New senator Ben McAdams hopes to end school equalization program

SALT LAKE CITY — New senator Ben McAdams wants to eventually get rid of the controversial "equalization" program that makes school districts share money with districts experiencing rapid enrollment growth.

This is the first year four Salt Lake County school districts are donating funds to help the burgeoning Jordan School District. McAdam's bill would put a two-year sunset clause on the program, ending it in 2012.

"It's bad public policy," McAdams, D-Salt Lake City, said of the equalization program.

"It masquerades as equalizing education funding," he said, explaining school districts such as Salt Lake City have older buildings that require money for repair and upkeep – or even need to be torn down and rebuilt.

Canyons, Murray, Granite and Salt Lake City School Districts are contributing to Jordan District's capital funds to construct school buildings. Jordan is to receive $11.7 million this year.

The districts each have varying monetary requirements for the equalization and are handling the demand differently. Contributions are based on taxable value, size of district and number of students. Granite is contributing $700,000; Canyons, $4 million; Salt Lake, $6.6 million; and Murray, $335,000.

Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, is proposing a bill to do away with the equalization program altogether. McAdams says his sunset bill is simply a backup in case Davis' legislation doesn't go through.

McAdams is completing the final year of the term served by Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City, who resigned to focus on his law career.

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