• Truth-in-Taxation Hearing
        The Board of Education held its Truth-in-Taxation Hearing which provided an opportunity for the public to provide input on a proposed tax increase. Nearly 1,000 taxpayers attended the hearing and 200 individuals addressed the Board. The Board postponed its decision on the tax increase and will discuss it further on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at Riverton High School.
        Superintendent Barry L. Newbold provided an overview of the tax increase rationale. The rate represents a $142.18 increase a year per $100,000 of market value.
        For the 2009-10 school year, the District will experience a $33-million deficit:
  
• State funding reduction: $15 million
  
• District-split impact: $8 million
  
• Assessed valuation drop: $5 million
  
• Other major budget changes: $5 million
•      The Board is making up the shortfall with $8 million in savings by laying off 131 support staff and 34 administrators; $19 million by increasing taxes; and using $6 million from its fund balance.
  
•      The majority of patrons opposed the tax increase. The following solutions were offered in lieu of the tax increase:
  
• The Utah Taxpayers Association asked the Board to consider moving to a trimester system.
  
• Cut administrators’ salaries.
  
• Cut three to five school days.
  
• Impose a head tax.
  
• Raise class sizes.
  
• Eliminate the Board of Education salaries.
  
• Do not pay teachers for preparation days.
  
• Corporate sponsorships.
  
• Partner with cities to find ways to reduce costs.
  
• Cut travel for administrators and Board members.
  
• Use a portion of the $60 million set aside for GASB funds (retiree benefits) to cover this year’s deficit.
  
• Ask for legislation requiring statewide equalization in education funding.
  
• Consider a four-day week.
  
• Don’t assess the capital outlay tax.
  
• Parents should consider permitting their students to the Canyons District where the money is.
  
• Establish a District budget committee comprised of patrons to serve as advisory committee.
  
• Use more of the fund balance.
  
• Place all schools on year-round schedules.
  
• Put students on double sessions.
  
• Involve more volunteers in the schools.
  
• Eliminate community education classes.
  
• Consider a one-year tax increase.
  
• Postpone the decision a month and discuss more options.

•      Patrons also commented on the financial impact of the District split and their concerns with the tax increase:
• "It’s so easy to raise taxes. We have to take a serious look at how we educate students. I will work diligently to get you voted out of office if you vote for this tax increase."
  
• "I support a moderate tax increase but ask that you look at other options."
• "I feel it a privilege to support the public education system. Eliminate anything you can so the tax increase is not 40 percent."
  
• "It would be highly irresponsible to consider a tax increase in these difficult economic times. The more we get, the more we spend. Taxes are the easy way out. We elected you to represent us."
• "The accountability for this problem lies with the Legislature who allowed the District split to occur."

• "The Dan Jones survey only included 400 people. You have to get back to grassroots."
  
• "We need to redirect our hostility toward Sen. Carlene Walker, Rep. Greg Curtis and all the east-side legislators and mayors. I suggest all west-side citizens boycott purchasing anything in these east-side cities. Spend your money on the west side."
• "I have no children yet and want to be a stay-home mom, but if my taxes go up, that will never be an option."
• "The public needs to be more involved in public education issues. It needs to translate to our city, state and national issues. Only 3,000 people in South Jordan voted in the last election. This is a symptom of the lack of citizen involvement."
• "We did not create the split or the recession. The east-side formed a powerful coalition. Where were our representatives on the west side? This is an issue now that will only get bigger in the years to come. We need to form a citizens’ lobby and send a message to the Legislature."
• "It’s un-American to raise taxes this much in one year.  My house belongs to me. It does not belong to the county or the city. I will work hard to get you unelected if you pass this tax increase tonight."
• "While you are announcing a tax increase, the Canyons District has announced they will not increase property taxes at all. In a just world, the Canyons should be paying for this tax increase. It’s reckless and dangerously irresponsible for this community. By voting for a tax hike, you are voting for your own future layoffs."
• "Where were all of you when the District was being split? There are people today who still don’t know the District has split. If your Legislator voted for the District split legislation, vote them out."
• "As a small business owner, my property taxes will go up 65 percent. It’s illogical and not reasonable. My taxes would have gone down if we never split."
• "I think we are all missing the real crux of the problem. We need statewide equalization. Every child in Utah should have an equal opportunity for an equal education."
• "Increase our taxes by only what we need for this year, and not a penny more."
• "Most of what happened during the District split, has nothing to do with this Board. Board members are citizens like us and their taxes will go up just like ours. Your hostility needs to be directed at the Legislature. Hold them accountable, especially our west-side legislators who voted for this District split."
• "I’m willing to pay the increase because I want to continue have good teachers for my children."
• "I want this to be about children. We cannot cut services that will hurt children."
• "This whole school split is a travesty. It was disguised by saying it was for the children. It has always been about the money."
• "I use to worry about the banks stealing my home. Now I’m wondering when you are going to take it from me."
• "I wish that you would have had this kind of support for the District split. Unfortunately, that is in the past. Too frequently we have not showed up. It may be too little too late."
• "I have four kids in the District. I am proud to say they are getting a great education in Jordan School District. Put the motion on hold for one month.  I would personally give my time and help you budget the money. I will help you find the money.”

• Board Comments
• Carmen Freeman asked Board members to defer their decision so they can discuss all the comments from tonight.
  
• Leah Voorhies thanked those who addressed the Board and encouraged the Board to postpone its decision.
  
• J. Dale Christensen said the Board does not take this financial challenge lightly. He expressed appreciation for the public’s suggestions and said the Board has already considered many of them. "Our goal is to maintain our class sizes so we can provide the best education possible for students. I was elected to represent not only the constituents of my District but also the children. Public education is expensive. I also know that public education is an investment in our future."He said he was disappointed at the direction of the comments tonight because they did not focus on children.
  
• Peggy Jo Kennett said the District’s financial challenges are not of the Board’s making and wishes more patrons had talked to their legislators. She reminded the public that teachers’ professional development days were cut by the Legislature. "We have great schools and great students. If we cut salaries, our teachers and administrators will look elsewhere and we will not be able to provide the quality services we are known for."

– Melinda Colton, Director of Communications