Emergency Protocol Updates for the 2024/2025 School Year

This school year, Granite School District is updating our Emergency Response Protocols. There are two key changes:

• There is now a new protocol called “Hold.” If there is a situation that requires students and staff to remain in their classrooms or stay out of certain areas, school administration will issue a Hold. Examples would be an altercation in the hallway between students, a student or staff member experiencing a medical incident, or a temporary maintenance issue. These situations are minor disruptions and might not always warrant a message to parents.

• What was previously named the “Lockout” protocol will now be named “Secure.” This is the most common type of emergency protocol and usually happens when there is police activity in the neighborhood near a school. During a Secure, students and staff are brought inside the building and all exterior doors are locked. School activities are allowed to proceed as normal inside the school. Parents and visitors will not be allowed on the campus until the protocol is lifted.

Communication with parents during emergency protocols will occur as quickly as possible. All available forms of relaying messages will be used, including automated phone systems and district social media. Unless directed otherwise, please never come to the school during an emergency protocol.

Watch the video below or visit this link to learn about all the emergency protocol level protocols.

Updated Policy Regarding the Use of Personal Electronic Devices

In the June 2024 Board of Education meeting, the board approved changes to the district’s policy regarding the use of personal electronic devices, including cell phones. Personal Electronic Devices are now prohibited during the school day in grades K-8, and prohibited during instructional time for grades 9-12. More specifically:

• In elementary and junior high schools, students shall not use personal electronic devices during school hours. Students may possess personal electronic devices, but they shall be kept out of sight and notifications turned off during school hours.
• In senior high schools, students shall not use personal electronic devices during instructional time. School administration, in coordination with school community councils, parents, and students, may limit the use of personal electronic devices further up to and including limiting use entirely during the school hours.
• These changes do not apply to students with an approved exemption.

Student ID with Bus Pass Now Required for Secondary Bus Riders

All jr. high and high school students should be receiving an ID card in the mail.

If your student is eligible for busing, their assigned bus route information will be printed on the back side of the ID. Your student must present this ID to board the bus. If your student is ineligible for busing, the back side of the ID will be blank.

Your student will not be allowed to board the bus if they are ineligible. You will be responsible for your own transportation for at least the first two weeks of school. You can apply for a “Space Available Pass” by following the instructions linked here. The drawing for the space available permits will occur the third week of school. Transportation eligibility can be verified at: maps.graniteschools.org/schoolsearch/

Please contact the school after the start of the school year if your student did not receive an ID card in the mail or if you’d like an updated photo on the card (jr. high and sr. high students only).

Free and Reduced School Meals

Children need healthy meals to learn. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Students eligible for reduced price meals in Granite School District will also receive meals at no cost for breakfast and for lunch.

Click here for more information.

Granite School District Board of Education Appoints New Superintendent

At a special meeting held July 9, the Granite School District Board of Education appointed Ben Horsley as its new superintendent, replacing Dr. Richard Nye who was recently appointed as the senior education advisor in Governor Spencer Cox’s administration. Horsley has been with Granite School District for over 15 years and has served as Chief of Staff to Superintendent Nye for the past three years. 

Click here to read more about Superintendent Ben Horsley

August Board Meeting

Watch a recording of the August 6th Board of Education Meeting below. The meeting included a Truth in Taxation hearing that begins around 1:01:40 in the recording. Click here for more details in our board report.