Reader comments: District split giving taxpayers a painful education
8 comments | Read story
Chuck | 7:55 a.m. Feb. 26, 2008
The district split did NOT cause this problem. It merely brought an existing problem of insufficient building funds and inequities in property tax to light. The bill is the right thing to do, but it doesn't provide enough state funding yet. The legislature has ignored this for too long. The split is merely getting them to BEGIN to address the problem that has been there all along.
Right on the money | 8:15 a.m. Feb. 26, 2008
Excuse the pun, but you're right on the MONEY on this issue Marjorie! Now to see it in print, it's even more ridiculous. Perhaps it could be e-mailed to every legislator.
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DAve | 8:30 a.m. Feb. 26, 2008
We are constantly told that everyone should pay for education (whether you have children or not) because we all benefit. What is the difference here? This is not just about the Jordan Distict.
sodiedog | 9:15 a.m. Feb. 26, 2008
We do ALL pay for public education through state income taxes (100% earmarked for poublic ed and secondary education). Property taxes are used for services provided by local entities including local school districts, cities, counties, mosquito abatement districts, water districts and libraries. Equalization sounds great...but it creates winners and losers and, in this case, is the result of legislative near sightedness allow school district divisions without planning for the consequences.
Joe | 9:20 a.m. Feb. 26, 2008
Equalization to help the west side of the Jordan School District seems a farce. The east side residents of what was the Jordan School District have approved a $196 million bond and all of that money will go to the west side. The Jordan School Board recently voted 4 to 3 to send millions of their "repair money" to the west side for the "new" schools while that money is really needed on the east for the "old" and "unsafe" schools. Now, SB 48 wants to take even more money from the east side (about $4 million / per year) plus millions from Salt Lake, Granite, and Murray to again give to the west side of Jordan. I think equalization has already taken place.
cuba | 2:08 p.m. Feb. 26, 2008
Just follow the money through the legislators and AG. The Administrators only concern is how to expand their base for government paychecks and benifits, not expand the class rooms or earthquake proof the school much like the sacred fathers residence i.e. State Capital.
SeparateSchoolAndState | 4:53 p.m. Feb. 26, 2008
"We joke in Utah about special taxes on diapers, infant formula or cereal. I hope we don't get to the point that those sorts of discussion move beyond the realm of jokes."
Yes, Heaven forfend that parents would actually pay the full cost of schooling their own children, and not use the taxing power to reach into the pockets of those who don't have children enrolled in the govskools.
Yes, Heaven forfend that parents would actually pay the full cost of schooling their own children, and not use the taxing power to reach into the pockets of those who don't have children enrolled in the govskools.
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Cudos to the legislature for doing the right thing.