Riverton City - Elections

Election Results

School Voucher Bill: Failed
Jordan School District Split: Passed
Riverton City District 1: Roy Tingey
Riverton City District 2: Karma Bentson
Riverton City District 5: Randy Brinkerhoff (Galen Mills was the initial declared winner by 3 votes. The final count put Randy ahead by 11 votes).

Jordan School District Split
Despite having the highest graduation rate in the nation of any district its size (South Valley Journal) and being one of the country's most financially efficient school districts (SL Tribune), east side cities have voted to split the district. The attraction is the potential of lower taxes by shifting the tax burden to other cities, such as Riverton.

Even though west side citizens are affected, they (including Riverton voters) were excluded from the voting process. The vote narrowly passed on November 6th. The split will be effective July 2009.

At risk are special programs, such as the prestigious International Baccalaureate program, which allows High School students to gain college credits, and special technology programs.  New districts need to work together to keep these important programs available.

The cost to split will cost $144 million in start-up costs alone.  Citizens that believed  taxes will be reduced are not taking into account that the legislature is likely to equalize taxes among all Salt Lake county schools -- and likely all Utah schools.