Utah Legislature: Plan to quash school equalization program faces heated opposition

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill to quash the school district equalization program met strong opposition during discussions in Tuesday's Senate Education Committee meeting.

Jordan District Superintendent Barry Newbold said his district is still reeling from that district's split, and "it's too early" to eliminate the equalization program, which requires four Salt Lake County school districts to contribute to Jordan District due to its rapid enrollment growth.

The Jordan district division was official in July 2009, with the east-side Canyons District splitting from the west side, which remains as Jordan district.

Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake, is pitching a proposal to kill the equalization program. "It is an unfair tax on the school districts in Salt Lake County," Davis said.

SB87 is set to come back to the committee for future discussion.

The equalization program requires Canyons, Murray, Granite and Salt Lake City districts to contribute to Jordan'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, according to data from the State Office of Education.

Kathy Johnson, member of the South Jordan City Council, fought against the bill, stating Jordan District was left with more students but less property valuation with which to glean school financing. If Jordan were still whole, it would have $2,118 to spend per student. Currently, Canyons is able to spend $3,425 per student, while Jordan has $1,824 per student, she said.

"I believe we need to keep it (equalization) in place until we find a real solution," Johnson said.

Davis points out that while Jordan District is growing and has needs, older districts such as Salt Lake have aging buildings that require costly upkeep.

After the meeting, Charlie Evans, Canyons District government relations director, told the Deseret News, "They (Jordan) are not unique in needing money. Every single district in the state needs money."

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