Nebo School District's somewhat-crowded elementary school classrooms won't be getting more crowded because of school closures. Instead, officials have decided to keep Nebo's two oldest schools open.
Last year, Taylor Elementary in Payson and Spanish Fork's Rees Elementary were rumored to be closing after district officials commissioned engineering studies on possible safety hazards - largely because of concerns about the ability of the two 7-decades-old schools to withstand an earthquake and weather-created roof damage.In particular, the district commissioned the survey after problems at Rees, which had four classrooms closed for a day last January while crews cleared snow off the sagging roof.
Once word spread about the engineering studies, parents in both Spanish Fork and Payson said they feared the district would close the schools, moving students into other crowded elementary schools in the area. But district officials dismissed much of the clamor as rumors and said the studies would point out methods to remedy the situation - and make sure that the district's elementary students aren't going to school under unsafe conditions.
Both schools opened this fall with full classloads, and light local snowfall hasn't presented too many problems for school officials this year. In the meantime, though, Nebo officials may now be ready to take some action.
Phil Argyle, Nebo's operations director, said the Nebo School Board is now considering construction work on Rees this summer, while more expensive renovations may be in store for Taylor Elementary by the following year.
"We wouldn't have opened classes in those two schools if they weren't safe," Argyle said. "But we still are going to need some work done to make sure they won't be a danger later on."
Construction on Rees will likely be funded from remaining funds available from last year's $16 million Nebo construction bond, which also included construction of a new Payson middle school. Renovation of Taylor could be part of a new construction bond district leaders may undertake this spring.
A 14-member district building needs committee suggested extensively renovating or replacing both schools as part of a $25 million recommendation to school board members. The committee said that work, along with construction of a new Spanish Fork middle school, should be among the district's highest priorities.
Discussion of a possible bond issue will be on the agenda when the board meets Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. in the district offices, 350 S. Main, Spanish Fork.
The district previously closed one of its elementary schools, Peteetneet, in 1988 because of seismic safety concerns. Since then, a historic preservation group has worked to restore the building, turning it into a museum, reception center and an academy of the arts.