AG to Release Opinion on Smaller School Districts

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) West side cities claim a new law that prevents them from voting on a proposed school district split is unconstitutional. Only East side residents part of the new district will vote on the matter. West-siders are preparing to sue the state over the issue. But KCPW's Julie Rose reports another legal opinion is on the way: 

The Utah Attorney General will soon release an opinion countering the legal argument from West side cities who say they have a constitutional right to vote on a proposed school district split.

Two groups of East bench communities are planning to put a district split on their ballots this November. West side communities who will be left in the old Granite and Jordan Districts are planning to sue the state because they won't be allowed to vote on the split.

State Senator Carlene Walker says the Attorney General's opinion finds the law both constitutional and defensible. Besides, she says allowing the entire district to vote will virtually guarantee the proposal fail.

Walker says lawmakers are close to consensus on a plan to equalize funding for the old and new districts. She is pushing for a special legislative session in August to formalize the funding plan. That way, she says voters in November can be assured their decision to secede from the larger district will not leave either side of the split in desperate need of money for new school buildings.

Legislative leaders are noncommittal about the need for a special session on the issue.

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