SL School District Could Lose $11M to Equalization Plan

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(KCPW News) This Wednesday, Utah lawmakers will meet in special session to debate a proposal meant to ease concerns that splitting districts into smaller chunks will leave West-side schools hurting. In the process, lawmakers could deliver a major blow to an entire school district. KCPW's Julie Rose reports:

 

The Salt Lake City School District will lose $11 million dollars from its budget for school buildings if state lawmakers pass the current version of a funding equalization plan. What's more, Salt Lake City residents and businesses will have to pay higher property taxes, too, says district spokesman Jason Olsen.

The plan is meant to ease concerns that splitting districts into smaller chunks will leave West-side schools without money for buildings. It focuses only on Salt Lake County and allocates money based on enrollment growth. Since the Salt Lake City School District isn't growing, it stands to lose big.

But Olsen says the funding plan doesn't consider the money Salt Lake School District will need to furnish buildings and renovate or repair aging schools.

Meanwhile, Jordan School District will get $14 million dollars more because it's growing so quickly. Granite and Murray School Districts also lose funds in the equalization plan, but nowhere near the $11 million dollar hit Salt Lake City takes.

Tonight the Salt Lake City Council will consider a resolution opposing the plan. Lawmakers meet in Special Session on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

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