East side votes to split Jordan District
A similar measure for West Jordan is defeated
|
"We think this is going to open a new era for education that will be very positive," Cottonwood Heights Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore Jr. said. "The nice thing about it is the decision is made and now we can focus on making it really good."
"Not that the idea of more local control in schools or changing the way the district is managed is a bad idea across the board," she said. She's not ruling out a future breakaway movement.
Voters in Cottonwood Heights, Draper, Midvale, Sandy, Alta and unincorporated Salt Lake County voted to form a new 33,500-student district — the state's fifth largest — in the name of self-governance. Backers complained the district ignores constituents' concerns and that the west side eats up more tax dollars for buildings due to booming growth.
The Jordan Board of Education opposed the split efforts, noting the district is recognized nationally for high graduation rates, efficiency and quality. It feared a split would hurt programs for students.
The vote was "not to the advantage of students or taxpayers," school board president J. Dale Christensen said. "But you know the Jordan School District continues and will continue to be an outstanding school district, and I can assure you it will remain committed to good education," he said.
The new east district could require $26 million in start-up costs, a feasibility study shows.
A pending lawsuit filed by Herriman city and a group of west-side voters, however, challenges the election on one-man, one-vote constitutional grounds. State law did not allow anyone outside proposed new district boundaries — basically, those on the west-side outside of West Jordan — a vote in the matter.
Contributing: Amelia Nielson-Stowell
E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com
Recent comments
This is the best thing that could happen to the west side. Now that...
West side | Nov. 11, 2007 at 2:40 a.m.
The is no disenfranchisement. You won't beleive that, perhaps...
Dear Dear Dear Sean | Nov. 8, 2007 at 9:19 a.m.
As a Westsider I recognize that my tax burden is about to increase...
JMB | Nov. 8, 2007 at 12:40 a.m.
