BOULDER — From north to south in Utah, school district leaders are struggling to keep schools fully staffed and running in these tough economic times.
While Garfield School Board has decided to keep tiny Boulder Elementary open, parents now fear the school's main educator will be axed.
The board didn't come right out and say they would remove Roy Suggett, who serves as Boulder Elementary's principal, teacher and secretary. However, the board alluded to the idea, said Scott Brodie, who represents the six parents of the elementary students.
"If we lose Roy to keep the school open, it will be a hollow victory," Brodie said. "It takes more than a good teacher to juggle K-6 and do administration."
About 15 parents, educators and other townsfolk made the 2 1/2-hour trip to attend the board meeting in Antimony Thursday night. "This was a good turnout," Brodie said, since Boulder has a population of about 200.
"We are regrouping to see how we can keep Roy here," he said.
Board member Gladys LeFevre, Boulder, told the Deseret News on Friday that the board didn't vote on the school closure but announced the elementary would stay open for the time being.
LeFevre said the district could be moving teachers around since some educators may be retiring or moving out of the district. There could be future changes for district employees, she said.
"There are still quite a few variables," LeFevre said, but declined to comment on details.
Boulder Elementary has just 10 students in grades K-6. But if the school were closed, they would have to be bused to Escalante, which is almost an hour's drive.
Meanwhile, up north, the Box Elder School Board voted Wednesday to close its Bunderson Elementary School in Brigham City. The school houses 410 students.
"Bunderson has outlived its effectiveness," admitted the school's principal, Scott Hunsaker. He said the school building is old and isn't being used to its full capacity.
However, Hunsaker is wondering where he's going to be working this fall. "I have no idea where I'm going to go," he said. "Teachers will follow the children. District officials say they will find a place for staff."
Bunderson students will likely go to either Mountain View or Foothill elementary schools.
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