Deseret News | Reader comments: School district named Canyons

Reader comments
School district named Canyons

Anonymous | 5:39 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Canyons is an apt name for a District designed to create a chasm between the people on the East and West side. We will always be referring to it as the great rift between the elitists and the needy.

RE: Anonymous | 7:24 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

So says sour grapes from the West side. The fact that both parts of the otd district can't agree on what their needs are (declining enrollment vs. predicted growth) only validates that both sides will be able to focus better on their particular needs without neglecting others.

That is exactly why the East side split. So the new district could focus on the needs of their student body instead of being neglected in lieu of extreme growth. Being an elistist has nothing to do with it.

Not original | 7:49 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Mayor Cullimore has been using this name for the past year. Did he collect his prize?

Comments continue below

Sour Grapes? | 8:15 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Sour Grapes, really? Throughout the 70s and 80s as growth was booming on the east side, the tax revenue from the west side more than helped to build every school in existence in the new CANYONS district. Now the tide has turned and growth is booming on the west side and instead of repaying the favor, the east turns tail and runs. They want to keep their money to themselves and thumb their rich noses at those who have previously helped them with their growth.

This is the same mentality that too many people take today...I have mine and I don't want you to get yours. It is selfish and essentially a way of saying I am better than you.

Shame on the east side

Discounted Ski Lesson | 8:22 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Will the Canyons School District offer discounted ski lessons?

re: re: Anonymous | 8:45 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

I am frustrated because I have lived on the West Side my whole life and we have been sending our tax dollars for the East Side growth for many, many years. In fact, we have even bussed kids from the west side to support schools that should have never been built on the east side because the numbers didn't justify it, Cottonwood. Now that the west side is experiencing growth of its own, the east side wants no part of it. I don't think I have sour grapes so much as lack of understanding about how the east side can chose to desert now that their needs have been met, but not support those that have supported them through their growing times. You can say that you don't have kids, etc., but I didn't have kids when I was supporting the east side growth either.

Sour grapes indeed | 9:03 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

The west never helped the east build its schools because when the east was growing, the westside of the valley was primarily farmland. The fact is the east built its schools and then it has contributed a greater percentage to help build the west's schools as well. Stop being so bitter. The west is going to be just fine -- in fact, probably better than the east. It already has the infrastructure of the Jordan District in place while the Canyons District is basically starting over. Further this isn't and shouldn't be about east and west or "you got yours now I want mine." It's about providing a good education to 80,000 children, and there is no doubt that two smaller districts can do that much better than one gigantic one.

Also, look at the picture again that accompanies this story. Look at the exuberance and pride of the winning entrant -- a student. Why do you want to trample all over that with such acrid animosity?

sour grapes/anonymous | 9:07 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

so for us on the east side we're obligated to sacrifice the quality of our children's education because you want us to fund your kids as well? You should have split it in 1970 then, I think it says something about the excellent forsight and responsibility of the voters in the Canyons district as opposed to anything else. There are some great deals on real estate in Sandy so if you're so worried about it you should sell you west side home and move up east. Instead of constantly worrying about how bad things are why don't you focus your energy on actually do something constructive?

Hahahaha | 9:54 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Do something constructive? You mean like being about to actually vote on an issue that affects us? Oh wait!!!

Something to think about.. | 10:22 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

What the taxpayers really need is for school districts to consolidate rather than forming more districts. Sure, there are districts that are so large that managing becomes too difficult. But there are areas in this state where combining districts would be more economically prudent. Unfortunately, some administrative positions would be eliminated and budgets would have to be restructured, but what a great savings to the taxpayer.

Not good for kids | 10:29 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

We will soon discover that two smaller districts cannot provide the same kind of education as a large one -- especially when the west side district will be short money. And in the end, the kids are the ones who are hurt thanks to the politics of a few.

KF | 10:56 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Get over it. The many attempts to overturn the election have been rejected all the way to the Utah Supreme Court. It was a legal election. Lick your wounds and move forward.

