Murray School District
Encyclopedia
The Murray City School District is a school district
in Murray
, Utah
, United States
. Although the district was formally established in 1906, the first known school building in the area was built in 1851. It was a small, single-room adobe structure, crudely constructed, and heated with a one small stove.
In 1905, Murray City
annexed an area of land that increased the population to 5000. As a result, the city decided it was necessary to have its own school district, which enrolled nearly 1000 pupils in the first year. There was a staff of twenty teachers, and two music and art specialists. A beginning teacher made $45 a month.
The three school buildings in the newly established district were renamed through a student competition in 1906. The names selected were Arlington School (formerly District #25 and Central School), Liberty School (formerly District #24 and Winchester School), and Pioneer School, located near 300 West and 5300 South
. By 1911, Bonnyview and Hillcrest Schools had been built. Development of a high-school curriculum began in the 1913-14 school year, at the Hillcrest School. A new grade level was added each year until diplomas were awarded in May 1917, to the first five high-school graduates. Kindergarten was permanently instituted in the 1920s.
Between 1950 and 1970, the district experienced rapid growth. Seven schools were built: a new Murray High School
facility, Riverview Junior High, and McMillan, Grant, Viewmont, Parkside, and Longview elementary schools. Horizon Elementary School was built in the 1980s, when the old Arlington School was converted into Murray's new city hall.
The rebuilt Murray High
, the district's newest school, opened in 2003, and has an enrollment of around 1500 students. The 260000 square feet (24,154.8 m²) school is built on the same 21 acres (84,984.1 m²) as the previous high school. It is a state-of-the-art facility, with high ceilings and skylights, a commons area, wireless network connections in every classroom (internet access is restricted), a geothermal heating and cooling system, an expanded auditorium, two gyms, and a courtyard.
Hillcrest and Riverview junior high schools have a combined enrollment of nearly 1500 students. Both schools have many extracurricular activities, including athletics, choir, and band. There is a variety of opportunities for academic enrichment through an interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses on higher-level thinking skills, problem solving, research, and independent studies.
The seven elementary schools average around 22 students per classroom. The Kennecott Nature Center
of Murray gives students the opportunity to enjoy observing and learning about nature up close and hands on.
to implement such a program. Adjustments were made in district buildings, including changes to thermostats. During weekends and long breaks, copy machines and computers are unplugged, and running water to restrooms is turned off. Students also help by recycling. The extra money saved goes to improve the budgets of school programs.
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
in Murray
Murray, Utah
Murray is a city situated on the Wasatch Front in the core of Salt Lake Valley in the U.S. state of Utah. Named for territorial governor Eli Murray, it is the state's fourteenth largest city. According to the 2010 census, Murray has approximately 46,746 residents.Murray is close to Salt Lake City,...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Although the district was formally established in 1906, the first known school building in the area was built in 1851. It was a small, single-room adobe structure, crudely constructed, and heated with a one small stove.
History
Between 1874 and 1900, three brick schools were built and rebuilt to keep up with the growing population.In 1905, Murray City
Murray, Utah
Murray is a city situated on the Wasatch Front in the core of Salt Lake Valley in the U.S. state of Utah. Named for territorial governor Eli Murray, it is the state's fourteenth largest city. According to the 2010 census, Murray has approximately 46,746 residents.Murray is close to Salt Lake City,...
annexed an area of land that increased the population to 5000. As a result, the city decided it was necessary to have its own school district, which enrolled nearly 1000 pupils in the first year. There was a staff of twenty teachers, and two music and art specialists. A beginning teacher made $45 a month.
The three school buildings in the newly established district were renamed through a student competition in 1906. The names selected were Arlington School (formerly District #25 and Central School), Liberty School (formerly District #24 and Winchester School), and Pioneer School, located near 300 West and 5300 South
Utah State Route 173
State Route 173 is a major east–west thoroughfare completely within Salt Lake County in northern Utah. From its western terminus at SR-111 it passes through the growing west side of Salt Lake County, eventually reaching US-89 in Murray....
. By 1911, Bonnyview and Hillcrest Schools had been built. Development of a high-school curriculum began in the 1913-14 school year, at the Hillcrest School. A new grade level was added each year until diplomas were awarded in May 1917, to the first five high-school graduates. Kindergarten was permanently instituted in the 1920s.
Between 1950 and 1970, the district experienced rapid growth. Seven schools were built: a new Murray High School
Murray High School (Utah)
Murray High School is the only high school in the Murray City School District in Murray, Utah. Murray High School is one of the smallest high schools in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area with 1,585 students enrolled in the 2008-2009 school year, the school enrolls students in grades 10-12...
facility, Riverview Junior High, and McMillan, Grant, Viewmont, Parkside, and Longview elementary schools. Horizon Elementary School was built in the 1980s, when the old Arlington School was converted into Murray's new city hall.
The district today
Today, the district has over 6000 students in grades K–12, enrolled in seven elementary schools, two junior highs, and one high school. Murray schools benefit from the PTA, Murray Education Foundation (a nonprofit organization assisting in recognizing excellence in the schools and resources for special school needs), Murray High School Renaissance Program, each school's Community Council, and an adult Community Education program with diverse class offerings.The rebuilt Murray High
Murray High School (Utah)
Murray High School is the only high school in the Murray City School District in Murray, Utah. Murray High School is one of the smallest high schools in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area with 1,585 students enrolled in the 2008-2009 school year, the school enrolls students in grades 10-12...
, the district's newest school, opened in 2003, and has an enrollment of around 1500 students. The 260000 square feet (24,154.8 m²) school is built on the same 21 acres (84,984.1 m²) as the previous high school. It is a state-of-the-art facility, with high ceilings and skylights, a commons area, wireless network connections in every classroom (internet access is restricted), a geothermal heating and cooling system, an expanded auditorium, two gyms, and a courtyard.
Hillcrest and Riverview junior high schools have a combined enrollment of nearly 1500 students. Both schools have many extracurricular activities, including athletics, choir, and band. There is a variety of opportunities for academic enrichment through an interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses on higher-level thinking skills, problem solving, research, and independent studies.
The seven elementary schools average around 22 students per classroom. The Kennecott Nature Center
The Kennecott Nature Center
Through a generous initial donation from Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation, the efforts of the Murray Education Foundation , and the assistance of many community donors, the Kennecott Nature Center provides opportunities for thousands of children from Murray City School District and selected...
of Murray gives students the opportunity to enjoy observing and learning about nature up close and hands on.
District-wide energy-saving program
At the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, district administrators started a program to save energy and money. Murray is the first school district in the Salt Lake ValleySalt Lake Valley
Salt Lake Valley is a valley in Salt Lake County in the north-central portion of the U.S. state of Utah. It contains Salt Lake City and many of its suburbs, notably West Valley City, Murray, Sandy, and West Jordan; its total population is 1,029,655 as of 2010...
to implement such a program. Adjustments were made in district buildings, including changes to thermostats. During weekends and long breaks, copy machines and computers are unplugged, and running water to restrooms is turned off. Students also help by recycling. The extra money saved goes to improve the budgets of school programs.
Superintendents
- Gideon M. Mumford, July 1905-June 1912
- Carl Ephraim Gaufin, June 1912-July 28, 1928 (died)
- E. Allen Bateman, 1928–1933
- James Clove, 1933–1950
- J. Easton Parratt, August 1, 1950–1972
- Richard H. White, July 1-October 1972
- Glen C. Oldroyd, December 1972-1986
- Ronald L. Stephens, 1986-July 1, 1998
- Richard Tranter, July 1, 1998 – July, 1 2011
- Steven Hirase, July 1, 2011 - present