Utah's Education Crossroads: Is Efficiency Worth Losing Community Schools?

Utah is at a turning point in public education. The Granite School District is considering closing Eastwood Elementary. This is not just about one school. It's about what Utah values in its education system. Eastwood Elementary has been a cornerstone of the Millcreek community for over 60 years. Many families have deep ties to this school. Grandparents, parents, and children have all attended Eastwood. It's more than a building; it's a symbol of community and belonging. Eastwood is not struggling. In fact, it's one of the top elementary schools in Utah. It has a Gold STEM designation. Students here perform better than both the district and state averages. Yet, the district sees it as a problem to be fixed. The district talks about efficiency and consolidation. But what does that mean for the community? Eastwood serves families from Emigration Canyon. For them, Eastwood is the only accessible school. Closing it would cut off their access to education. This issue is bigger than Granite School District. Schools across Utah face similar challenges. Declining enrollment and aging buildings are common problems. But the solution shouldn't be to close schools. It should be to find innovative ways to support them. Over 1, 700 residents have signed petitions to save Eastwood. Families, teachers, and alumni have rallied together. They are not just fighting for a building. They are fighting for the heart of their community. The question is: What kind of state do we want to be? Do we value efficiency over community? Or do we believe that great public schools are worth protecting? Saving Eastwood is about more than saving a school. It's about protecting the promise of public education. It's about standing up for what matters in our communities.