From Deseret News archives:
Granite chief outlines flaws in funding plans
"This is not an equalization," Granite Superintendent Stephen Ronnenkamp told the Taylorsville City Council during a presentation Wednesday night.
The problem with proposals being discussed by the Local Issues Task Force, Granite officials said, is that they only address growth, money needed for new school construction, while ignoring school districts' building-replacement needs and those areas with pockets of growth but no net enrollment increase.
Under the proposals, taxpayers in the existing Granite School District would contribute about $13.7 million into the statewide school facility funding program but would not receive any of that money because of a lack of net growth in the district in the past three years, district officials said.
If the Granite School District is split, with Holladay, South Salt Lake and east-side areas of unincorporated Salt Lake County forming a new school district, taxpayers in the remaining Granite district would contribute $7.4 million but only receive up to $3.7 million because of growth.
The findings presented Wednesday night resulted from Granite officials' analysis of a feasibility study conducted for east-side cities proposing to split from the district.
The district's overall conclusion is that a division is feasible but not without significant impact.
"What we've learned through all of this is anything can be feasible, but there's a cost to that," Ronnenkamp said.
According to the district findings, a Granite division would require increased capital taxes for enrollment growth and building needs in the remaining district.
District officials also concluded that the tax base of both districts would be insufficient to maintain current operations of the schools within the statutory limits placed on property tax rates for operating funds. That likely would necessitate increased class sizes and a reduction in student services and opportunities.
The Taylorsville City Council expressed its hope and even some confidence that the Salt Lake County Council will decide not to approve the proposed split from the Granite district, allowing more time for concerns to be addressed.
Just in case that doesn't happen, the City Council approved the allocation of up to $15,000 to take part in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state law that allows cities to form new school districts without a vote of everyone impacted by the change.
E-mail: jpage@desnews.com
Comments
- Snowstorm hits Utah; 1 dead 1:11 p.m.
- GameDay in Fort Worth 1:10 p.m.
- NASA sets Monday shuttle launch 11:53 a.m.
- WVC robberies investigated 11:41 a.m.
- Funeral today for Utah soldier 11:16 a.m.
- Vaccination clinic set in St. George 11:15 a.m.
- $47B in suspect Medicare claims 11:11 a.m.
- 3 dead in Reno helicopter crash 11:02 a.m.
- Galaxy headed to MLS Cup 10:45 a.m.
- Veteran climber dies in Himalayas 10:36 a.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- D-Will home for daughter
- Man killed during 3rd I-15 crash
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Williams leaves, won't play tonight
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Born of water and the spirit
- Trial begins in toddler death
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
351 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - Senators want food tax restored
163 - Will state consider gay rights law?
146 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
117 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
103
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
I say get rid of the food tax and get the money by raising property taxes,...
We see that the government bank is Ally (pronounced (A Lie). Our tax dollars...
Rest in peace, Aaron. The world is a darker place without you.
JD was the only team to beat Springville this year and they will be playing...
Consider this. The owner of this particular dog provided no proof of rabies...
I love the disgust on Corso's face as he throws the helmet. It pretty much...
Chump change for ACORN (and other demo nuts).
As I look at the picture of this child, I thank the powers that be, and how...
my, my so many experts ready to pass judgement on someone you never knew, sad!
Let's see what coach Sloan does with the 2 big guys tonight. We'll see if he...

You can be the first to comment on this story.