Senate passes bill on creation of small school districts

After two days of debate, a bill that details the creation of small school districts passed in the Senate on Wednesday.

SB30 now moves on to the House for approval.

An amendment to the bill also gained the Senate's approval and will allow constituents to vote on the issue in 2007, rather than in 2008.

"There's plenty of time for us to have additional bites of the apple on this before this could possibly become effective," said Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, who sponsored the amendment.

Senators on Tuesday had approved an amendment by one vote that put the vote in the 2008 election, when bigger items would be on the ballot. The change concerned numerous city leaders, many of whom have moved ahead with feasibility studies to determine if it's effective for them to split from their current massive school districts and form a smaller, locally controlled district.

"I think there will be an enormous public turnout when it goes on the ballot," said Holladay councilman Lynn Pace, who has been the city's point-person for the school-district discussion. "But if they delayed the vote, that created the risk of further bonds being issued and schools being closed."

South Salt Lake, Holladay and Salt Lake County have already entered into a feasibility-study agreement to examine the impact of a new district. Cottonwood Heights, Draper, Sandy, Alta, Midvale and Salt Lake County have also approved their own study. Those cities are in Granite and Jordan school districts.

Most of Salt Lake County's east-side cities have grown tired of losing their influence in the state's largest school districts and have been concerned about paying for new schools on the county's west side, while many of their east-side schools are shutting down.

Despite the support from municipal leaders and parents, a handful of senators questioned how a district split would affect the remaining district. Tax increases are certain for west-siders if the east-side cities go forward with a district split.

"I'm concerned," said Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper. "This is the first time I have ever voted against a smaller school-district bill, and the reason I'm voting against it is, as we proceed, I think we need to make sure it works for all of our community, not just some."

The bill passed with a substitute that says many of the unanswered questions will be studied in the interim session, such as whether all voters in the existing district should vote, and what should happen with district property.

Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights, said she was ecstatic that the bill went through with a 22-7 vote.

"It was a huge challenge, but this needs to happen," she said.

Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan, who watched the debate from the Senate gallery, said Walker has been a "champion" of the issue, and if the bill passes, Sandy will begin a round of neighborhood and town hall meetings to inform constituents.

"If it continues to go ahead (with support), we'll put it on the ballot. It will be the people's choice," he said.

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Contributing: Tiffany Erickson

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E-MAIL: astowell@desnews.com