Jordan District split plan rejected
Team opposes proposal on paying back $112M
Though officials say they agreed with a sizable portion of the proposal, they couldn't sign off on agreeing to pay back the new east-side school district $112 million from a bond — something that would require a tax increase on the west side.
"How do we say to the patrons, 'We're going to enter into an agreement and commit the next board of education to pay the east side $112 million,' and then turn around and say, 'By the way, you are going to have to raise taxes,"' said Ralph Haws, chairman of the transition team.
Last week, a negotiating team comprised of members from both sides presented recommendations to both teams on how to fairly divide Jordan School District assets. East-side residents voted in November to split from Jordan and establish their own district.
But the Jordan District Transition Team, which represents the remaining west-side district, opposed the proposal based on what they said would be a negative impact on taxpayers and students.
Transition team members said the remaining proceeds from the 2003 bond have already been earmarked by the current board of education and should not even be a consideration in the division of assets.
"In essence what they are asking us to do is take some of the money that will be generated through equalization and turn around and pay that back to the east side," Haws said. "And what does that say to Granite, Salt Lake and Murray, who are having to give that money to assist in the building on the west side, and then we turn right around and give that money to the east side?"
Another issue the team had with the proposal relates to the actual date the district's assets and liabilities are allocated. The proposal requires that separate financial records for the remaining district and the new district begin July 1, 2008. However, some of the assets would need to be tracked as of Jan. 1, 2008. Leaders say this contradicts the law, which designates June 30, 2009, as the date for this allocation to occur.
Jordan District Transition Team members said it is their intent to have further discussions on the proposal with the new school district transition team, recognizing there is agreement on most of the recommendations.
Haws said he hopes the rejection is not a deal breaker to the proposal and is hopeful the issues can be worked out with the new district transition team.
E-mail: terickson@desnews.com
Recent comments
Under the proposal the East would get 45 school buildings currently…
The Real Reality Check | April 9, 2008 at 9:06 a.m.
The East side gets more of the non-school buildings. They have the…
The real Reality Check | April 8, 2008 at 9:18 a.m.
Oh...Now I understand your argument. The west side has 57% of the…
Reality Check | April 8, 2008 at 8:28 a.m.
