Schools may have to account for money

A school district that receives "equalization" money from other districts to help fund rapid enrollment growth should be held accountable for those funds, says Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper.

While the Legislature's Education Interim Committee generally agrees with Stephenson, there isn't consensus on exactly how to hold that district accountable and what rules should be instigated, including requiring year-round school.

Legislation Stephenson proposed to set those rules failed to pass through the committee Wednesday, but he plans to continue working on a bill for the 2010 session. He is the Senate Education Committee chairman and president of the Utah Taxpayers Association.

The capital equalization law approved by the Legislature last year requires Salt Lake County school districts — Canyons, Murray, Granite and Salt Lake City — to contribute a total of $10.4 million to the ever-growing Jordan School District's capital funds to construct school buildings.

One of Stephenson's ideas calls for districts that receive equalization dollars — currently only Jordan District — to switch middle and high schools to a year-round schedule, based on an increased capacity of at least 33 percent.

"It is appropriate for them to show they are utilizing buildings more fully so they can justify the fact they are receiving money from other districts, the taxpayers throughout the county," he said.

A year-round schedule could also increase salary opportunities for teachers, Stephenson said.

Education leaders, however, say switching to year-round school could have far-reaching ramifications and it's best to do a pilot program before making it a law.

"It's hard to know exactly what the effects will be," state Superintendent Larry Shumway told the committee.

Stephenson concedes requiring year-round school would be "a change from tradition" but he believes once people "get over the initial shock" parents and students would prefer the schedule. For example, athletes who are on the road a lot could choose a lighter academic load during that trimester.

Jordan District Superintendent Barry Newbold said he has had several conversations with Stephenson about year-round school and believes it is "a viable option" that should be studied.

e-mail: astewart@desnews.com TWITTER: AKStewDesNews