School-funding issues headed for a vote

By Jessie Elder
Deseret Morning News
Published: Thursday, March 16, 2006 10:35 p.m. MST
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PROVO — Provo District's Board of Education has opted to pursue voter approval on two public-financing packages that would funnel money to schools.

The board adopted two formal resolutions for the proposals— a requirement that puts into motion a plan to ask voters in June to approve a $35 million bond issuance and a $1.5 million increase to the voted leeway property tax.

Under the board's plan, the money would be used to build and repair schools, as well as provide salary increases for the city's educators.

If the majority of voters cast ballots in favor of the proposals, property taxes on a $100,000 house would increase $70 over a three-year period.

In the first year, taxes on such a house would go up $22. The next year, according to district leaders, homeowners would see a $17 hike. Then, in the final year of the phase-in, taxes on the same house would go up $31.

At a meeting Tuesday, Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, said he was surprised the board would want to put a bond and leeway on the ballot in a time of financial growth.

Also, most voters participate in November elections, he said. The senator wondered why the board wants a June bond election when the majority of Provo residents aren't planning on heading to the polls for an election issue.

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Board members said the bond proposal would have been on the ballot last November if it could have been prepared in time. Waiting until the end of this year would delay for too long the board's plans for the district.

Richard Vance, a neighborhood activist in the Lakeview South neighborhood, said he didn't think Bramble completely understood the needs of his neighborhood or district high schools.

Although many teachers, administrators and parents in the district said they were grateful for and supported the bond, many are concerned with what they say are the resolutions' vague wording.

Some wanted specific amounts for specific projects listed in the resolutions.

The board resisted that idea, saying that the documents can't be so specific that it would hinder the district down the road if inflation drive up costs.

As a result of the discussion, the proposal was modified to include the statement "Including but not limited to the replacement of the Timpanogos Elementary building and constructing of an elementary school in the Lakeview area," — a modification that pleased residents but also allows the board "wiggle room."

E-mail: jelder@desnews.com

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