Some Hillside residents unhappy with plans for new junior high

(Murray Journal) The Murray School District has a problem. Hillcrest Junior High School is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act; and the building has heating, plumbing and electrical problems. District officials have been looking for a 20-acre lot to rebuild the school, but Murray City is landlocked as far as available property goes.

The district was in negotiations with Intermountain Health Care to buy property on the old Cottonwood Hospital campus, but the plans fell through.

“The school district is in a terrible position,” said Murray School District Superintendent Richard Tranter. “With the steep elevation there’s just no way for us to keep the property where it is, and to move the playing field where the school is would create an unsafe situation on State Street.”

Therefore, when several homes on Hillside Drive went up for sale, the district began purchasing them hoping to rebuild due east of the school. Several residents have already sold to the district, but not all are happy about it. Over a year ago, community members met with district officials and voiced their concerns.

Original Article