The Uintah School District has added more information to its website about a proposal to close Uintah Middle School and reconfigure the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. The UMS Closure Study webpage now provides enrollment data for 2018 to 2026 and a 10-page document outlining the questions district officials are exploring as part of the study. A frequently asked questions (FAQ) document is being developed and should be added to the webpage early next week.
As part of the study, the principals at Ashley, Davis, Discovery, Lapoint, Maeser, and Naples elementary schools have met with or will meet with their 5th-grade students to gather the students’ opinions about the proposal to serve 6th graders at the elementary level next school year. Likewise, the principals at Uintah Middle School and Vernal Middle School have met with or will meet with their 6th- and 7th-grade students to gather their opinions on the proposal to consolidate the 7th and 8th grades into VMS next school year. The student meetings follow a protocol that uses neutral language so students can share their opinions freely. The proposal will also be a topic of discussion at the Community Council meetings for these eight schools in November.
Eagle View Elementary will not be affected by the proposed change because it is a K-8 school.
The next Uintah School Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Eagle View. On that day, the board will hold a work session at 3:30 p.m., the annual Impact Aid meeting at 5:30 p.m., and a business meeting at 6:30 p.m. It will take public comment on the proposed closure of UMS and reconfiguration of schools during the business meeting. The agenda will be posted on the district’s public meeting portal at least 24 hours prior to the meeting, as required by Utah law.
Individuals who wish to provide online public comment specifically about the proposed closure of UMS and reconfiguration of schools can do so by using this form. Online comments can be submitted until Dec. 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. This will allow school board members time to consider your comments before they vote on Dec. 22, 2026.
Please note: Online comments submitted to the district may be subject to public disclosure under Utah law. Please do not include private information about students or other individuals. The form takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Only the first question is required.
Again, the district’s information about the UMS Closure Study, including the dates of all upcoming meetings where the public can provide comment on the proposal, can be found on the district website.
Opening Night for The Drowsy Chaperone
It’s opening night for the Uintah High Theatre production of The Drowsy Chaperone. The show is about a middle-aged, asocial musical theater fan who, feeling “blue,” decides to play a record of his favorite musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, for the audience. As the record plays, the show — a parody of 1920s American musical comedy — comes to life onstage, with the man wryly commenting on the music, story, and actors. The fictional musical in the recording features the intrigues of an about-to-be-wed oil tycoon and a Broadway starlet.
The show runs Oct. 23-24, Oct. 26-27, and Oct. 29-30 in the UHS auditorium. Curtain time is 7 p.m. for all performances. For tickets, visit uintah.ludus.com.
VMS Student Art Show
Vernal Middle School art students present “In the Minds of Illustrators John Kenn Mortensen and Edward Gorey” at the Museum of Uintah County through the end of October. Inspired by the eerie and mysterious artwork of Mortensen and Gorey, VMS art students have brought their own creatures, characters, and dark dreams to life through Inktober, a monthlong challenge in which artists create an ink drawing each day in October. Visit the museum this month to explore what lurks in the shadows and support our student artists.
UMS to Host ‘Rooted in Community’
Uintah Middle School invites families to “Rooted in Community: Growing Connections, Building Community” at the school on Monday, Nov. 9, at 5:30 p.m. The evening features Braxten Nielsen, a motivational speaker and professional rodeo cowboy who — after a life-changing spinal cord injury — learned to face challenges with determination and a positive attitude. His message is simple: You don’t have to be perfect; just try to become 1% better every day. Families can also connect with local organizations, including the Uintah Rec Center, USU Extension, Ashley Valley Education Center, Uintah Basin Healthcare, TriCounty Health, and the Uintah County Library, to discover resources and opportunities. All attendees will be entered into a drawing for family fun baskets and a grand prize of an annual family pass to the rec center. For more information, call (435) 781-3130 or visit https://wewereborntosucceed.weebly.com/.
Celebrations
Fifteen seniors have been selected to represent Uintah High at the 2027 Northeast Region Sterling Scholar competition in March at Utah Valley University. The students and their categories are as follows: Sidney Anderson (Agricultural Science), Brynadee Deets (Business and Marketing), Jacob Allred (Computer Technology), Mya Madsen (Dance), Kate Jolley (English), Addi Foley (Family and Consumer Sciences), Ethan Buchanan (General Scholarship), Bridger Robb (Instrumental Music), Izzy Porter (Mathematics), Braxton Wilcken-Pond (Science), Thomas McKeachnie (Skilled and Technical Sciences Education), Rhett Van Oostendorp (Social Science), Alexis Anderson (Speech, Theatre Arts, and Debate), Janessa Cordova (Vocal Performance), and Eric Reynolds (World Languages).
Congratulations to these outstanding students!
Weekend Events
The Uintah High Marching Band and Color Guard will compete tomorrow, Oct. 24, at the Mt. Timpanogos Invitational at American Fork High School. The Utes are scheduled to take the field at 3:45 p.m. Tickets are available on the American Fork High events site. The band is currently selling fleece blankets and Mexican vanilla as fundraisers. Visit the Uintah Band website and click the “Support Uintah Music” button to make a purchase.
GO UTES!