The Cache school board let their original decision stand to switch Sunrise, Summit, North Park and Greenville elementary schools to K-5. Two weeks ago the school board listened to a room full of citizens express their opinion over the change. Many were for it. More were against it. Thursday evening the board discussed delaying the change however it never came to a vote.

Board member Richard Knight said he voted in favor of the K-5 configuration. However, he said he was willing to let the current configuration stay for a couple years longer until the new Hyde Park school was built. He said it would give teachers and parents time to adjust. Knight added that he was definitely in favor of K-5 long term.

Knight motioned to consider keeping the current configuration for two more years. No one seconded the motion.

Then board president Jonathan Jenkins said he was in favor of the K-5 change. “It seems important that we make the change in Smithfield because we have a new school coming online,” said Jenkins. “It’s impractical to have three different types of schools in the same city.”

The idea was floated that the Hyde Park schools could be kept the same until the new school was constructed there.

“To put it off, even a year, will not save money because of the busses,” said board member Tamara Grange. “It would be unfair to Smithfield to only change Smithfield. If we are going to make the change, let’s make it and get on with it. Change is going to be part of life in Cache Valley as it continues to grow.”

“In fairness to Smithfield, let’s get on with it,” repeated Grange. “My big concern is that it will be a double cost if we put it off.”

Jenkins asked if there were any further motions over grade configurations. The board sat silent. The original decision to change to K-5 will stand.