All grades at Eagle View Elementary School will have a chance to take Ute Indian Tribe language class as a specialty course.

During a presentation to the Uintah School Board on Aug. 9, Eagle View Principal Robert Stearmer explained when the course would be taught and how students could join it.

He said the 30-45 minute class will be taught three to five days a week depending on the schedule associated with similar specialty classes and can substitute the time slot normally used for music, P.E. or art class.

Computers are also taught around that time, but Stearmer said student’s would not be able to “opt out” of computer time because that’s the time when students do testing.

“We will not be lessening academic time, because they’ll go to art, music, P.E., it will just be part of our specialist time,” Stearmer said to the school board.

The school is looking to hire a certified Ute language teacher who previously taught at the school.

“By having (the teacher) do that as an elective class we’ll reduce the class sizes from those other specialists,” Stearmer said.

Funding for the teacher would come through the Ute Indian Tribe funds. He said hiring for the position happens year-to-year, with just a one-year contract.

Students who participate in the specialty program will be monitored to see if students personally progress by taking the course.

“We’re going to be tracking the students on their attendance, behavior and academic achievement to see if it impacts that one way or another,” Stearmer said.

He said the course is a bit of a pilot program because few places in the United States offer a class like Ute Indian Language.