Lessons learned from the Jordan/Canyons Split

The Deseret News posted an insightful article into the process of dividing a large district. Some of the highlights:

Tracy Cowdell, a board member of Jordan School District at the time “initially voted against the Jordan/Canyons school district division. His ties to the Jordan School District run deep. His father worked for the storied district for 35 years. His wife was a former Jordan School District teacher.”

“Looking back, I realize I would vote differently regarding the division of the Jordan School District,” he wrote. “I was wrong. The Canyons School District has thrived and the Jordan District has continued to flourish. Both districts now have the ability to focus on more localized needs in ways a larger organization simply could not.” – Tracy Cowdell

Another board member at the time, Kim Horiuchi, “said helping to form the Canyons district ‘was the greatest accomplishment of my life.’ But it was rough at the time. There was resistance and litigation. ‘And there were people actively working to impede the process.’”

How did they make the process successful?

“First and foremost, we worked diligently to try and keep the focus on the students. There was a deliberate effort to never lose sight of that primary purpose — educating students.” – Kim Horiuchi

The article emphasizes the importance of hiring a new superintendents.

“The (new school boards) will have an opportunity to hire leaders with a vision that could bring new innovations and, ultimately, new ways of looking at education and how it’s administered across the state.” – Kim Horiuchi

They mention that having more time would be helpful, and the Alpine District division will have an additional year thanks to legislation changes since then.

“Cooperation is essential… it can’t be overstated”

“The success of the Alpine School District three-way division, he added, will ultimately depend upon the leadership in the three districts — including the school boards and the administrators.”