OCR Text |
Show Stoker Future: Decision Tuesday say the same for district officials. "THE SCHOOL district was surprised at the number num-ber of young kids (in the Stoker area). The thing that gripes me the most is that they did no homework before (pursuing) the closure. They had no idea there was this potential (for students). "They're still going ahead with plans and I don't know why. Logic just cries in the face of it," he said. i : 1 ' By TOM BUSSELBERG BOUNTIFUL Stoker's closure would not only be a detriment for the increasing numbers of area children that will be attending school but also would probably contribute to a decline in the neighborhood. neighbor-hood. THOSE FEELINGS were expressed by two opponents oppo-nents to the school's possible permanent closure. A decision on the central Bountiful elementary school's closure is set for the next regular board of education meeting Tuesday . The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and will be held at the district administration building in Farmington. Richard Hill and Lane Beattie, both residents with children attending Stoker, gave their reasons supporting sup-porting keeping the historic school open in a Monday morning interview. "OUR MESSAGE is unchanging," Mr. Hill said. "It will be a terrible mistake if they take the school out of the center of Bountiful. They say the area is declining in population and they can no longer afford to keep it open." But he cited numerous examples of homes being bought by families with young children and Mr. Beattie, a real estate agent, said he and many realtors recognize the area as attractive to families. "IT SEEMS PEOPLE are not, as the city would have you believe, leaving to go to the farm but are staying in the city. Bountiful has always maintained a high residential standard," Mr. Beattie said, noting that is one attraction added to a desire to stay close to services, especially with high gasoline costs. "It's so obvious they (city government) want the school, their opinions aren't really clear. It's also surprising we haven't had more city fathers stand up and be counted," he continued. "I'm surprised they'd allow someone from out of the city (Redevelopment (Rede-velopment Director Kitt Bettilyon) share his opinions opin-ions with the whole area." HE SAID ONE section of 96 homes had 51 owned by widows or widowers and noted they had been built for large families. But expanding the need to keep Stoker open he added, "We're concerned about ab-out the affect of the closure not just on the children. There are (traditionally) crime rate increases, additional addi-tional police have to be hired and steps have to be taken to improve property. "They say it can't become like central Salt Lake City don't believe it can't." ALTHOUGH BOTH indicated they realized the financial hard times facing the district, Mr. Hill said "the amount of money to complete Stoker is just a drop in the bucket" compared to funds needed for a new school. About $800,000 has been cited as needed to cover improvements to Stoker if the school stays open, while Mr. Hill noted the $2.2 million projected for the new Clinton Elementary project. "Once the school's gone they've lost their ability to be flexible." ITS CLOSURE MAY mean current students will attend several schools during their elementary career, he noted, citing his own case where two younger children sare slated to attend Hannah Hol-brook Hol-brook next year. "It (Holbrook) can't take any more kids after next year. It's one of the fastest growing areas." Both said they were "impressed" by the "concern the board has shown towards what we've had to say in looking in depth" at the issue but Mr. Hill couldn't |