Go slow on equalization plan

The dissolution of the Jordan School District could be likened to the mother of all divorces. Soon, two teams will meet to divide the assets and liabilities of the state's largest district, necessitated by the split voters approved in November. Teams representing the east and west sides respectively will evaluate the existing and future debt as well as assets within the district. The teams include respected and seasoned professionals, including former Jordan District building and business administrators.

This should bode well for an amicable process, but many questions regarding the split persist. For one, only voters in the communities seeking to secede from the Jordan School District could vote on the ballot question. A lawsuit is pending in federal court challenging the fact west-siders could not vote.

Another pressing issue is whether the property owners in what will remain of the Jordan School District will be saddled with a significant tax increase after east side communities leave, taking their disproportionately high revenues with them. A feasibility study commissioned by the South Jordan City Council and released earlier this week showed if South Jordan residents were to form their own school district, their property taxes would increase by 8 percent — beyond the projected 18 percent hike that will come with the Jordan School District bond that the entire west side will share.

If South Jordan joined with West Jordan, then Herriman, Riverton, Bluffdale and unincorporated Salt Lake County could experience a 27 percent increase, coupled with the projected 18 percent increase for the construction bond.

All of these factors cry out for a legislative solution on building equalization formula or law. While lawmakers eye a proposed $90 million tax cut, they need to make this issue a high priority. West-siders should not be unnecessarily burdened just because people in Midvale, Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, Draper, Alta and the unincorporated county voted to form their own district.

Legislative interim committees have spent considerable time examining this issue. One proposal would create a $28.5 million equalization fund drawing from local property and income taxes. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Dan Eastman, R-Bountiful, a former member of the Davis School District Board of Education, appears to have strong support. Its intent would be to treat school districts "fairly" regardless of their size, growth and needs.

Another proposal would delay implementation of the Jordan District split until 2012, or until the Legislature works out a prioritization process for new funding. This makes good sense. Whatever approach the Legislature arrives upon will set the stage for future school district divisions. Considering all that is at stake, lawmakers must take a methodical approach in addressing this issue.