Parents, educators and kids relived Wednesday evening the drama of a decision made two years ago to split the Jordan and Canyons school districts.

And once again the Jordan School District got news it didn't want to hear: Canyons will not be required to send $15 million in property tax revenue to Jordan. The House Education Committee shot down HB292, a bill that would have brought property tax revenues per student in each district back to equal levels by redistributing money. The vote of 11-3 went in many cases along geographic lines. The bill would also have applied to splitting districts in the future.

Bill sponsor Rep. Jim Bird, R-West Jordan, called the outcome of the hearing a "travesty."

"I thought we would have the opportunity to take this to the floor and let the body decide," he said. "This is not an issue that's going to go away. This is an issue that's going to come back."

Meanwhile, Canyons officials praised the decision.

"We're pleased with the outcome, and we look forward to getting on with business and addressing the needs of Canyons," said David Doty, Canyons superintendent.

Doty and Jordan Superintendent Barry Newbold shook hands after the three-hour meeting dominated by debate between district administrators and parents.

Those hoping to speak showed up two hours before the meeting to claim seats. Canyons parents wore stickers with a line drawn through the "HB292." When committee Chairman Greg Hughes, R-Draper, asked those wishing to speak to form two lines, one for those supporting the bill and one for those opposing, each line was nearly 20 people long. Hughes warned the audience that public outbursts, such as clapping, booing and hollering at speakers would not be tolerated. While passionate, the standing-room-only crowd remained polite.

Administrators from both districts presented financial arguments. Jordan now collects only $1,136 in property revenue per student compared with $2,087 collected by Canyons, said Burke Jolley, Jordan deputy superintendent for business services. Canyons' business administrator Keith Bradford presented different figures, saying Jordan now collects $1,467 per student and Canyons gets $1,899, by taking into account other factors, such as the property tax money Canyons already sends to Jordan under a county-wide equalization law passed two years ago. Bradford told committee members that if HB292 were to pass, the revenue per student numbers would switch, with Jordan collecting about $330 more than Canyons.

Canyons parents and administrators also said they shouldn't have to give Jordan any more money, especially because they're already paying off 59 percent of a bond passed before the split. Canyons said only 3 percent of the money from that bond went to the east side. Jordan officials countered that east-siders knew what they were getting into when they voted to approve the bond before the split and that some projects were put off because of the economy.

Jordan parents, students and officials decried the financial impact of the split on Jordan, pointing to the board's recent decision to eliminate 500 jobs and increase class sizes.

"We were given no say in the split of the district, and we deserve a quality education just like every other student," said Jordan student Katelyn Whitaker.

In turn, Canyons pointed to its needs, such as serving some poor populations and aging school buildings, which many argued would collapse in a serious earthquake.

"Jordan residents are under the misconception that Canyons School District has no problems and has money to spare," said Canyons parent Wendy Barlow. "They are seriously misguided."

Largely, parents argued about the merits of the split in the first place.

"It may have been a legal thing to do, but it was not a moral thing to do," said Jordan parent Donna Froerer.

Canyons parents said Jordan might not be in this position if it hadn't ignored the east-side's needs.

"We fired the Jordan School District because they were not using our resources to benefit our children," said Canyons mom Nicolle Bangerter.

Bird said he doesn't plan to bring the bill back this session, but several lawmakers acknowledged that the issue of more equitably funding schools is one that's sure to return.

"I'll make sure it comes back as long as I'm in office until we can get some type of statewide equalization," said Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman.

Several lawmakers tried unsuccessfully to pass statewide equalization bills last session and at least two introduced this year have yet to be heard in committee.

Newbold said that with the death of HB292, the Jordan Board continues to have some tough decisions to make.

As words flew at the hearing, small groups of teachers held signs and gave out fliers to parents arriving for conferences at middle and high schools around the district as part of informational rallies.

Most Jordan teachers, and the Jordan Education Association, are asking the Board of Education to raise taxes rather than cut 500 district jobs, 250 of them teachers.

Bingham High School Senior Austin Clift braved the cold with a sign, even though he will not be a student in the district next year. He said he's already feeling the impact of the dispute through teachers pledging to work no more than their contract hours.

Newbold said the board will likely wait until after the Legislature makes statewide education budget decisions before deciding whether it can find another way to deal with the $30 million shortfall.