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Pignanelli, Webb: Legislators working hard on school split

When will the citizens stop listening to the "Talking Points" of educators, and educate themselves as to where their tax moneys are going?
We are all benefited by hugh property tax rates that have risen substantially because of property values. The largest portion goes to LOCAL school districts. During the next Legislative Session, we will again here the UEA bemoan the fact that poor Utah has amoung the Lowest WPU(weighted per puple spending)in the nation. UEA does not want a "Robinhood Plan" where all education dollars are collected at the State level(WPU) and distributed evenly per student enrolled. It seems that all educators think the rich should benifit from their own property taxes, and not share. This split in Jordan District should wake up everyone to the fact that FAPE (Free and Appropriate Education) is way off the mark.
Lets call for action as citizens, and demand that the broken, selfish system of too many school districts, each having their local moneys is not the fair way. When we claim that all of society is served by an educated public, the Robinhood Plan" would save millions in administration costs and allow fairnees in education.

so, anonymous, you are actually suggesting one district in Utah controlled by the legislature instead of smaller community-run districts?

Yuch!!!

What about the bills which creates special boundaries to save Cottonwood High School and split Draper City into two districts? What is to stop legislators from sponsoring a bill to allow their children to attend another school by putting their streets into another district. Or maybe their child's school should start at 9 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. so their children can sleep in. The legislature is micro-managing in an area where they don't belong.
And by the way Mr. Webb, we do not "trust" the legislature to solve this problem. Once the east-side legislators appease their constituents, they will disappear from the issue.

Other states have gone to the system of the state collecting the taxes and then appropriating it to the school district according to the number of students. Arizona is one. The state also funds the construction of new schools at very basic levels. Parents get involved additionally in that the state allows tax credits up to $400 per married couple for donations to extracurricular activities at the schools (this comes directly back as a tax credit when taxes are filed). Some schools collect $15,000, and some collect $150,000 in donations from parents. Nothing makes things totally equitable between schools in less affluent areas, but this certainly comes closer than how it is handled in Utah. Colorado was sued several years ago for equitable funding and may have been forced to go to a similar system. I think it is only a matter of time before Utah also is forced to fund their schools in a similar manner.

Alvin-the Draper and CH issues were constituent-driven, not a case of micromanaging by legislatures. Both cases were part of the unintended consequences of SB30 and the legislators acted to correct them, at the request of hundreds of residents living in those areas, thereby allowing students to remain in Alpine and at CHS. I'll admit the CHS soluiton was a little tricky, but the Draper one, in which I was involved, was absolutely the right thing to do so that our children could have continuity of education and be transported safely.

You asked what is to stop them from changing boundaries or school start times themselves? Answer: YOU! If you don't like what they're doing, form an organization to oppose it, and then rally the troops to vote them out of office! Take action and DO something instead of whining:-) This is a GREAT country, so take advantage of your rights and freedoms and work to affect change.

Its a rare day when I agree with both Piganelli and Webb!
I have been involved in this process for 2.5 years, and have watched this debate as it developed. I've seen a lot of legislators, city & county officials, and others across the valley work very hard to find solutions that work. And I've seen a lot of disinformation in the public that has come from a failure of the people to do their homework.
The Cottonwood High issue is a case in point. I attended a meeting called by Sen. Jones that brought together all of the key players in the Cottonwood High issue. In the end, it was the stated desire of the Cottonwood people themselves that drove the decision to amend the statute in the special session.
May I suggest to those who would impute motives to the political leaders working on this issue that you would do better to study the matter thouroughly and work constructively with us. Instead of complaining about being victims, get off your duffs, get informed, and get involved.