- The Provo School District is considering closing four schools due to budget constraints.
- Parents, however, are concerned with how the process is playing out.
- The district is holding a series of community meetings about the possible closures and the budget discussion generally.
PROVO — The Provo School District is looking at possibly closing several schools as leaders try to trim several million dollars from the budget.
The four schools under consideration are Amelia Earhart Elementary, Canyon Crest Elementary, Franklin Elementary, and Spring Creek Elementary.
District spokesperson Caleb Price said Provo schools have experienced dropping enrollment, leading to budget constraints. While the district has historically had just over 13,000 students, he said enrollment has fallen to 12,700 and is projected to drop even further.
That equates to between $2 million and $4 million in necessary cuts, Price said.
"We really want people to understand no decisions have been made," he told KSL. "We really are trying to have that conversation in more detail now."
But some parents are concerned with how this process is playing out. Brenna Borup went to Canyon Crest Elementary on Provo's northeast bench, and now her children go there, too. She loves what the school offers but worries it might not be around very long.
"It just doesn't feel like things are being very transparent at this point," Borup said.
Ashmae Hoiland, the PTA president at Canyon Crest, agreed. She said the district should look to cut spending in other areas.
"I understand that there is some dip in growth, but I think it's a pretty knee-jerk reaction to shut down schools," she said.
Borup is also concerned the school district may be tempted to sell the prime property where Canyon Crest sits.
"This isn't just a piece of land," she said. "This is a safe place. It has been for many, many years. This is where my kids come to grow and to learn."
But Price, the district spokesperson, said a land sale isn't a factor.
"There has not been any discussion of selling that property. There's been no discussions with developers, no discussions with third parties," Price said. "As far as I'm aware, there's not even a discussion amongst board members about selling the Canyon Crest property."
The Provo School District is holding a series of community meetings about the possible school closures and the budget discussion generally. The next one will take place Thursday at Franklin Elementary at 6 p.m. Another meeting is scheduled for May 4 at Provo Peaks Elementary, with the final meeting at Amelia Earhart Elementary on May 14.
For more information about the budget discussion, visit the Provo School District's website.
