April 25, 2000
West High School student: "IT'S A ONCE IN A LIFETIME THING. SCHOOLS SHOULD BE CLOSED SO THEY CAN GO DO THAT."
Some Utah students want school closed for the 2002 Winter Games, but would that be an Olympic-sized headache for thousands of parents?
There's a tough decision ahead for the Salt Lake City School Board.
News Specialist John Daley explains.
Advocates for the poor say closing school for the Olympics is a nice idea--but in practice it'll be more trouble than it's worth.
It's becoming a lesson in logistics.
The Olympics are a unique educational opportunity.
But what's the best way for 25,000 Salt Lake district students to take advantage of that?
Roughly half are low-income,
and a district proposal to close schools for the Games gets low marks from advocates for the poor.
Linda Hilton/SLOC Humanitarian Services Committee: "HOW ARE THEY GOING TO AFFORD FOR SOMEONE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN?"
What's more, there's no guarantee kids will get tickets to see the Games, and most events take place outside school hours.
Organizers are cautiously neutral. The district says no decision has yet been made.
Bill Shaw/Salt Lake Organizing Committee: "LET'S JUST SAY WE DON'T HAVE A PREFERENCE ONCE WAY OR THE OTHER."
Even the kids are well-versed on the pros and cons.
Either way the school district goes, some folks undoubtedly will be unhappy.
Expect a decision in the next few weeks.
