Split district issues
Cottonwood Heights vote
State law now has a process, completely separate from school
boards and districts, whereby municipalities can place the question before the
voters in their municipalities whether to create a new school district.
In November 2007 the voters in
Cottonwood Heights and associated municipalities will vote whether to create a
new district.
If successful, a new district, including the portion of
Cottonwood Heights served by Granite School District, will be formed and will
begin operation as a district in July of 2009.
Although the new district would be the district of
residence, the law provides a mechanism for students to continue to attend
Granite School District schools.
Asked at Cottonwood High School network meeting, October 17,
2007
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Wants a smaller district in
West Valley City
While there are advantages to both large and small districts, we are aware that
a large district is able to offer a greater depth and variety of programs and
services to students at a lower cost than would be possible with a smaller
district. We also believe that the Granite board has the ability to be extremely
responsive to its patrons through our school community councils, which are
already in place and are legally required by Utah state law. The district is
making every effort to educate the public in regard to the purpose and role of
community councils. Please refer to the district's November 2007 issue of
Pathways for more information. (This publication was mailed to each household in
the Granite District.) Ultimately it will be up to the people of the district to
decide this issue, not the Board of Education, should the issue appear on the
ballot in a future election.
Asked at Hunter High School community meeting, November 7, 2007
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Board representation and
district split
There are several requirements in state statute that must be met when forming
board precincts. Districts with student populations under 24,000 may have
five-member boards. Districts with student populations over 24,000 shall have
seven-member boards. Board precincts are determined by the county or municipal
legislative body. The district precincts are divided into areas of substantially
equal population and should be contiguous and compact as practical. Precinct
boundaries are reapportioned at least once every ten years; when a new district
is created; or whenever a district is consolidated.
Current precincts were reapportioned in 2002. They were based on substantially
equal populations of around 51,000 total people within each precinct. The
precincts will be reapportioned again in 2012. Representation is equal in that
board members represent largely equal populations within compact geographic
areas.
Dividing a district in order to maintain equal representation may or may not
fully address the concerns stated. A smaller district still will be divided into
relatively compact, contiguous areas of substantially equal populations as
required by law. Those municipal areas with higher populations or municipal
areas with more dense populations within a new district boundary will still have
different numbers of board members living in or near the municipal boundaries
depending on the geographic size and population density of the area. The
perceived advantages or disadvantages of this method of apportionment will still
be present within the new district precinct areas.
Asked at Skyline High School community meeting, January 16,
2008
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Unifying Granite School District
As we watch Jordan District undergo a difficult and uncharted district split,
many have asked what they might do to guarantee that Granite District does not
find itself in the same painful situation. One of the primary things we can all
do is change the perception in our own minds that there is an east/west division
in the district. We need to remember and help those around us remember that no
favoritism is being shown for any area of the district over another. The board
of education is committed to providing a high quality education for all children
in the district; responsiveness to and communication with its various
communities is also a high priority. With improved educational services for
children and a desire to better communicate as common goals of both Granite
District patrons and the Granite District board, misperceptions and potentially
divisive issues can surely be resolved for the benefit of all.
Asked at Skyline High School community meeting, January 16,
2008
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Impact on programs
New districts (in the event of a division, both districts are “new” districts)
do not receive an infusion of new resources. The revenue, largely based on
student enrollment, is the same as prior to a division but would need to go
further because of necessary duplications. For example, the law requires that
each district have a superintendent and a business administrator. As a practical
matter, districts also need central staffs to coordinate transportation, school
lunch, facility maintenance, technology, special education, career and technical
education, curriculum and instruction, human resources, payroll, accounting, and
so on. The functions would all need to be provided although, depending on the
size of new districts, some of the functions could possibly be provided by the
same individual.
In any event, a negative net effect on student opportunities in both new
districts would be anticipated in the event of a district division. Studies
conducted on behalf of Holladay City, South Salt Lake City, and Salt Lake County
did not address or plan for this eventuality.
Asked at Taylorsville High School community meeting, January
22,
2008
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