Canyons seeks $250 million for buildings

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Air-conditioned classrooms, earthquake resistant schools and a new Draper high school could come to Canyons School District if taxpayers approve.

On June 22, voters in Draper, Sandy, Midvale, Cottonwood Heights and Alta will be asked whether they are willing to chip in $250 million to replace or repair a dozen aging school houses and build a new, $50 million high school in Draper.

This week, the Canyons Board of Education adopted a list of construction projects that could be completed with the bond. The district, which broke away from Jordan School District nearly a year ago, has $650 million worth of needed building repairs or replacements, according to an architectural survey by MHTN Architects.

"These needs have gone unmet for nearly 50 years in some instances," Tracy Cowdell, president of the board, said in an interview. "This $250 million bond is a good start toward modernizing our facilities so teachers can teach in the 21st century."

Cowdell expects "overwhelming" approval of the bond once voters understand the need for facilities and the impact on their pocket books. Approving the bond would not result in a tax hike. Instead, property owners would forego an expected tax decrease over the next 20 years.

The funds would mean Crescent View, Albion and Indian Hills middle schools would get air conditioning and other updates. Butler, Midvale and Mount Jordan middle schools would get brand new buildings.

Mount Jordan, a 56-year-old school house at 9360 S. 300 East in Sandy, could become a district model for sharing space and expenses with other public entities. Cowdell has suggested the district look at teaming up with the University of Utah or another college to host a satellite campus at the middle school, which sits next to additional district property. The schools could share lab and classroom space. College students studying education could get hands-on experience or conduct research at Mount Jordan.

Cowdell also thinks Mount Jordan, which sits near a TRAX stop, would be a prime spot for a community theater. Already, the school rents its auditorium during the Christmas season to Mountain West Ballet for "The Nutcracker." Pooling resources with Sandy and, perhaps, Salt Lake County could result in a state-of-the-art middle school auditorium that could be used for community performances.

"These types of venues are very much needed in the south valley," said Sandy spokeswoman Trina Duerksen. "The city is willing to work with the county and the school district to see what works."

The idea still is in the "embryo stages," Cowdell noted. Formal discussions have yet to take place.

"The public is interested [in projects] where public entities can share resources, share property and share cost," he said. "It saves taxpayers money, and it's an innovative and creative approach."

With a $250 million bond in hand, Canyons also could move ahead with its plans to reconfigure high schools to include ninth grade and middle schools to include sixth grade. The Draper high school would accommodate the larger population of high school students. Bond money also would upgrade computer and science labs at Brighton and Hillcrest high schools. Brighton hopes to get a new athletic facility, too.

Ruby Vernon, a Sandy resident who has two daughters at Brighton High, said she "loves" the plan to re-tool grades.

"Most ninth graders get bored [of middle school] by the time they are in ninth grade," said Vernon, chairwoman of the Brighton High Community Council. "By moving them into high school, we help them recognize, 'hey, this counts. I can't just sit here.'"

She plans to vote for the bond.

"We really need it on the east side. We've kind of been neglected for a long time," Vernon said. "Our kids are going into these buildings that are unsafe and need repairs."