Granite School District Split an Issue of East vs. West

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) East-side schools would be in great shape, but schools on the more populous west-side would suffer if Holladay, South Salt Lake and Millcreek split from Granite School District to create their own smaller one. Despite that concern, Holladay City Council Member Lynn Pace says east-side communities are still keen on the split:

"The motivations behind this issue stem primarily from serious frustrations people have in connection with Granite District's process of school closures about a year and a half ago," says Pace.

A year later, Pace says east-side residents are still upset by the closures and are clamoring for local control of their schools. However, a consultant's report says west-side schools would come up short on cash, since half of the district's tax revenues are collected on the east side. It may be too late to keep the debate from becoming an issue of East versus West, but Pace thinks the split could be amicable.

"I think it is incumbent on all of us to say, okay, how can we do this fairly? How can we structure this in a way that makes it work for everyone?"

The Utah Legislature and Salt Lake County would probably have to come up with extra money to help the new Granite School District cover its burgeoning enrollment. Before city councils in Holladay, South Salt Lake and Millcreek make their decision and put it to a public vote, they will hold a series of presentations and public hearings beginning today.

Download the consultant report: www.wepc.biz

Presentations of Consultant Report:
1 p.m. May 1 @ Salt Lake County Complex, Council Chambers

7 p.m. May 2 @ South Salt Lake City Hall

6 p.m. May 3 @ Holladay City Hall

Formal Public Hearings on Report:
6:30 p.m. May 17 @ Holladay City Hall

4:30 p.m. May 22 @ Salt Lake County Council Chambers

7:30 p.m. May 23 @ South Salt Lake City Hall

Discussions and Comment on Report:
6:30 p.m. May 1 @ Millcreek Community Council Meeting (5965 S. 900 E.)

8 p.m. May 1 @ Mount Olympus Community Council Meeting (Churchill Jr. High Library)

8 p.m. May 3 @ East Millcreek Community Council (East Millcreek Library)

7 p.m. May 15 @ Canyon Rim Community Council

1. B Kimball said:

The issue of splitting Granite and Jordan School districts should be put to the vote of all within these districts. The reprecussions of a split affect everyone in these school districts. Our education funds come from property taxes paid by many people, not just those that have children in the education system. The split should allow for the appropriate funding for both new school districts and older school districts. We also need to allow our leaders time to consider the options, research out actual costs now and in future growth, and proper negotiations in order to allow for a fair split.

Granite School District Split an Issue of East vs. West

1. B Kimball said:

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