By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
In the fall of 2019, Juab School District will open a newly remodeled West Campus that sits adjacent to Juab Junior High School. On June 20, 2018, the board met in special public session at district offices. School board members passed a Resolution of the Board of Education of the Juab School District, authorizing and approving the execution and delivery of a Master Lease Agreement by and between the district and the Local Building Authority of Juab School District. “This resolution authorizes the issuance and sale of lease revenue bonds series 2018 in the aggregate principal amount of not more than $3,200,000,” said Jonathan Ward, Zion’s Bank Vice President, Municipal Consulting Group. The board then moved to leave board meeting and reconvene as a local building authority and authorize the issuance and sale by the authority of its Lease Revenue bonds. “The local building authority will be the owner of the building until it is paid for,” said Ward. “At the end of the bond repayment, the building will revert back to the ownership of the district.” The building authority is a nonprofit organization that allows the school district to bond for a project without going through a bond election or increasing property taxes. The school board members serve as the trustees for the building authority. More than ten Utah school districts have created building authorities. “We will collateralize (to make a loan secure with collateral) the building, and the district will lease the building until such time as the bonds are paid and the building will revert back to the district,” he said. The renovated West Campus will be home to JSD 6th grade classrooms on the south end of the building. The north end of the building will house junior high CTE courses, music, as well as other 7th and 8th grade classrooms. “The center of the building will become the JSD Innovations Center,” said Dr. Rick Robins, superintendent. “This flexible learning space will provide awesome opportunities for our students to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math project based learning (STEAM). This space will also be available for students to engage in learning in a more collaborative environment or they will be able utilize quiet spaces for study.” “Westland Construction will begin removing asbestos this week,” said Robins. The need to make this transition is driven by the rapid growth in enrollment that the district is experiencing. In 2014, JSD enrollment was 2,287 students. Today the district enrollment is 2,560 and climbing. “Pam Perlich, a researcher at University of Utah, has projected the population in Juab County to surpass 20,600 by 2037,” said Robins. “The recent growth has made Juab County the third fastest growing county in Utah.” “The greatest pressure on our system is in the elementary schools,” he said. “With all considerations being accounted for future growth, the board has made the decision to make this transition effective fall 2019.” West Campus will allow for growth in each JSD elementary school as a K-5th grade school. “To be fiscally responsible and to make use of a current building, the board has moved in the direction of renovation,” said Robins. “This is the best option for student learning in a middle school environment and provide for maximum student safety.” As part of the Junior High campus, Principal Ken Rowley will serve as principal for the Junior High School and West Campus. An assistant principal and office staff will also be assigned to West Campus. At the present, the goal is for most of the 6th grade teachers in JSD to transition to West Campus as well. Final personnel decisions will be made in the near future. “Juab School District is excited to embrace the challenges of growth and change while we continue to provide a first class education to our students,” said Robins. “This summer the district will be holding open house presentations for parents and patrons to share input.” He said that if anyone had any questions about 6th grade transition and the West Campus they are encouraged to reach out to Principal Rowley at JJHS. (ken.rowley@juabsd.org) “He will be able to address many of the questions as the details of this transition are finalized,” said Robins.
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