Principal honored and district addresses dual immersion requests

MT. PLEASANT—School choice, dual language immersion opportunities and statewide recognition for a Moroni Elementary principal highlighted discussion during the North Sanpete School District (NSSD) Board of Education meeting on July 21.

Superintendent O’Dee Hansen said the board approved a school choice request and a placement involving the district’s Spanish dual language immersion program, which is housed at Moroni Elementary.

Under the district’s school choice process, students who live outside Moroni Elementary’s attendance boundaries may apply to attend the school specifically to participate in the dual immersion program, provided space is available.

“The dual immersion program gets offered automatically” to students within the Moroni Elementary attendance area, Hansen said. Students from other communities, including Fairview, Spring City, Mt. Pleasant, Fountain Green and Indianola, may also apply to enroll through the district’s school choice process.

Students must enter the program before the midpoint of second grade to remain on track with the curriculum, Hansen said.

The program provides instruction in both English and Spanish, allowing students to develop fluency in reading, writing and speaking both languages throughout their elementary and secondary education.

Hansen said students who complete the program may also qualify for scholarships, receive special recognition on their high school transcripts and diplomas, and earn college credit. Those who continue with advanced coursework can complete enough credits to come close to earning a Spanish minor while pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

“It’s a really great opportunity for them,” Hansen said. “Most importantly, they become fluent in the Spanish language and are bilingual.”

In addition to discussing preparations for the upcoming school year, the board also recognized Moroni Elementary Principal Stacey Peterson for receiving the Utah Rural Schools Association’s Administrator of the Year award.

Peterson, who oversees the district’s dual immersion program at Moroni Elementary, received the statewide honor during the Utah Rural Schools Association conference held last week in Cedar City.

“I think that was an amazing recognition,” Hansen said.

Hansen added that much of the July 21 meeting focused on summer work taking place across the district as staff prepare schools and facilities for the start of the 2026-27 academic year. He said much of that work occurs behind the scenes but represents a significant effort by district employees before students return to classrooms.

For many years, Spanish dual-language immersion has been part of the discussion surrounding the educational experience for students at Moroni Elementary.

In January 2025, the NSSD board heard several hours of public comment on the future of the Spanish dual-language immersion program at Moroni Elementary after concerns were raised about student performance, transportation challenges for families who wanted to opt out and Spanish course options in high school. While some parents described difficulties with the program, the majority of those who addressed the board supported keeping dual-language immersion in place and urged the district to make targeted improvements rather than eliminate it.

The discussion continued as district leaders reached a decision on the future of the program after months of reviewing public feedback, student data and district policies.

In mid-February 2025, the board voted to retain the Spanish dual-language immersion program at Moroni Elementary while adopting a series of administrative and instructional improvements. The changes included greater district oversight of enrollment decisions, increased support for struggling students, expanded parent education, regular program evaluations by state specialists, additional professional development for teachers and enhanced tracking of student outcomes. The decision followed several months of community input and district review, with board members acknowledging concerns raised by some families while concluding that the program should continue with additional accountability measures.