UEA opposes splitting of districts
Union says everyone should be able to vote on the matter
Last month, the Utah Education Association's House of Delegates — the 18,000 member union's governing body — approved a resolution regarding school-district boundaries.
"The Utah Education Association believes that the quality and sustainability of student programs must be protected, economic viability of districts and communities must be maintained, and the rights, benefits and salaries of all district employees cannot be put in jeopardy," states the resolution. "The Association supports legislation that requires all those affected by School District Boundary changes to have the opportunity to vote in an election considering potential redistricting."
The east side of Salt Lake County is studying splitting from the west side of the county, effectively cutting both Jordan and Granite school districts along the Jordan River.
"It's been a huge issue in the past year to year and a half, so the members wanted to put (the association's stand) on record," UEA spokesman Mark Mickelsen said. "All people in an individual school district ought to have a say ... Why disenfranchise one group of people and favor another group of people? It just doesn't make sense."
"It depends on, in my opinion, what influence that may have on those who currently are allowed to vote under the law," Newbold said.
The Jordan Board of Education has not taken a stance on the school-district split issue but has talked about the need to do so, Newbold said. Members might not be unanimous in their thinking. In a meeting earlier this month, the board had a heated discussion after a district buildings proposal contained nothing for the east side, and board member Sherill Taylor questioned the incentive for Draper to want to stay in the Jordan District.
Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights, sponsored a small school-district split bill in the 2007 legislative session and is heading up a legislative task force to study the issue. She said she was "disappointed" by UEA's statement and thought it was inappropriate for the group to chime in.
"UEA should be concerned about what is best for the kids in terms of education. The parents are the ones to make this decision of whether they want a smaller district," Walker said.
"Jordan School District has not been proactive in dividing, and the process has not worked so far. The school district is just out-of-control big and it needs to be divided. The problem is, if everyone votes, it won't happen."
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