Parents pack Granite School Board meeting to save two schools

SOUTH SALT LAKE — A packed and emotionally charged meeting unfolded Tuesday night at the Granite School District board meeting as dozens of parents and students rallied to save two elementary Schools. The district considered shutting down Eastwood Elementary in Millcreek and converting Morningside Elementary in Holladay into a dual-language immersion program. Officials say the move is driven by a steep drop in enrollment. Granite School District Superintendent Ben Horsley explained the challenge. “At Morningside right now, we have a second grade with four kids in it," he said. Horsley also noted Eastwood has nine teachers carrying the workload for a shrinking student body.“Our students come. They stay. The teachers come and stay. There is no reason to shut down a school that is excelling by every single measure," said Jennifer Tomchak, who is fighting to keep Eastwood open. “We love the teachers. We love the community. It’s been a real win for us,” another parent, Mary-Brook Townsend, added. Before public comment, Horsley surprised the board by recommending the study be suspended indefinitely. The board voted Tuesday night to not move forward with closures, however noted that this issue may come up again in the future.

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