School District considering closing La Sal Elementary School

by David Boyle
News Director
The San Juan School Board initiated a study to consider the closure of La Sal Elementary School.
The study will include two public meetings in La Sal before a potential vote of closure in mid December.
The decision was made at the board's September 8 meeting.
District superintendent Christine Fitzgerald and Business Administrator Jacob Swanson shared data showing enrollment declines, along with mounting facility needs.
The district worked up rough estimates on facility needs with the building and grounds department among the needs include HVAC replacement, roofing, asphalt repaving, fire panel upgrades, and playground equipment which the district estimates would exceed $500,000.
The school serves students Kindergarten through second grade with students thrid grade and up being bussed to Monticello schools.
Enrollment over the past ten years has ranged from five and fifteen students, with enrollment the past three years including six, five and seven students.
Those numbers do not include pre-school numbers. Staff also noted declining birth rates across the county could mean those enrollment numbers remain low.
Members of the school board approved a study to explore closure of the school. District staff emphasized that doesn’t mean the school is closed but that the board will gather information for a vote in mid-December.
As part of the legal process to close the school, the district has put out a notice to La Sal and Monticello Elementary parents who would be impacted by the change. A school board meeting will be held at La Sal Elementary on October 13. A formal public hearing will be held in La Sal on November 10. A final vote will take place on December 15.
During public comment, La Sal resident TC Garcia advocated to keep the facility open and to expand services.
Garcia noted the importance of education in strengthening communities, sharing that La Sal has been investing in itself.
He noted investments in emergency services including the volunteer fire department and EMS program, as well as studying opportunities for culinary water systems, and growth in business, agriculture and energy development in the northern part of the county.
“We're actively working to create a community where people can live, work, and raise families just like everybody else in San Juan County, right? A strong school is essential to that vision.
“La Sal Elementary is more than a building. It's a place where children receive individual attention, where teachers know their students and families personally, and where parents remain closely involved in their children's education.”
Garcia added that bringing a third grade class to the Elementary school would build upon existing strengths.
“When I look at the future of La Sal, I do not see a community that should be planning for less. I see a community that should be planning for more. More families, more opportunities, and more reasons for people to call La Sal home.”
Members of the board voted four to none to initiate the study of school closure at La Sal Elementary School.
Board member Don Mose III said he hopes the La Sal community will be there to support their school.
“An elementary school going away from the community, that's pretty big. I've seen it firsthand with Mexican Hat Elementary School. It made sense to move it, but the Mexican Hat community did suffer quite a bit.”
Board Vice President Colleen Benally emphasized the difficulty of the situation as well,
“I think that the public should know that this is not something we're taking lightly or we're not rushing into making a decision for.”
Board President Marianell Barton shared her thoughts as well
“I think it's good for all of us to be informed about our options. and not to make any assumptions about but at least be moving in a direction at this point.”
Board members emphasized that initiating the study does not represent a final decision.
Under Utah statutory guidelines, a 90-day notification process will include a regular board meeting at La Sal Elementary on October 13, a formal public hearing at La Sal on November 10, and a final vote on December 15.