Last modified: October 21, 2024

Policy No. 1450: School Closures and Boundary Changes

• Download Policy No. 1450: School Closures and Boundary Changes

Definitions: Special Enrollment Program

“Special enrollment program” means a full-day academic program in which a parent opts to enroll the parent’s student and that is offered at a specifically designated school in the district, including gifted or advanced learning programs or dual language immersion programs.

Notice of Possible Closure

At least 90 days before approving the closure of a school or closure of a special enrollment program, the Board shall provide notice that it is considering closure to parents of students enrolled in the school or in the special enrollment program, to parents of students enrolled in other schools in the district which may be affected by the closure, and to the governing council and mayor of the municipality where the school is located. The Board must initiate the notice process for each school or special enrollment program under consideration for closure through a separate motion made and approved at a public meeting of the Board. The notices to parents shall be provided using the same form of communication that the Board regularly uses to communicate with parents and shall also be given by mail through the United States Postal Service at the last known address for the parents.

Notice of Possible Boundary Change

At least 30 days before approving a change to school attendance area boundaries or to the location of a special enrollment program, the Board shall provide notice that it is considering a boundary change or program location change to parents of students enrolled in the school or program, to parents of students enrolled in other schools in the District which may be affected by the boundary or location change, and to the governing council and mayor of the municipality where the school is located. The Board must initiate the notice process for each school or special enrollment program through a separate motion made and approved at a public meeting of the Board. The notices to parents shall be provided using the same form of communication that the Board regularly uses to communicate with parents and shall also be given by mail through the United States Postal Service at the last known address for the parents.

Public Comment and Hearing on Closure

Before taking action to close a school or special enrollment program, the Board shall hold at least two Board meetings which include an opportunity for public comment on the proposed closure. One of these meetings shall be designated as a public hearing. If feasible, the public hearing shall be held at the location of the school that is under consideration for closure.

Hearing on Boundary Change

Before taking action to change a school attendance area boundary or the location of a special enrollment program, the Board shall hold a public hearing to receive comment on the proposed boundary change or program location change.

Notice of Hearing on Closure

In addition to meeting the other requirements for notice of a public meeting as set out in Policy 1410, and in addition to the 90-day notice of possible closure described above, the Board shall give notice of the public hearing on a proposed school closure or special enrollment program closure. The notice shall state the name of the school or schools or the special enrollment program under consideration for closure and state the date, time, and location of the public hearing. This notice shall be provided at least 30 days before the date of the hearing to the parents and public officials who were required to receive the 90-day notice of possible closure described above, and in the same manner. In addition, for at least 10 days before the day of the hearing, this notice shall also be posted on the Utah Public Notice Website, posted on the district’s website, posted at the district offices, and posted prominently at the school or schools affected.

Notice of Hearing on Boundary Change

In addition to meeting the other requirements for notice of a public meeting as set out in Policy 1410, and in addition to the 30-day notice of possible boundary or location change described above, the Board shall give notice of the public hearing on a proposed boundary change or special enrollment program location change. The notice shall state the name of the school or schools under consideration for boundary change or the special enrollment program under consideration for location change and shall state the date, time, and location of the public hearing. This notice shall be provided at least 30 days before the date of the hearing to the parents and public officials who were required to receive the 30-day notice of possible boundary or location change described above, and in the same manner. In addition, for at least 10 days before the hearing, this notice shall also be posted on the Utah Public Notice Website, posted on the district’s website, posted at the District offices, and posted prominently at the school or schools affected.

Deadline for Completion of Closure

The process for approving closure of a school must be completed on or before December 31 of the calendar year preceding the beginning of the school year in which the school closure takes effect.

Deadline for Completion of Boundary Change

The process for approving a change to a school boundary must be completed no more than 60 days after the day on which the Board votes to approve the change.

Legal References

• Utah Code § 53G-4-402(24)(a) (2024)
• Utah Code § 53G-4-402(24)(b)(i), (ii), (d) (2024)
• Utah Code § 53G-4-402(24)(b)(iii), (v), (c)(ii) (2024)
• Utah Code § 10-9a-103(54) (2024)
• Utah Code § 53G-4-402(24)(b)(iv), (v) (2024)
• Utah Code § 53G-4-402(24)(b)(v), (c) (2024)
• Utah Code § 63G-30-102(1) (2023)
• Utah Code § 53G-4-402(24)(f)(i) (2024)

Board Approved

• October 8, 2024