I am an active supporter of the Friends for Education Coalition that put together the "Cannon recommendation" presented at the Granite School District Board Meeting. The coalition has reached out in every possible way to embrace all schools and neighborhoods in the district. Careful study has been done to show that the present population and future trends support keeping our schools open — everywhere. I was very proud of our school board members who voted to do just that.
Those of you who have expressed your displeasure with the board's vote are short-sighted. In five years, your schools may be on the chopping block, and you too will be pleading to maintain your neighborhoods' viability by keeping the schools open.
The point is, closing schools is a short-term fix that destroys a community. The long-term solution is to fill our neighborhoods with families and our schools with students, so that there are no empty seats. It is also essential to look carefully at spending priorities. Teachers' salaries are not going to be cut.
May I suggest that you who are griping get involved instead of criticizing. Get involved. Give of yourselves. Sacrifice your time and your talents and this district will become unified as never before.
Margie Lamb
Salt Lake City