East vs. West | 11:05 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

There is alot of money in South Jordan and there is alot of poverty in Sandy. The notion of rich vs. poor no longer applies in this case. It's more a question of wind, traffic and liquifaction during an earthquake that distinguishes west from east.

acrid animosity big words | 11:09 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Who created the animosity? From the very start this has been about money and the "I've got mine, you can't have yours" mentality. What is more efficient about two entire entities running what used to be run by one? Nothing.

If this is really about the children, what lesson is being taught to them about splitting a district so yours can be better, with more funding, rather than working together in cooperation for the good of many?

For the past 100 years of the Jordan District, those "farmers" have used good values in working together to help others. Now the "big city folk" walk away when they have the opportunity to help others. There was farmland and Kenecott Copper long before anything was in the Southeast side of the valley, and their money helped to build everything you are taking away.

Spoiled and selfish, that is what you are teaching the children to become.

Rename Jordan High | 12:03 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Now that we have accepted Mayor Cullimore's new district along with his chosen name for it, we need a centerpiece high school the sports the same moniker. Let's rename "Jordan High", "Canyons High". We can also do away with the embarrassing Beetdigger mascot too. If "Canyons High" doesn't do it for ya'll, howabout renaming all the high schools after ski resorts! We already have Brighton, and Alta. How about Solitude! In addition to the natural marketing potential, it could also symoblize that good 'ol Republican feeling of going it alone! You know.. "I" can not "We" can!

Tax Revenues | 12:08 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Understand that the lion's share of funding for schools comes from allocations from the State and are allocated on a per pupil basis. Therefore the West side will have a larger operating budget.

Property tax revenues make up less then 1/3 of the total revenues to the district. Of that 1/3 of total revenues about roughly 45% comes from the westside and 55% from the east side. These numbers all change from year to year but for this year the Jordan District operating budget would have a net decrease of less than 3%.

Schools are buit using bonds which the liabilities will be split pro rata which means that any outstanding bonds will be split out in proportion to the students meaning that the east district will be liable for the debt used to build schools on the west side. The east side has about 45% of the current enrollment but will still be liable for millions in debt to build schools on the west.

BTW- Cottonwood is not part of the Jordan district. Nice.

Also you have a vote to create your own district if you like. Please feel free.

Selfishness equals Solitude | 12:19 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Now that we have accepted Mayor Cullimoreï¿½s new district and the name he chose for it, we need a centerpiece high school that sports the same moniker. Let's rename "Jordan High" "Canyons High". If ï¿½Canyonï¿½s Highï¿½ doesnï¿½t quite do it for you, how about ï¿½Solitude Highï¿½. We already have Alta and Brighton so Solitude would be a perfect fit! Plus it highlights the current Republican motto of selfishness and solitude that got us into this whole mess to begin with. You knowï¿½ ï¿½Iï¿½ can instead of ï¿½Weï¿½ can. West side, you're on your own!

1Observer | 12:35 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

The west side has one additional school than the east side and the money spent on the west side schools far eclipses anything spent on east-side schools. Additionally, the ratio of prpoerty tax east vs west is currently roughly 57 to 43% but has historically been even more slanted in contribution from the east side. So, any argument that the west helped us and we on the east have abdicated our responsiblity to them is pure bunk. As I have said before, for me as a parent, it has never been about the property tax but was about the poor, arrogant treatment parents received from the existing Jordan administration. We on the east have begged, cajoled and hoped for some help with our low-tech, crumbling schools, only to be promised if we voted for a bond our concerns would be addressed and we would get some help out of the bond proceeds. So we voted yes, only to have the rug pulled out from under us. This is just one example...

Some things | 12:44 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

First, the name. What a terrible name. Canyons? Wow, that's bad.

Second, location. There may be depressed areas on the East side, but there's no reason they shouldn't help foot the bill for some of the growth on the West side.

Third, district size. There should be no argument that smaller is better. Small districts, though, should be of secondary concern to small schools. For best result shoot for ~400 students per elementary school and ~1000 students per high school. There will be no doubt that students will achieve more in those settings.

