End in sight for Taylor
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Wednesday, December 6, 2006 | 
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By Amy K. Stewart
Standard-Examiner staff
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By Amy K. Stewart
Standard-Examiner staff
ref=http://www.standard.net/live/multimedia/aarchive?aud=snet_c8d64d5e586354b55c8bbfaba4e30706>NETCast: Listen to the educators, students, and homeowners reactions to the school closures
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By Amy K. Stewart
Standard-Examiner staff
OGDEN -- When it comes to the looming closures of Ogden School District's Taylor and Dee elementary schools, opinions range from outrage to apathy to excitement, depending on who the person is or where they live.
Educators, parents, students and homeowners all have differing opinions on the school board's decision to close Taylor, 2130 Taylor Ave., this summer, and shut down Dee, 550 22nd St., next summer.
Most Taylor students will attend Dee for the 2007-08 school year. Some Taylor and Dee students will then attend a new school planned to open in fall 2008 on the district campus, 1950 Monroe Blvd.
Taylor teachers are feeling nostalgic about their school but are also excited about the future. Many will teach at Ogden district's new aerospace magnet school, 3270 Washington Blvd., next school year. Some teachers will follow students to Dee.
Teachers at Dee are looking forward to having extra kids in the building for a year -- and even more excited to be in a new school the following year.
However, some neighbors of the two schools are worried about property values and living next to a potential vacant lot -- or worse.
"I don't like (Taylor) closing. What are they going to do with it, put a bunch of ex-cons in there or something?" said homeowner Gerald Hulme, 85, who lives north of Taylor.
District officials haven't decided what to do with the two land parcels and buildings. They could sell, lease or keep the buildings for other uses.
The school board decided about a year ago to close Taylor and Dee for cost-effectiveness. Discussions since then have focused on which school to close first. The board voted unanimously last Wednesday to close Taylor first, as the district would save more money than closing Dee first.
"Of course there are feelings of hurt and disappointment. However, we choose to celebrate the many great things that have, and are still taking place at Taylor," said Taylor Principal Charlotte Parry in a written statement.
Dee Principal Linda Brown said the school is glad to move forward with planning. "We're excited to welcome in new students."
Parry will be the principal of the district's new aerospace magnet school, opening in fall 2007. Brown says she expects she will follow Dee students to the new school on the district campus in fall 2008.
Students at Taylor say they will miss their old school. Dee fifth-graders offer seasoned advice to kids who will be fresh to their school next fall.
"They're going to love Dee School. There are cool teachers and nice kids here. You have lots of fun here," said Makayla Carlson, 11.
Some people call Dee "the spaceship" school because it is a gray circular concrete structure with no windows. It has open classrooms. Taylor is a traditional square red-brick building.
"Circle is fun," said Dee fifth-grader, Mahala Gillett, 10.
Parent Michelle Quintal, who lives north of Dee, says she's disappointed Dee is closing. Her daughter is 4 years old and will attend Dee for a year, then switch to the new district campus school.
"That is too bad they have to close (Dee)," Quintal said.
Some neighbors say they don't care what happens to the two schools. But Deborah Anderton, 41, who lives north of Taylor, says she is worried about her property values.
"I don't like it at all. I wish they would leave it alone -- as a school," Anderton said. "It should be a school."
Many Taylor educators have a positive outlook on the change.
"It'll be exciting and different. Exciting to be at a new school," said Taylor first-grade teacher Sherilyn Storey. She will be teaching at the aerospace magnet school next fall. "It's sad that (Taylor) will be closing. I'll miss the neighborhood and the students," she said.
Dee teachers say the more the merrier next year. "And we get a brand new school the year after that," said Dee third-grade teacher Mary Heslop.
"I've never taught in a classroom with walls," said Dee teacher Ann Widmer, who instructs Spanish kindergarten.
Both principals will be making big decisions on staffing and other organizational matters as the schools transition.
In general, educators will teach at the school where they are needed, said Brenda Ruffier, Ogden district human resources executive director.
"The resources need to follow the children," Ruffier said. "If there is a large population of children, there has to be a large population of teachers to teach them. There needs to be a staffing ratio."
Further, closing schools doesn't mean class sizes will be bigger, Ruffier said.
According to Oct. 1 enrollment counts, Dee has 461 students while Taylor has 290 students.
Further, some Taylor students might apply for school choice and try to attend a school other than Dee, she said.
"The Taylor population can be worked into Dee," Ruffier said. "Because Dee's physical plant is bigger, and because of the open classrooms, they can use the space differently than Taylor would have."
Brown said Dee's versatile classroom dividers can be moved to accommodate the changes.
"We can enlarge and reduce the sizes of rooms whenever we want to," Brown said.
At least one portable classroom will also be brought in for Dee to use for the year, Ruffier said.
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