Superintendent's Message:

Dear Visitor,

     In June, Grand County voters passed a special bond election that will pay for construction of two new buildings: 1) an elementary school for Kindergarten through sixth grade students, and 2) a vocational center for High School students. Facility upgrades are desperately needed, and we thank you for putting our children first.

     You can find out more about the master planning process by browsing this site. As you will see, the Grand County School Board, administration, and staff are working devotedly to match district facility needs with the best possible solutions.

     MHTN, an architecture and engineering firm from Salt Lake City, is now engaged with Grand County School District in the collaborative process of designing new facilities. Having designed dozens of elementary, middle, high, and vocational schools, MHTN has extensive experience in cutting-edge K-12 building design.

     The conditions of our schools reflect the attitudes and values of our community. Our High School brings great pride to us all. Soon voters will be able to say the same of our elementary school and our vocational center, which will include: safer learning environments, modern instructional technology, energy efficiency, community facilities, and a capability to expand as necessary.

     Thank you for your interest in Grand County public schools and their conditions! Feel free to contact me at 259–5317 with any questions, comments, or ideas.

                           Best wishes,

                                Superintendent Margaret Hopkin – December 2, 2008

 

News

December 2, 2008                                                                                           [Back to Top]

Grand County School District News Release

Grand County School District has been working with MHTN to design an Elementary School facility that will meet Grand County's needs. Designing a school is a complicated process of maximizing each bonded dollar with the right mix of classrooms, playgrounds, multipurpose rooms, special use spaces, media centers, kitchens, bathrooms, parking, and administrative centers. To learn more about this process and get a glimpse at some of the conceptual drawings of Grand County's future Elementary School and Vocational Center, click on the link below.

Click here to jump to Step 5 on "The Plan" page...

 

October 30, 2008                                                                                              [Back to Top]

Grand County School District News Release

Grand County School District has been working with MHTN to design an Elementary School facility that will meet Grand County's needs. Designing a school is a complicated process of maximizing each bonded dollar with the right mix of classrooms, playgrounds, multipurpose rooms, special use spaces, media centers, kitchens, bathrooms, parking, and administrative centers. To learn more about this process and get a glimpse at some of the conceptual drawings of Grand County's future Elementary School and Vocational Center, click on the link below.

Click here to jump to Step 5 on "The Plan" page...

 

August 14, 2008                                                                                              [Back to Top]

[Times Independent Article]

"With the passage of the $31 million school bond in June, Grand County School District officials are moving quickly into the design phase, and they’re seeking help..."

Click here to open a PDF of the Times Independent article (76 KB) in a separate window.

 

July 29, 2008                                                                                                   [Back to Top]

[Grand County School District Announcement]

This is the timetable for meetings that will begin discussion about facility design. Community members are invited to any of the scheduled sessions.

"The purpose of meeting in focus groups is to provide facility architects with ideas for construction of our new buildings. Keep in mind that our job is to provide input. The resulting design will reflect this input based on feasibility and cost."

Click here to open the PDF of the announcement and timetable.

 

June 26, 2008                                                                                                   [Back to Top]

[Times Independent Article]

"By a wide margin, voters on Tuesday approved a $31 million school bond that will enable the Grand County School District to replace two crumbling schools and..."

Click here to open a PDF of the Times Independent article (64 KB) in a separate window.

 

May 21, 2008                                                                                               [Back to Top]

Grand County School District Mailer...

Click to view PDF (2MB).

CORRECTION: One sentence in this brochure misstates how the property tax is applied to a county resident’s home value. The sentence stated that the property tax increase would be $113 per $100,000 of a home’s “taxable” value. But it should have said the tax increase is $113 per $100,000 of a home’s assessed or market value.

 

May 15, 2008                                                                                                   [Back to Top]

[Times Independent Article]

"At the most recent Grand County School District public forum on the upcoming bond issue, a facilities tour of the Grand County Middle School highlighted the complications administrators face with..."

Click here to open a PDF of the Times Independent article (60 KB) in a separate window.

 

April 30, 2008                                                                                                  [Back to Top]

[From Grand County School District's Public Forum 4]

“In 2006, a Vocational Skills & Training Needs Survey was completed by students, parents, staff and business/community members. The survey suggested additions…”

Click here to open the PDF brochure (840 K) in a separate window.

OR

Click here to view a PDF (1.2 MB) of the slides used during the presentation.

 

April 28, 2008                                                                                                   [Back to Top]

[Times Independent Article]

"On Wednesday, April 30, the Grand County School District will hold the fourth in a series of monthly forums addressing..."

Click here to open a PDF of the Times Independent article (60 KB) in a separate window.

 

[Times Independent Article]

Since the failure of last year’s attempt to raise revenues through a voted leeway election, the Grand County School District has been cutting costs and raising fees, but school officials say...

Click here to open a PDF of the Times Independent article (104 KB) in a separate window.

