By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Boundaries for the existing and proposed Nephi
Elementary schools cannot be written in stone because, as
the population in the city changes, so may the population of
the schools.
"If a new school were built in Nephi, the proposed
attendance boundary would most likely be the south side of
300 North," said Kirk Wright, superintendent of Juab School
District.
It would make little sense to build a new school and
then not populate it with half of the students.
Short-term, the boundary of 300 North, would mean that
next year's enrollment at each school would be: Nephi
Elementary School (including Levan students), 529 students;
the present Juab Middle School converted to an elementary,
300 students; and the Mona Elementary, 240 students.
At least one modular unit would be needed at Mona.
Long-term, most students would be within a mile and
half radius of the schools and, therefore, they would not
need to be bused.
"Some students living on the far east and west sides
of this boundary may be eligible for bus services," said
Wright.
Option 6, the one favored by the majority of the
committee, caused some concern about the need to split the
libraries.
However, said Wright, the district would do all
possible to make certain that both schools were treated
fairly and that library needs of both schools were met.
Another concern with option 6 is that special
education and Title I services would be disrupted.
"A distinction between Special Ed and Title I needs to
be made," said Wright. "Special Ed services are based upon
academic needs, while Title I services are based upon
socio-economic conditions."
Special education classes will continue to be provided
for all students who qualify. It is possible that cluster
units for self-contained students would need to be
established.
Resource students could be serviced either in their
regular classroom or on a pull-out basis.
"Currently Title I resources have been concentrated
into selected classrooms," said Wright.
It is possible that these services would be diffused
or fewer grades would be served.
Parking at the current JMS is a problem. There will be
about the same number of students under this option as
currently attend this building. However, the students will
be of a younger age than those currently attending and,
therefore, committee members were more concerned about
safety for the young students.
For that reason, they suggested staggering the start
times of the schools so that young students are not
endangered by high school drivers.
It was also suggested that a fence be installed
between the Junior High building and the current JMS to help
separate the campuses.
Lunch service was another concern for committee
members under this option.
The JMS has a small commons area but no kitchen. If
option 6 is adopted, the district will need to transport
lunch from the Junior High to the new K-6 school at JMS for
the 1st and 2nd grades.
"Grades 3-6 would walk up to the Junior High for their
lunch," said Wright.
The current NES doesn't have adequate playground
equipment. Equipment for the school was not installed
because of the uncertainties about how the building will be
used.
However, equipment will be ordered and installed if
the school board does accept the recommendation of the
committee and adopts option 6.
"Playground equipment does not have the long life it
used to have," said Wright. "Most of it is made of
plastic."
However, depending on the time-table, the equipment
could be moved to one of the elementary schools if it was
still in good condition. Otherwise, new equipment would be
installed as needed.
Committee members favor having students and teachers
stay together through future moves. That way school
friendships would be protected and moves would not be as
difficult for young students.
"The District will make efforts to have staff members
in place and provide as much continuity as possible for
students and staff," said Wright.
The number of moves for students is a major concern
because not all students adapt to changes and new
environments easily. This was one of the advantages of
option 6&emdash;there were fewer moves required.
"There is a gray area," said Suzy Tangren."That gray
area is my neighborhood, my Primary."
She grew up in a community 16 times the size of Nephi.
One thing she liked about Nephi was the close-knit
society.
She and her family live one block from the Nephi
Elementary and she would like the boundaries, once selected,
to stay fairly consistent.
"There is no way to indefinitely set a boundary line,"
said Wright.
"Boundaries should not keep changing," said Mace
Lenhart, committee chairman. "Once selected, the boundaries
should not need to change for 20 years."
Moving 5th and 6th grade students back to the
elementary schools would affect band membership, another
concern. Now students begin participating at those grade
levels in the music program.
One solution would be to have before and after school
options for band students.
The committee determined, all things considered, that
option 6 was the least disruptive to students and the
majority of the committee voted for this option&emdash;14
votes were tallied in favor of this recommendation.
Option 7 received five votes.
Under option 6, committee members had the concern
about attendance at each of the schools.
Those attendance areas need to be established and
changes allowed only in emergency situations.
"I worry about boundaries," said Trisha Rindlisbacher.
"I know people in other districts who change from one school
to another because they are picking and choosing their
teacher."
The state does allow open enrollment, said Wright.
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