Among the hundreds of parents, grandparents and community members who spoke up about possible school closures at Canyons School District’s public hearings, Granite Elementary fifth-grader Molly Fenton took her turn at the microphone.

She told the Canyons Board of Education she met her best friend, Brielle, at school and they spent recesses playing together for two years. Brielle, a special education student, died six months ago.

A student speaks to Canyons School Board about possible school closures. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

“She loved to laugh with people; she was always there with a hug and if someone said ‘hi’ to her, it meant the world to her,” she said. “I promised myself that to remember her, I would try to be a voice for kids like her who don’t have one like I do. So, this is me, keeping that promise.”

Molly said Brielle and her peers teach “kindness and compassion” and are part of rotations with STEM, art and recess

“They are happy in these halls that are their home away from home,” she said. “I have some letters written from kids at this school that I want to give you. Will you please read them like you do all the adult emails?”

Molly was one of dozens of students who spoke at public hearings concerning possible closures of Granite, Bella Vista and/or Park Lane elementaries. 

Canyons school board shared closure and boundary proposals Sept. 2 to address declining enrollment and optimize resources. A final vote is expected in December, though the school board could delay the decision for further study.

What the school board may not have anticipated is how it has become a lesson in civic engagement and advocacy for students.

Community members review the proposed Canyons school closures and boundary changes at a recent public hearing. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

A first grader pleaded with the school board not to close Bella Vista, which is a national Blue Ribbon School.

“I’ll miss my friends and my teachers,” she said.

Eastmont seventh-graders Tilly Mannion and Harper Williams spoke for Park Lane. 

“My little brothers go to Park Lane Elementary right now, and I really love that school,” Tilly said. “We both went there, and it's close to our hearts, so we’d really like to see it stay open.”

Harper also was inspired to advocate for her elementary school after hearing neighbors talk and seeing yard signs.

“I felt I needed to do anything I could to keep this school open,” she said. “We both do debate, so that gave us the confidence to speak in front of all those people.”

Harper told the school board, “Park Lane was such an important part of my life. It’s where I learned to love learning, where my teachers encouraged me, and where I made friends who have been by my side for years. It’s more than just a school — it’s a community.”

A sign welcomes all the school communities to a Canyons public hearing about proposed school closures and boundary changes. (Julie Slama/City Journals) 

She said keeping Park Lane open also would help Eastmont, which struggles with low enrollment.

“Because of that, we don’t have as many class options — like honors program and advanced electives,” she said. “If Park Lane students stayed on the path to Eastmont, it wouldn’t just help Eastmont grow, it would give students more opportunities.”

Tilly agreed and told the board: “The negative impact of fewer students is that there are fewer teachers, making the electives and the arts less accessible to students. For example, if I wanted to take choir, I would be unable to take debate because those classes are only offered once a day since the teachers teach multiple other subjects. As members of the school board you have the opportunity to make decisions that directly impact students like me. You can make decisions that support more balanced enrollment at all the middle schools and give the same access and advantages to all the kids in your district.”

Tilly said it was a learning experience to speak at the hearing.

“It's hard being in the same room and fighting for something that other people are fighting against, because no one's choosing to have their schools have the possibility of closing, so you feel bad for everyone, but you still want to fight for your school. Everyone’s emotions were running high,” she said. “We wanted to point out we loved Park Lane and Eastmont has good programs, and that we’re a nationally recognized AVID school. Everyone loves their school, but one person said, ‘please base the decision off of evidence and data’ and that makes sense.”

Speakers also raised concerns about the timing of closures, boundary changes, transparency, financial responsibility, special education, safety, walkability, class sizes, community identity, school buildings’ condition, students’ well-being and more.