 

April 4, 2008                                                                                                     [Back to Top]

Shall the Board of Education of Grand County School District, Grand County, Utah, be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the amount not to exceed...

To access In The News, to view this ballot, click here...

 

March 26, 2008                                                                                               [Back to Top]

[From Grand County School District's Public Forum 3]

A bond is a loan issued by a government entity and paid back by taxes...

Click here to open a PDF brochure (1.4 MB) in a separate window.

OR

Click here to go to "The Plan" page and view more details and explanations on bonding.

 

March 20 , 2008                                                                                          [Back to Top]

[Times Independent Article]

The Grand County School District is holding monthly forums through April to share concepts and hear concerns regarding the district's master plan, which is predicated on passing a $31 million bond election June 24...

Click here to open a PDF of the Times Independent article (168 KB) in a separate window.

 

February 27, 2008                                                                                         [Back to Top]

[From Grand County School District's Public Forum 2]

The students of Grand County School District need quality learning environments that provide adequately for their safety and health and that meet building codes, health codes, and energy codes. The educational facilities also need to provide an excellent learning...

Click here to open a PDF brochure (1.6 MB) in a separate window.

OR

Click here to go to "The Plan" page and view the conceptual drawings and explanations.

 

February 11, 2008                                                                                         [Back to Top]

[Times Independent Editorial]

As most of us know by now, the District Facility Assessment has clearly pointed out the deterioration of our older schools...

Click here for more...

 

January 31, 2008                                                                                          [Back to Top]

[Times Independent Article]

Bruce Barnes, a principal architect from MHTN Architects, was simply reviewing the Grand County School District's Facilities Assessment at a Januuary 23 public forum, but his matter-of-fact presentation seemed to have a far greater impact on...

Click here to open a PDF of the Times Independent article (160 KB) in a separate window.

 

January 23, 2008                                                                                         [Back to Top]

[From Grand County School District's Public Forum 1]

Most of our District buildings are old. Red Rock Elementary, Helen M. Knight Intermediate, and the District Office were built in the 1950s. The Middle School...

Click here to open a PDF brochure (1.6 MB) in a separate window.

OR

Click here to go to "The Plan" and view the summary of challenges that face GCSD.

 

December 27, 2007                                                                                       [Back to Top]

[Times Independent Article]

As Grand County School District officials plan for the district's future, addressing the deficiencies outlined in the facilities assessment released earlier this year, it's clear they can't fix all the problems. Three schools are recommended for replacement, but the district...

Click here to open a PDF of the Times Independent article (152 KB) in a separate window.

 

December 23, 2007                                                                                       [Back to Top]

[Public Service Announcement]

Hear MHTN Architects summarize the facility assessments of our school district’s aging buildings and innovative concepts for...

Click here for more...

 

December 20, 2007                                                                                       [Back to Top]

[Times Independent Article]

Helen M. Knight Intermediate School Principal Robert Farnsworth would prefer to focus his attention on education. From the mandates created by state and federal governments, to the opportunities...

Click here to open a PDF of the Times Independent article (1.4 MB) in a separate window.

 

December 13, 2007                                                                                       [Back to Top]

[Times Independent Article]

Six months after receiving the facilities assessment whic recommended replacting pretty much everything in Grand County School District except the high school, the Grand County Board of Education is considering a plan...

Click here to open a PDF of the Times Independent article (140 KB) in a separate window.

[Times Independent Article]

Red Rock Elementary School seems so idyllic on the surface. Nestled in green, across from the Mill Creek Parkway, facing the Moab Rim, and surrounded by a family-filled neighborhood, the school would seen an elementary archetype. However, on a recent tour of the facilities...

Click here to open a PDF of the Times Independent article (1.8 MB) in a separate window.

 

December 10, 2007                                                                                       [Back to Top]

[Times Independent Editorial]

Red Rock and HMK are over fifty years old, and have been remodeled multiple times in the past. Former remodels were done with small budgets and only immediate needs...

Click here for more...

 

November 7, 2007                                                                                         [Back to Top]

[Times Independent Editorial]

As usual, first trimester has rolled to a busy end.  Students, parents and staff have been immersed in school start up, getting back into the academic swing of things and juggling the many fall extracurricular activities – all the while wondering...

Click here for more...

 

August 9, 2007                                                                                               [Back to Top]

[Times Independent Article]

At the same time Grand County School District officials are preoccupied with the business of running a school district with rising costs but stagnant funds, they are trying to face up to the challenges spelled out in the recently released Grand County School District Facilities Assessment...     

Click here to open a PDF of the Times Independent article (160 KB) in a separate window.

 

August 7, 2007                                                                                               [Back to Top]

[Times Independent Editorial]

In light of the failed voted leeway, one critical question arises.  How do we best make ends meet for Grand County students, staff and community members with increased demands and limited resources? 

Two things are certain.  First, we cannot...    

Click here for more...