The Park City School District resumes the master planning efforts they started last fall. The Board recently presented the Park City Council with an update and they are planning a couple of town hall style meetings.
Park City Board of Education President Andrew Caplan says they’ve identified three big decisions the board is facing. One is whether to pursue universal Pre-K for every child. Research shows it is an important component for future academic success and the community, Caplan says has shown initial support.
The decision to move ninth grade back to the high school leaves the planning and consulting teams considering different solutions.
“So, the question is, okay, what does the high school look like? Do we add a traditional wing and it looks exactly like it’s been? Or, do we explore potentially having a more PCCAPS like school? So, a tech focus, project-based school. You know, do we do that as a nine through twelve building or is that a six through twelve building? And, where is that located? You know the thought right now is that that’s located, you know if we did that on the Kearns campus.”
Determining facilities for grades five through eight, known as the middle years is the third big decision the board will make. Caplan says they don’t want to rush these decisions because it will impact the community for the next 10 to 20 years. He says what they decide to do will depend on community consensus and they’re hoping to finalize plans by the end of this year.
“And then it’s a question of funding and how we’re going to do that and on what timeline. Is it something we’re going to look to a bond election in the fall? Is it something we’re going to phase it over a number of years? And again, that’s something we’re going to work on over the next few months.”
Caplan urges the community to pay attention to the work they’re doing and voice their input. He says future facilities needs and what the educational experience looks like will result in a tax increase.
“And we hope that everyone in the community who cares to have their voice heard, is heard and we’re going to work to make the buildings and our staff reflective of the community’s interest which is to make this continuing to be the best district in the state and one of the best districts in the country.”
That’s Park City School Board President Andrew Caplan. KPCW will provide details on the upcoming master planning information meetings as they come available.
