Corroon's approach laudable

There's a huge difference between doing something fast and doing something right.

Take the respective movements to split the Granite and Jordan school districts. There are many as-yet unanswered questions regarding these proposals. The most disconcerting issue is whether it is unconstitutional not to permit everyone affected by a district split to vote on the matter.

It's one of the reasons Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon is taking a methodical approach to proposals that would split the state's largest school districts. Corroon also is concerned about the finances for school construction and special education funding.

It's vintage Corroon and it's laudable. To use his words, "This is not fixing a pothole."

Indeed.

Splitting either school district would have long-term ramifications. Voters must have a clear understanding how their vote would impact the finances of the school district for school construction and academic offerings. Corroon is so concerned about these matters that he has asked legal counsel whether he could veto a vote of the Salt Lake County Council to place these questions on the ballot.

Corroon, as he demonstrated with his careful deliberations over Real Salt Lake's soccer stadium, prefers a due diligence approach to issues that will require a significant public policy shift. As much rancor as there has been over Salt Lake County making public funds available so the soccer stadium can be built, splitting school districts poses far more complex issues that would impact literally thousands of students, their families and the educators and classified employees for years.

The Salt Lake County Council could vote on placing the questions on the ballot to split both the Granite and Jordan districts as soon as July 31.

The County Council should give Corroon's concerns due consideration as it weighs these matters. Resolving the constitutional issue of "one man, one vote" before placing these matters on the ballot is just good common sense.