School districts still 'equalizing'

SALT LAKE CITY — Four Salt Lake County school districts will continue to donate funds to help the ever-growing Jordan School District unless future legislation changes things.

No such bill is proposed as of yet. However, Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, is working on legislation that would at least hold the receiving school district accountable for these "equalization" funds.

While the Legislature's Education Interim Committee agrees with the general concept of Stephenson's bill, there isn't a consensus on exactly how to hold that district accountable and what rules should be instigated that specify how the money is spent.

"We may be creating a unique animal," said Rep. Wayne Harper, R-West Jordan, meaning it could set a precedent if the capital equalization program and accountability measures are ever applied statewide.

The capital equalization law, which came out of the 2008 legislative session, went into effect this fiscal year. Salt Lake County school districts — Canyons, Murray, Granite and Salt Lake City — will contribute to Jordan District's capital funds to construct school buildings. Jordan will receive $11.7 million, which is needed to meet a burgeoning population on the west side.

Each district is handling the way it shares funds differently, based on taxable value, size of district and number of students. Granite is contributing $700,000; Canyons, $4 million; Salt Lake City, $6.6 million; and Murray, $335,000.

Stephenson said he would like to see the capital equalization program apply statewide — not just in Salt Lake County since there are other school districts that are also rapidly growing in enrollment.

In the meantime, the four Salt Lake-area school districts will continue to dole out funds to Jordan District, although some are doing it a bit grudgingly.

"We have an obligation under the law that we intend to honor — as long as the law is in place," said Dave Doty, Canyons District superintendent. "(But) we have lots of capital needs here that we could use the money for."

In November, the State Board of Education reviewed and discussed the capital equalization process. Some board members pointed out it is difficult for districts to give up their funding — especially districts such as Granite and Salt Lake that serve children at risk.

State Superintendent Larry Shumway said equalization is always about someone giving someone else's money.

"Every equity movement has a winner and a loser," Shumway said.