Upgrades too pricey for Canyons

A report suggesting upgrades for old school buildings in the Canyons School District has opened up old resentments over the recent school district split.

Board president Tracy Cowdell said if the district were to make all the recommended changes, from air conditioning to seismic upgrades, it could cost up to $600 million.

"And you don't have to be a CPA to know that the math doesn't work," Cowdell said.

Cowdell said the results of the district split and arbitration decision were not exactly fair and has left the Canyons dry. "It's wrong when people say the Canyons district split and took its money and left," he said. "The opposite is true — if you want to be candid about it."

Jordan district officials say the east-side schools are not a problem. "We left the east-side schools in good repair. There is not an unsafe school on the east side. If they want to add air conditioning, it's up to them," said Jordan district spokeswoman Melinda Colton.

In November 2007, east-side residents voted to leave Jordan district and form their own school district. The division was official July 1, with the west side remaining as Jordan district and the Canyons district taking the east-side schools.

A total 54 Canyons parent volunteers spent the last five months gathering data on the school buildings for the district facilities and enrollment task force.

Task force committee co-chairwoman Lisa Johnson said the buildings are up to code and legally meet compliance but as a committee they have concerns for children's safety and learning environment. If the buildings were constructed today they wouldn't pass muster. "We would like our buildings to be up to higher standards," Johnson said. For example, Butler Elementary was built in 1923 and has received an addition and seismic upgrades. Alta View Elementary was built in 1963 and has since had a playground and an electrical upgrade.

The task force also noted problems with mold, asbestos, plumbing, lighting, heat and student drop-off areas.

"This will be a guiding force in the future," said board member Mont Millerberg.

However, actions in the past are affecting the future of both Canyons and Jordan districts. The two districts opted for arbitration to split assets and liabilities – the results of which were decided in March.

The remaining 13 years of a $300 million Jordan district bond debt will be paid off with 58 percent from the Canyons based on the value of homes and businesses and 42 percent from the west-side Jordan district, to compensate for the higher value of homes and numerous businesses on the east side.

The bond was incurred by a 72 percent vote districtwide in 2003. Jordan board president Peggy Jo Kennett points out the bond is "an obligation the whole district took on."