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MURRAY — Changes could be in store for the Murray City School District in light of a dwindling student population.
Over the last five years, the district has seen an 11.4% decline in student enrollment, leading the district's board of education to launch a plan aimed at taking proactive steps to navigate the changing educational landscape.
The first stage of this plan involves a boundary change that would impact Liberty Elementary and Parkside Elementary — two Title I schools — for the 2024-25 school year. Title I is a federally funded program that provides supplementary funds to schools with high percentages of students from low-income families to help them meet state academic standards.
The smallest of the school districts residing in Salt Lake County, Murray City School District's projected student enrollment for the 2023-24 school year was 5,703.
In 2018, the district was home to 6,624 students and by 2022, that total shrunk to 5,768 — a decrease of 856 students.
Under the board's recommendation, around 68 students who are currently enrolled at Parkside would be moved to Liberty next year. Currently, all impacted students reside near the northern end of the district boundary — north of Fireclay Avenue and west of State Street.
The district says this boundary adjustment would grow Liberty Elementary's enrollment to almost 300 students and reduce Parkside Elementary's to slightly over 400 students. Additionally, the adjustment would necessitate moving more resources, including staffing and funding, to Liberty Elementary to align with per-pupil costs.
"Impacted students are presently bused to Parkside and will continue to receive transportation services to attend Liberty," the district said in a release.
Along with the boundary adjustment, the board recommended a bond measure for next November to replace Riverview Junior High School and make structural changes to Murray High School. Doing so would allow the district to move from a junior high school model to a middle school model — which means moving sixth grades to district middle schools and ninth grades to the high school.
"This recommendation comes after nearly five years of facility and student population studies, reviews and discussions," Jaren Cooper, chairman of Murray Board of Education, said in a statement. "It's not an easy decision but reflects a commitment and responsiveness to optimizing learning conditions for our Murray students."
Cooper added that the latest board recommendations fit into a larger vision for improving district buildings and adjusting more boundaries once the district has moved to a middle school model.
"The fact is, we have some facilities that are aging and need to address them to ensure we are managing our assets and taxpayer investments responsibly," Cooper said.
As it turns out, Murray City School District is far from the only district in the state that is having to adjust boundaries and take other measures in the face of declining student enrollment.
Related:
Where have all the children gone? Utah school enrollment shows recent decline
Here's a look at how enrollment numbers have changed over the past few years and what they say about some of Utah's largest districts.While Utah's population steadily increases, some of the state's largest school districts are losing students. But why?
At least part of the answer may lie in alternative school options — beyond the realm of the districts. Another piece of the puzzle involves declining birth rates and skyrocketing housing prices.
"I appreciate the board's extensive and thoughtful approach that led to these recommendations," said Jennifer Covington, Murray City School District superintendent. "Our commitment is to provide the best possible education for every student in our district. This proposal and their vision for the future reflect that, ensuring our schools are appropriately sized, well-equipped, and capable of meeting the evolving needs of our community. I believe this fosters an environment where students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally."
The district will be holding two separate public informational meetings for community members and educators to learn more about the recommendations and the broader vision for the district and the district says more information regarding these meetings will be made available on its website in the coming weeks.
There will also be opportunities for the public to provide comments on the recommendations at the district's upcoming board meetings on Feb. 18, March 14 and April 11.
The board is set to vote on the first phase of recommendations on April 18.
