Some Jordan Hills Elementary parents don't like the idea of busing their kids to different schools to handle overcrowding.
They want a more permanent solution, fearing children who are repeatedly moved from school to school would be hurt educationally.About two dozen parents vented frustrations at a Thursday community meeting, according to mother Cindy Blackman. They asked for time beyond the Dec. 14 target date to find a solution and seek more representation on the school community group. The group meets Tuesday.
"We're not arguing that something has to happen," said parent Gina Meredith, just elected to the school community group. "We just want to be part of the decision and want it to be a very well thought out, long-term decision."
Jordan officials have recommended crowding somehow be alleviated for next school year at Jordan Hills in West Jordan and Oak Hollow Elementary in Draper. Booming growth in the southwest part of the district will need to be addressed in coming years, perhaps in additional schools and boundary changes, district officials have said.
Stark has proposed drawing an area between the Old Bingham Highway and 9000 South. Everyone south and north of that area -- 230 students -- would go somewhere else. Those west of 4800 West would be bused to Oquirrh Elementary; those east of there would go to Terra Linda Elementary. Other possibilities include portables and double sessions.
No decisions have been made, and the community must help come up with the solution, Stark says.
Parents have presented other potential solutions, such as moving sixth-graders to the middle schools if they could handle the extra kids, or looking to draw boundaries based on what works for everyone in the community, some that may not even require busing.
"We want to get people from all different schools to look at it, along with the city, as a long-term growth (issue)," parent Karen Robbins said. "I think they realize there's more at stake than just, 'let's move people around.' "