In our opinion: Equalize schools statewide

If the idea is to put Utah schools on an equal footing, regardless of their growth rates or the wealth of the taxpayers who support them, then the only sensible way to do this is with a statewide capital equalization plan.

In past years, all we've heard are excuses about how politically impossible it would be to enact such a thing. But it's time for the excuses to end. A quality education for all Utah students ought to be the overriding concern.

Lawmakers two years ago passed a law that equalizes only the school districts within Salt Lake County. This was in response to the split of the old Jordan District, which left west-side residents of the leftover, much smaller Jordan District with a disproportionate share of the growth and too little tax base to cover needs. But the county is too small an area for such a plan to work, and the law has placed a heavy burden on other districts. The Salt Lake City School District, for example, has to pay $6.6 million. That money would come in handy in a district with many of its own needs. This is why two Democratic senators from the city are proposing bills that would end equalization in two years.

Instead of ending it, equalization should be expanded. Many of the state's rural areas face impossible situations dealing with inadequate buildings and a tax base that is too meager to allow for much construction. Other parts of the state are comparatively wealthy, with taxpayers and property-tax values that are more than adequate for the job. But while education is a local matter, the entire state benefits when all students can benefit from adequate facilities. And a statewide equalization plan would minimize the burden on each district.

We also agree with Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, who would like to ensure that districts benefitting from equalization are accountable for how they use those funds. Certainly, districts should have to demonstrate how this money was used wisely.

Utah has slipped a bit in its support for public education through the years. Lawmakers are going to have to grapple with how to fund ongoing needs for curriculum, salaries and staffing. Statewide equalization for capital needs would be one way to begin taking care of some problems with a minimum of pain.