In the News
Last week, KSL reported that the newly formed Timpanogas School District was considering performing a study to look at the possible consolidation and closure of some of the schools in the district. This week, an article by Deseret News described a “baby bust” from 2008 and how the decline in fertility rate could affect schools, employers, and retirees.
Here’s My Take
While those born nearer to 2008 would be college-aged now, the sustained decline in fertility rate has only recently started to affect the population of K-12 students in Utah. Even though the fertility rate in Utah is still above the national average, that doesn’t mean we’re immune to the drop. When the skyrocketing cost of housing is added, especially compared to pre-pandemic values, it’s no wonder the number of students entering public schools is dropping. The price of housing has basically doubled in the last ten years and tripled since 2000.
If school districts are concerned about consolidations and closures, they would be better off pressuring their local communities to make it easier to start and raise a family. Libertas has produced many proposals, some of which have been adopted at the state level, but many municipalities still haven’t enacted them. Unless more residences are added, the current residents will continue to be required to pay higher taxes to cover the ever-increasing costs of government services.
