Negotiations continue between Logan and Cache County School Districts over changing property boundaries. Superintendent Steven Norton reported to the school board Thursday evening that Logan missed the opportunity to use state law to move land into the district when Logan city annexed properties. The law only applies before municipal annexation.

Although the law is no longer part of the discussion, it is still “the right thing to do” in Norton’s opinion to consider all requests carefully. There are two issues governing the discussion — students and property taxes.

In areas where new houses and apartments are constructed the districts must decide whether Logan or Cache will best serve the incoming students. Norton said that “what’s best for the students” should underline the discussion. Distance to neighboring schools is likely the first factor for consideration in these discussions. For example, Logan is requesting a 20-acre residential development near 600 South and 1400 West be moved to the Logan District. The land is likely closer to the Logan schools than the comparable Cache schools.

Property taxes are at issue with the request by Logan to move the Riverwoods development (near River Heights). Commercial development means increased revenue for the district. Although apartments are under construction at Riverwoods these are characterized as luxury apartments and are less likely to house many students. To switch from Cache to Logan districts will means lost revenue for one and increased revenue for the other without having an appreciable increase of students.

The largest property in question is the 100 plus acres annexed by Logan surrounding the Airport. There are plans for many housing and commercial developments in the area. The area is so large that Norton is recommending the district consider only parcels inside of the area where housing will be constructed to possibly switch to the Logan District.

It’s clear there will be ongoing discussions between the districts until an agreement can be hammered out.

2005

Norton pointed to a similar situation between the two districts in 2005. After an agreement was reached, Norton sent a letter outlining the district’s policy for future discussions:

The decision by Logan City to annex certain parcels of real property was based upon business decisions of the city. The criteria for these annexations were derived from municipal objectives, not educational objectives. The majority of the annexations in question was commercial or undeveloped properties and hence did not involve residents for whom educations services would be in question. However, in both recent annexations and future annexations, it is the position of the Cache County School Board that property annexed by Logan City will not change the existing delivery of educational services. In other words, for residents whose property is annexed by Logan City the Cache County School District will continue to provide the same educational services as it did prior to the annexation.

The Cache County School District has carefully reviewed Utah Code [53A-2-104] which is the controlling statute in this matter. It is clear from both the legislative history and the language of the statute that annexations by city school districts do not result in a change of district boundaries unless there is agreement by the surrounding school district to such a change in school district boundaries. The Cache County School District cannot envision either educational or business reasons to adjust it’s school district boundaries in response to annexations by Logan City.

Internet broadcasting board meetings

The school board agreed to broadcast future board meetings online. The system is accessible through the Board of Education page on the Cache County School District website. Dale Hansen, district business administrator, said they are under a lot of pressure to be more transparent. “This is a good step onward to let the public have complete access,” said Hansen.

Board president, Jon Jenkins, asked how long the videos will be archived in the new system. Hansen said they should stay online indefinitely.

Skills assessment

The board passed an update to the graduation requirements. Mike Liechty, deputy superintendent, said the main change is dropping the requirement to take the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test. Liechty said the UBSCT will be gone for at least two years. At the same time, the state is moving to using the ACT instead. In the past, students wishing to take the ACT had to pay a fee. This year the ACT will be offered to every 11th grader who wants to take it without a fee.

Liechty thinks it’s unlikely the UBSCT will return.

Cancelled board meeting

The school board cancelled the next study session planned for October 7. A study session will be held before the regular board meeting on October 21.