what you can do in a restoration project," Bates explained. "If you start new, you have complete freedom to change what's inside that space."
Bates said the newer schools would be similar to New Bridge School, located at 2150 Jefferson Ave., which opened last year. The school features collaborative areas for neighboring classes of the same grade level, along with several modern technological upgrades, including a 3-D printing lab.
Some parents are excited for the possibilities if the bond is approved by voters.
"I think the bond is a fabulous idea," Shanda Richey said. "The amount that needs to be done in these schools is huge, and so, at this point, replacement becomes a better option."
Richey has had several children in Ogden schools, including one now at Horace Mann Elementary, which would be replaced through the bond.
"There's electrical issues, walls literally cracking and falling down," Richey said. "There's so many issues. When it rains, there's buckets up and down the kindergarten hall. I feel like Horace Mann is the people inside. I don't feel like it's the building."
Bates points out that plans for the new school buildings are not set in stone. He said there is a chance of saving part of the late 1920s architecture at Polk Elementary in the new structure that would be built on the same lot.
Richey says the focus should be on that, rather than trying to vote down the bond proposal.
"My heart breaks that we would put everything on hold for so many people for an issue that I feel could be compromised and worked on over the next several years," Richey said. "I can feel for them wanting to save that, but I guess this thing to me is so much bigger than just Polk, not to say their concerns are not valid."
In addition to building three new elementary schools, the proposed bond up for vote on Nov. 7 would include a renovation to the Ben Lomond High School gymnasium and new professional gateway centers for the junior high schools.
