Why?
We love our community schools and we love our children. We want to provide every student with the best education while helping our community schools become the best they can be. Not only does this strengthen our schools, but it makes our entire community stronger.
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Our community schools, like many others, are facing some real challenges. These challenges include, but are not limited to, declining enrollment, funding challenges, equity and achievement gaps, school safety, technology approaches, and more. We feel that a smaller district would allow the schools and district to adapt to local desires and needs. Also, having a smaller district would allow us to focus our taxes and potential bond money on projects and goals that the community is excited about and will get behind.
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Granite School District currently serves over 58,000 students across 394,000 residents, with only seven board members representing a vast and diverse area. This size makes it difficult to tailor decisions to specific community needs, and many residents feel they have little voice or influence.
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By creating a new school district serving 15,000 students and 118,000 residents, we can ensure seven board members are fully focused on our three cities. This means more direct representation, stronger local leadership, and a school district that works every day toward the best outcomes for our students and community.
What would the new school district look like?
A new school district can be created by any municipality, regardless of size. Neighboring municipalities who share school boundaries can enter into an interlocal agreement and create a new school district. We propose that Millcreek City, Holladay City and South Salt Lake join together and create a new school district. This would include Skyline High School, Cottonwood High School and Olympus High School, and all elementary and junior high schools who feed into those high schools.
What are the benefits of a new school district?
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Increased Efficiency – Large school districts experience administrative inefficiencies due to excessive bureaucracy, slowing decision-making and responsiveness to student needs. Smaller districts streamline management and improve efficiency.
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Better Funding Equity – Research shows that smaller school districts are often better funded, reducing disparities between affluent and lower-income schools and leading to improved educational outcomes.
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Stronger Community Engagement – In smaller districts, parents and community members have more direct access to school leaders, fostering higher levels of involvement and support for schools.
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Higher Student Achievement – Multiple studies indicate that large districts correlate with lower student achievement, especially in high-poverty areas, while smaller districts mitigate these negative effects.
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Smaller, More Supportive Schools – Large districts lead to larger schools, which are linked to lower graduation rates and reduced student safety, while smaller schools foster better learning environments and stronger student-teacher relationships.
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Tailored Educational Approaches – Smaller districts allow for more localized decision-making, enabling schools to better adapt to the unique needs of their students and communities.
How is a new school district created?
The process begins when the City Council or interlocal participants vote to initiate the creation of a new school district and notify the county. A feasibility study is then conducted and presented at a public meeting. Within 30 days of this presentation, two additional meetings must be held. After this period, if the majority of the City Council or all interlocal participants approve, the proposal is placed on the ballot.
What can you do?
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Our city leaders have made it clear: they will not move forward with the creation of a new school district until they hear from citizens across all parts of our community. That means your voice—and the voices of your neighbors—are essential. Now is the time to speak up. Reach out to your mayor and city council members. Let them know that families from every background and neighborhood support local representation in our schools.
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You can also make a big impact by simply talking to your friends, neighbors, and fellow parents. Share how a new school district can improve not only the quality of education for our children, but strengthen our community as a whole. With your help, we can create a school system that truly reflects the needs and values of the people it serves. Together, we can build a brighter future—starting now.