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SALT LAKE COUNTY -- The Canyons School District has found out it will need a lot of money to bring its buildings up to current standards. It won't be easy.
A new report says Canyons will need at least $647 million to bring schools up to code or even rebuild them. Canyons Business Administrator Keith Bradford says the buildings are not prepared for an earthquake. Many are not up to current standards for things like air conditioning or technology.
He says it's a problem that was inherited when voters created the new district.
"I think it goes to why a lot of people voted for the split," he said. "It's because of the concerns of the buildings on the east side and the lack of attention that they were getting. The big issues are getting the funding to give them the attention they need."
Bradford says many people think Canyons is full of rich people, but it's not.
"The old Jordan district had five title one schools. Four of those schools are now in the Canyons district," said Bradford.
Bradford says Canyons is still paying millions to the Jordan district for old bond debt that paid for new schools on the west side of the valley. It also is sending over equalization funding. He says that may make going for a new bond hard to do, but the buildings need work.
The Board of Education heard the report last Tuesday. It's expected to talk about the issue in coming meetings.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
