The Granite School District Board of Education meets August 4 at 5 p.m. for its last regular public session before the first day of school, giving Millcreek-area families one more chance to address the board with unresolved questions about special education staffing and a $21 million tax increase still on the table.

Classes begin August 12 for elementary through high school students districtwide. Kindergartners start the following August 17. At Skyline High School, freshmen orientation begins at 7:30 a.m. on August 12, with 10th through 12th graders arriving at 9:30 a.m.

Special ed cuts at three Millcreek schools

Three Millcreek elementary schools lost half a resource-teacher position each for the 2026-27 year, according to the district's special education FAQ. Morningside Elementary dropped from 1.0 to 0.5 FTE, serving 16 special education students. Moss Elementary went from 2.0 to 1.5 FTE, with 40 students on its caseload. Penn Elementary fell from 1.5 to 1.0 FTE, serving 22 students.

Districtwide, elementary paraeducator support hours were slashed 35.6%, from 8,263 hours per week last year to 5,322 in the final 2026-27 allocation.

The district says high-needs students requiring intensive supports have increased 78% since 2023-24, while revenue growth has stalled due to the state's special education funding cap, declining enrollment, and reduced Medicaid reimbursements. The FAQ states that required IEP services cannot be reduced because of staffing or budget constraints, and that schools must document gaps and request additional support rather than absorbing shortfalls.

Moss Elementary also has a new principal this year. Sabrina Felsted, previously a principal in Salt Lake City School District, replaced Julie Wilson, who retired. Felsted started July 15.

The district's compliance managers review student counts and service data every four to six weeks after school begins, meaning staffing adjustments could come in September or October.

$21 million tax vote two weeks away

Two weeks after the August 4 meeting, the board holds its Truth in Taxation hearing on Tuesday, August 18 at 6 p.m. at the Granite Education Center, 2500 South State Street, South Salt Lake. The proposed increase totals approximately $21.7 million, about 11.2% above the certified tax rate, split between a $15.6 million board local levy for operations and a $5.5 million capital levy for building projects.

Business Administrator Todd Hauber told the board at its June 16 budget hearing that without the increase, "We will be 21 million dollars short of balancing the budget and we would have to go to budget reductions, immediately."

The board voted unanimously on June 16 to authorize the August 18 hearing. Member Kim Chandler cast the lone dissent on the interim budget and preliminary tax rate that same night, citing concerns about Social-Emotional Learning program spending and unresolved Chromebook costs. Board President Nicole McDermott, Vice President Kris Nguyen, and members Connie Burgess, Clarke Nelson, Karyn Winder, and Julie Jackson voted yes on the budget.

The increase is largely a re-attempt of a 2025-26 proposal that the Utah State Tax Commission denied on a procedural technicality: the district had printed its Truth in Taxation hearing agenda and regular board meeting agenda on a single sheet of paper instead of two, violating state law. A court upheld the denial.

As we reported July 22, planned spending from the increase includes $4.5 million for instructional coaches, $4.5 million for school rebuilds, $4 million for K-2 class size reduction, $1.6 million for school safety guardians, and $1.4 million for elementary teacher prep time.

How to participate

The August 4 meeting agenda, posted July 30 on the district's BoardBook page, lists only "Welcome and Introductions" so far. The full agenda may be updated before Tuesday. Granite board meetings include a Patron Participation period for public comment.

The Truth in Taxation hearing on August 18 is the next opportunity for residents to speak directly to the board about the tax increase before a final vote.