Utah Legislature: Equalization program regulation bill passes

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that implements more guidelines for a controversial Salt Lake County school district equalization program received final passage in the Senate Thursday night.

Jordan School District is getting about $11.7 million from the countywide equalization program, in which the other four districts contribute to Jordan to help build schools for the district's burgeoning enrollment.

SB175, sponsored by Sen. Ben McAdams, D-Salt Lake, would require Jordan District to report to the Education Interim Committee annually and explain how they are spending their "equalization" money and describe a plan on how the district will increase its building capacity, such as by having year-round school.

— Amy K. Stewart