From Deseret News archives:
Spending on schools supported
A Dan Jones & Associates survey of 1,636 residents in the growing Jordan School District found 77 percent favor increased funding for district schools. Seventy-two percent said they would be willing to pay for it.
In an open-answer question, 18 percent said raising taxes was the way Jordan District could provide the best education possible in the coming years the most common answer provided. Other responses: 12 percent talked about teachers, 10 percent said smaller classes, 9 percent said build new schools, 5 percent said use dollars more wisely and 4 percent said reduce administration. Seventeen percent said they didn't know.
"(With) such a large sample size, we feel confident about the data," Pat Jones, Dan Jones & Associates co-owner and focus group moderator, told the board of education Tuesday.
So does this mean a tax hike is coming?
"We have not even talked about that. That's just an interesting byproduct . . . that people seem to be willing to raise taxes to help with education," board President Peggy Jo Kennett said.
"We will have to consider going out for bonds," Kennett said. "We haven't discussed a time frame yet . . . but we know it will probably have to come sooner than we anticipated."
Voters in February 2003 approved a $281 million bond to build 22 schools.
The study, which Jones said also included focus groups, was commissioned by the school district to gauge interest in magnet programs. The survey included at least 200 people from each high school area.
Sixty-one percent said they favor more elementary magnet schools, such as the ALPS program or those focusing on disciplines such as arts, math or science. Three-fourths of those surveyed favored more in secondary schools.
Space in the ALPS program is limited, and many wind up on waiting lists. ALPS takes 875 elementary students; 1,608 have applied for next year's program, the district reports.
The district plans to work toward creating new programs at Ridgecrest, Riverton and Sunrise elementaries. The programs would start next school year for first through fourth grades; fifth and sixth grades would be added in the two years after that. Another program could be set up in the northwest area, too, perhaps by fall 2007.
Also found in the survey: Big class sizes are a big issue, as class sizes received low approval ratings.
Forty-five percent said they favored tax credits for private school tuition, up from 39 percent in 2003.
E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com
Comments
- Man guilty of murdering 2 10:32 p.m.
- Sports briefs 10:32 p.m.
- Photo: Tree aglow at the Capitol 10:32 p.m.
- Griz shuffle roster 10:31 p.m.
- Expert calls Mitchell delusional 10:28 p.m.
- WSU vs. BYU 10:27 p.m.
- Victim's mom wants teen in adult court 10:27 p.m.
- Utahn is seeing stars via Web site 10:26 p.m.
- Over 2 bars per S.L. block approved 10:25 p.m.
- Cold-weather precautions for pets 10:21 p.m.
- BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
- Yet again, we learn BCS is a big joke
- Storm pounds Utah for 2nd day
- Cougars in better mood about bowl
- Williams' late jumper tops Spurs
- Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
- Ranking the bowl games
- $2M error could mean layoffs
- Witness: Mitchell stalked victims
- Expert calls Mitchell delusional
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
278 - Letters: Global warming a lie
212 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
205 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
162 - Cougars going back to Vegas
147 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
142 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
119 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
107 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
101 - Harpring's NBA career is over
99
For the latest news in the health care debate and how it affects you...
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Joyce Gannon offers the following advice...
Every time I see Koufus shoot close to the rim he gets blocked. The other...
I must agree with Ex adict it has nearly ruined my life. BTW to the lady who...
Next step, put something in the bill that will actually reduce health care...
I see on Obama's face the same clueless confidence that pervaded the visage...
And if you ask non-partisan accountants or economists, they can't say for...
people love to complain. This article is a perfect example. I'm guessing if...
They are apparently much smarter than most US citizens give them credit for.
"MISTER K: Not only that, but the Cougars will be playing Oregon State, one...
Congrats... tryin to go... I love BC
Merry Christmas Max Hall


You can be the first to comment on this story.