Leaders of the Ute Tribe of Utah see something positive in the closure of the public school on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation.
The West Junior High School and Todd Elementary are victims of the No Child Left Behind Act.
Students failed to meet standards under the federal law, which ties accountability to federal funding.
But tribal leaders are hopeful that a new K-8 school will lead to a fresh start for their youth. The Todd School opens in 2009 and the tribe has been working closely with the public school district to make sure it's a success.
"I think this has been a real big breakthrough," Ramalda Guzman, the chairwoman of the Ute Tribe's Education Board, told The Deseret Morning News. "It's all about working together and building a good relationship ... talking about what is going to work and what is not going to work, and coming to a compromise."
About 120 students, mostly tribal members, attended the West.
Get the Story:Seeking a tournaround: Ute Tribe wants to partner with parents and school board to build success (The Deseret Morning News 1/8) Related Stories:
Editorial: School closure might help Ute students (12/21)
No Child Left Behind shuts down Ute school (12/18)
