Utah Legislature: House OKs bill to ease Jordan District cuts

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that could save Jordan School District from having to lay off teachers passed the House unanimously Friday.

HB295 would allow school districts to use building funds for classroom needs — flexibility that many districts could use during the ongoing budget crunch.

Jordan District officials and educators alike have high hopes for the bill to pass in the Senate next week as the Legislature wraps up Thursday night.

"We hope it sails through the Senate," said Robin Frodge, president of the Jordan Education Association teachers union. "We then hope the school board takes full advantage of this opportunity to drastically cut back the number of layoffs."

The district is facing a $30 million deficit and could eliminate 500 positions, including 250 teachers.

Jordan School Board President Peggy Jo Kennett said if the district could use building funds for classrooms, "we would make use of every penny we can so we wouldn't have to lay off so many teachers."

There is a two-year sunset clause on HB295. During House debates Friday, Rep. Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley, tried to pass an amendment limiting it to one year, saying school districts should be able to work out their budgetary problems in a year.

"Who controls the purse strings of the state of Utah? I'm sorry, it is not school districts," Bigelow said, adding that funds are separate for a reason. "Do you think we have those rules in place for fun? For no purpose?"

The amendment failed. However, several lawmakers warned education officials they had better not mess up this privilege if the bill passes. Sumsion agreed saying, "Don't blow it."

Meanwhile in the Senate on Friday afternoon, Sen. Ben McAdams, D-Salt Lake, presented a bill that creates more guidelines for a controversial equalization program that requires Salt Lake County school districts to donate funds to help Jordan District build schools due to its growing enrollment.

The legislation would require Jordan District to report to the Education Interim Committee annually and explain how it's spending the "equalization" money and describe a plan on how it will increase its building capacity, such as by having year-round school.

"We have no problem reporting where we spend that equalization money," said Kennett.

If HB295 passes, this "equalization" pot of capitol funding could very well be spent on classrooms in Jordan District.

SB175 passed the Senate 23 to 1 and will be debated by the House next week.

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