SOUTH JORDAN, Utah -- After days, weeks, and months of debate, South Jordan City will not split from the Jordan School District.
The city voted Wednesday night to approve an interlocal agreement established between the school board and cities that comprise the school district. This means the city council will not be pushing to get the possible split on November's ballot.
Part of that decision came after learning the findings of a three-month long feasibility study, which determined that a split would mean an increase in taxes for South Jordan residents while reducing the amount spent per student.
The majority of the residents who attended the meeting agreed with the city council and the interlocal agreement.
One resident said: "When there's threatening talk about butchering these educational programs, that leaves a different impression for people within our community and within our schools and outside our community and outside of our schools. They don't see all the good that's happening, and it detracts from the good work that is trying to go forward."
There were a handful of residents, however, who say the interlocal agreement was brokered behind closed doors and expressed the importance of letting the residents decide by voting in November.
One resident said: "The issues here are not just financial. A 6 percent increase or less may be worth it if we can get our schools back on a traditional schedule, enrich our curriculum, respond more quickly to an evolving educational landscape that demands new tactics."
Another adds, "If you split, we're gonna have a better school district, because you'll have local control."
The interlocal agreement will be in effect for one year. After that, the council can reassess the issue.