Fourth, heritage. What a shame to call your heritage 'embarrassing'. Beetdigger signifies the ancestry of the South Valley and should be celebrated, not berated. I applaud schools/communities anywhere that acknowlege the past in this way.

Fifth, that name again. Canyons? Ouch. What about Lone Peak or Mount Olympus or something like that? Canyons makes me think of the Ski Resort in Park City...

Sixth, happiness. Happiness that I don't live in the new Canyons school district!

Tax Revenues | 1:28 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Just like the vote to split the district, the east voted to accept the bond four years ago. I guess the vote wins and the vote loses.

Loralai | 1:31 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Not to worry, those of you on the west-side. The east side district will go the way that entire side of the valley is going... into a downward death spiral. It's old, it's run down, it's just going to continue to deteriorate. The east side is in denial if they thought this would solve their problems. In 10 years I guarantee they will be crying they don't have enough money to fund anything as people continue to leave neighborhoods, business' continue to abandon small and old buildings for newer and more spacious ones on the west side with cheaper rents and leases. We should probably be thanking the east side for doing this, you have to cut off the dead branches so that the new ones can flourish and grow.

Anonymous | 2:41 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Re: Sour Grapes indeed,

What infrastructure does the Jordan District have that the Canyons needs? A District Office, no the Canyons District gets that, check the address it is on the east side. An alternative school, no both sides will have one. A bus barn, no. A high school, maybe one day in the future.

The Canyons District parents and residents are about to find out that running a school district is not like running a business, there are too many government rules and too many layers of government trying to run it from the outside looking in.

Rename @ 12:03 | 4:56 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

I like Canyon High as the new name for Jordan. The mascot could be a banker begging for a government bailout. A permanent reminder of how the status of the wealthy is guaranteed at the hard work and expense of the working middle class.

Cullimore has been using and wanted the name Canyon District to go along with the nickname of his kingdom: The City Below the Canyons.

Anonymous | 5:22 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

"The west is going to be just fine -- in fact, probably better than the east. It already has the infrastructure of the Jordan District in place while the Canyons District is basically starting over"

The East has the infrastructure not the West. The East keeps the District offices and the adjunct offices. They also keep all the bus garages if things are divided geographically.

The West will be better off than the East because the East will have to close schools, and the State will move to further equalization so everyone in the state pays for East's choice.

Tongue twister name.......... | 5:43 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Canyons School District...say it fast. Those double s"s will teach us how to speak. It takes real energy to say this name right. Believe me, it will become "Canyon School District" with the public. Maybe it should have been "Lone Peak School District." People will ask, what canyon is it in?

Joe | 7:16 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

Year but we still have Barry and Burke try replacing those two minds. Good luck Brighton oh I mean the canyons

ELKMAN. | 4:29 p.m. Oct. 23, 2008

This is the biggest political disaster in the history of the State. Cullimore, Curtis, Waker and Dolan all need to get voted out. We need to elect a Representative who would help get this thing called off. This is politics at it's worst. Shame on these politicians. This stupid split is going to hurt teachers and students on both sides of the valley!!! We need to hold our own ethics committee at the ballot box and send these guys packing.

Anonymous | 9:13 a.m. Oct. 24, 2008

I was hoping that they would come up with a name for the District that was even snootier such as Shady Hollow School District or Valley View Ridge School District or perhaps even East Valley Excellence School District.

Look for positive | 9:20 a.m. Oct. 24, 2008

I am embarrassed as I read the above comments. Why is everyone so bitter? Yes there are negatives on both sides but lets look for the positive and move forward. I live on the west side but work on the east side. I did not get to vote on the district split but I am greatly impacted by the vote. I am going to look for the silver lining and think positively. This can be the best thing to happen or the worst thing to happen, depending on your attitude. So change your attitudes and think positively! Take the high road!

Positive? | 10:02 a.m. Oct. 24, 2008

We'll see how positive you are when you get your tax notice this time next year!

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Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Nick Crawford, a sophomore at Brighton High, receives prize package Tuesday from school board members of new east-side district. He submitted the winning name.