SALT LAKE CITY — Four Salt Lake County school districts will continue to donate funds to help the ever-growing Jordan School District unless future legislation changes things.
No such bill is proposed as of yet. However, Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, is working on legislation that would at least hold the receiving school district accountable for these "equalization" funds.
While the Legislature's Education Interim Committee agrees with the general concept of Stephenson's bill, there isn't a consensus on exactly how to hold that district accountable and what rules should be instigated that specify how the money is spent.
"We may be creating a unique animal," said Rep. Wayne Harper, R-West Jordan, meaning it could set a precedent if the capital equalization program and accountability measures are ever applied statewide.
The capital equalization law, which came out of the 2008 legislative session, went into effect this fiscal year. Salt Lake County school districts — Canyons, Murray, Granite and Salt Lake City — will contribute to Jordan District's capital funds to construct school buildings. Jordan will receive $11.7 million, which is needed to meet a burgeoning population on the west side.
Each district is handling the way it shares funds differently, based on taxable value, size of district and number of students. Granite is contributing $700,000; Canyons, $4 million; Salt Lake City, $6.6 million; and Murray, $335,000.
Stephenson said he would like to see the capital equalization program apply statewide — not just in Salt Lake County since there are other school districts that are also rapidly growing in enrollment.
In the meantime, the four Salt Lake-area school districts will continue to dole out funds to Jordan District, although some are doing it a bit grudgingly.
"We have an obligation under the law that we intend to honor — as long as the law is in place," said Dave Doty, Canyons District superintendent. "(But) we have lots of capital needs here that we could use the money for."
In November, the State Board of Education reviewed and discussed the capital equalization process. Some board members pointed out it is difficult for districts to give up their funding — especially districts such as Granite and Salt Lake that serve children at risk.
State Superintendent Larry Shumway said equalization is always about someone giving someone else's money.
"Every equity movement has a winner and a loser," Shumway said.
One of Stephenson's ideas for his bill is to switch middle and high schools in the receiving district to a year-round schedule, with a required increased enrollment capacity of at least 33 percent more students. The idea is to ensure the receiving district's buildings "are utilized on a more productive basis" so the money is used wisely, Stephenson said.
Education leaders, however, say switching to year-round school could have far-reaching ramifications, and it's best to do a pilot program before making it a law.
"I believe it deserves to be looked at and studied," Jordan District Superintendent Barry Newbold said.
Shumway agreed, saying having a district model the year-round program would allow for "a better understanding of exactly how this would work."
Stephenson points out some teachers may find a year-round schedule to be an opportunity to increase their salary without any additional taxpayer cost, if they want to teach during the summer. He believes that increased salary would attract more men into the classroom since they could then be sole providers with fewer financial worries.
The senator added he believes "after the initial shock" wears off, people would actually like and seek out a year-round program.
"There would be a greater attraction," he said, since there could be enhanced educational offerings and higher quality of teachers.
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