Schools in the West Desert

West Desert School is unique in many ways. It is the smallest high school studentbody in Utah. It draws students from Callao in the north, from Pleasant Valley in the west, and from south of Gandy in the south. Parents spend a good deal of time and money getting their students to school. It takes about 45 minutes to travel from Pleasant Valley (in good weather). In the past, one family sent students from Fish Springs -- an hour-long trip, twice a day!

Teachers at West Desert School are unique, too. Both the high school and elementary schools are basically one-room schools. The elementary school, particularly, has one teacher, Partoun's Kathy Hill, covering grades kindergarten through six (although this year there are no 6th graders). Mrs. Hill also is the special education specialist for WDES, WDHS, and Callao. The high school is in a similar situation but has a couple of aides to help the lone teacher, Trout Creek's Ed Alder. Mr. Alder is in the classroom all day; before and after school, he fulfills principal duties as well. During one high school period, he teaches four distinct courses in the same classroom. Neither teacher has a prep period during the day. When the school goes on field trips, Mr. Alder is the bus driver (and tire-repair specialist -- speaking of which, West Desert High School may be the only school in the state where tire repair is part of the curriculum, at least unofficially).

The staff similarly has extended duties. Special ed aide Kayla Christensen (from (Callao) is the librarian for both schools. Classroom aide Camille Allred (from Gandy) facilitates a high school level distance education program and is the president of the parent-teacher organization. The secretary (yours truly, from Partoun) also facilitates EdNet courses (college level distance education). Custodian April Lewis (of Partoun) also goes above and beyond the call of duty -- while we were in the midst of a staffing disruption, she volunteered many hours keeping the library in order and recently organized a junior basketball league, enlisting high school students to coach the teams. She also drives the bus, particularly for elementary field trips.

Non-staff residents in the valley also help out. For example, Gandy resident Marlene Bates comes most days to continue an excellent elementary fitness program she began before she retired as school secretary. She also oversees elementary children during lunch, giving Mrs. Hill a much needed break. Mechell Alder, from Callao, volunteered to teach Spanish in the West Desert Elementary.

Enrollment currently is down to the lowest levels in decades -- 6 elementary and 14 high school. In the early 1990's the numbers were swelled by several Nevada families in Pleasant Valley, requiring the addition of two prefab elementary buildings. The campus then used four buildings, employing 9 teachers and a preschool aide. The school was a virtual hive of school and community activity.

To the north, in Callao, Annette Garland holds the fort in much the same way Mrs. Hill does. During periods of peak enrollment, she has single-handedly taught grades K-8. Enrollment is down now but it still is taxing. She also serves as custodian after school and has many secretarial and administrative duties as well. Enrollment this year is down to 4.

(I've wondered if the diminished population, and diminished school enrollment is -- in some small way -- a function of a watergrab-induced pall hanging over Snake Valley.)

One positive aspect of small schools is the interaction between elementary students and high school students. All students share the gym after lunch and high schoolers can be seen coaching children who can barely hold a basketball. They share the lunch room, where high schoolers commonly seat themselves at the elementary table to share conversation and laughs. High school students typically help out during elementary school plays -- with backstage costume changes and stagehand duties such as scene changes and lighting. High school students have been involved in tutoring programs, helping coach elementary students in subjects such as math.

The school serves as a main community center for social connectedness in the surrounding area. High school and junior league sports, when the studentbody is big enough to field teams, draws many parents and community residents. School plays and other programs, likewise have provided many memorable community moments. The school is the natural site for meetings. Two Utah governors have been honored guests at WDS -- attracting sizeable crowds. Recently, the county extension agent presented a workshop on drip irrigation. A week ago the school hosted a performance of Utah Shakespearean Festival's Twelfth Night, which several residents attended.

A few meetings concerning the SNWA water grab have been hosted at WDS, including an early meeting featuring Utah Department of Natural Resources chief Mike Styler and, later, Lt. Governor Gary Herbert. Utah water rights chief, Boyd Clayton, also has visited WDS to provide updates on the UT-NV agreement negotiations. (The water grab has provided an opportunity for teachers to expand, illustrate, and emphasize critical aspects of our desert life and ecology.) The August 2005 Water Express Run, from Baker to the Federal Building in Salt Lake City, was hatched, planned, and overseen primarily by WDS staffers -- particularly Ed Alder.

Through the years, WDS students have performed many public service clean-up projects. High schoolers also have been involved in local environmental conservation projects -- including a riparian restoration of a spring in the mountains above Trout Creek and a project to protect least chub south of Partoun, working with Utah DNR specialists.

West Desert School is only one example of this kind of dedication and community cohesion. Schools in Baker, Garrison, and EskDale share similar characteristics made necessary by small studentbodies, long distances, and diverse (though small) populations. Countless school-related stories could be told about this aspect of desert life here.


For more information, see:
West Desert High School http://www.tintic.k12.ut.us/schools/westdeserths
West Desert Elementary http://www.tintic.k12.ut.us/schools/westdesertes
Callao School http://www.tintic.k12.ut.us/schools/callao