Reader comments
'Equalization' will hit some districts hard

Where is the outrage over this bill? Why should I as a Salt Lake City taxpayer, be expected to pony up to build the new Jordan School District? SIX MILLION is being raided from programs for OUR students to clean up this mess. Where were Jordan district taxpayers when Salt Lake City residents' taxes were raised to build new schools? This bill stinks, plain and simple! If ever something cried out for a referendum, this is it. If residents of the Jordan district want two districts, they should pay for it themselves. If the governor doesn't veto this then I suggest that Salt Lake City residents insist on being allowed to vote on Jordan School district issues. After all, it IS our money!

As the pig said "some are more equal than others"

You either beleive that equalization is the right thing to do (whether you live in SLC or not) or it isn't. Funny how some think that it's only "equal" if they're on the receiving end.

Fed-Up - this issue didn't start with the new district vote in the south end of the valley. It's existed for YEARS and has never been solved primarily due to the "haves" not wanting to share with the "have-nots". Your point of view is fine, but put it into correct perspective "I've got what I want and don't want to share" not "why am I paying for Jordan..."

where is the outrage over us basically subsidising new neighborhoods in the south-west valley? I suggest we institure a $25,000 per new home fee to construct new schools and then there would not be such rapid growth in one part of the county.

Isn't that why they are building there anyway, because they can get more for their money. Ie: I don't have to pay to build schools?

I agree with Fed Up of SLC. Why should Salt Lake City's school programs be cut or our taxes be raised to accomodate the Jordan School District, especially since they caused this problem to begin with by getting greedy and voting to split their district. It isn't a matter of "yours and ours," it's a matter of paying taxes where you live. Either set it up so the entire state is one big school district and everybody pays the same or leave things as they were. The people of Salt Lake City shouldn't have to fork over school funds for the people on the south end of the valley. If somebody starts a referendum to end this nonsense, I'll definitely sign!

Amen! I can barely afford my property taxes as it is. Let the people building expensive new homes in the Jordan district pay for their own schools!

The problem is not the Jordan District, the problem is the new East side district's residents. No one voted for the split of the Jordan District, except for the residents of Draper, Sandy, Midvale, and any unincorporated parts of the county located within those boundaries. They are the ones to blame!

These cities were told by the Jordan School District people that their taxes would be raised and that the taxes of the remaining district would be raised if a split was to occur. The cities' people said no it won't, and they put the issue on the ballot. Now, when the JSD people's outlook is correct, the cities run to the Legislature to fix the problem.

SO, you can also blame the Utah Legislature for not getting the "School District Splitting" bills right for at least the last 4 sessions. Instead of getting it right the first time, the Legislature has a habit of quickly writing and passing bills that they "can come back and fix in later sessions". It never works when they do it that way.

This is really nothing more then taxation without the ability to have a Truth in Taxation meeting or a vote.

I hope that all of you remember that it was the actions of Cottonwood Heights and its citizens that created this whole mess. I didn't want to split up my district and I am not happy that you now have to pay for it.

You have my sympathy but not an apology. Your owed apology is due from Mayor Cullimore and his cronies. They are the ones who put the "needs and desires" of a small and insignificant city ahead of everyone else.

My district -- the Granite District -- is also being unfairly asked to foot this bill. Since the east-side Jordan district residents voted for the split, they should pay the consequences through their own property taxes. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a lawsuit over this. I for one, would definitely join an organized protest. I am hoping it does not come to that, though. Governor, please veto this bill!!!!

To SLCers complaining about Jordan residents not paying their own way - my tax rate for school buildings in Jordan is more than double what you pay, so I definitely didn't move here so that I "don't have to pay to build schools".

And I scoff at those who condemn the "greed" of east-side Jordan residents, when their "greed" (not wanting to pay for new school buildings outside their little area) is identical.

I hope the Governor thinks through his politics really well on this one if he's actually thinking of vetoing the bill. Is he really doing himself a favor to make Salt Lake City residents (who elect Democrats) happy while facing the ire of the residents of the southwest portion of the valley (who elect Republicans)?

We should have a statewide education funding system to ensure that no kids are "more equal" than others, as is currently the case.

Blame the legislature. They created the district split law. They removed impact fees. They created the equalization plan.

If this really upsets people, vote out the incumbents and start anew. Because really, we voted for the legislature and the blame for that squarely lands on the voters. Sadly, we all are to blame.

To the Jordan district person who hopes the governor does not veto this bill: Is it OK, then, to ask Jordan district residents to chip in to build new schools in other Salt Lake County districts? How about if we raid your coffers and raise your taxes to pay for new programs for our students? How would you feel then? If your tax rate is "more than double" what we pay, perhaps you should think of moving elsewhere. And perhaps people in the south part of the valley should rethink moving into homes they can't afford and having such large families unless they're willing to pay for all the extra schools that will have to be built in their fancy new neighborhoods.

You're all missing the point. This Robinhood bill is to accomodate charter schools. If we can split up the districts enough and get "Backpack funding" for charter schools the legislature thinks everything would be fine. They don't want school districts or anything larger than a local elementary school. Hopefully the timing of your tax notice and the election will be close enough for us to make a good statement.