From Deseret News archives:
Alpine schools worried about tax-hike 'fatigue'
"That's a concern to us," Superintendent Vern Henshaw told the Deseret Morning News' editorial board Wednesday about the district being hurt by three tax hike proposals on the same ballot. "That's possible" that it won't pass.
The school district is asking the voters to increase the voted leeway property tax levy to generate an extra $4.6 million and permit the issuance of $230 million in bonds both of which would increase property taxes by $57.86 after four years on a $200,000 house. In addition, the Utah Transit Authority is asking voters to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase to raise money for commuter rail between Provo and the Salt Lake County line.
Despite the UTA tax proposal, Henshaw said the school district could not postpone a bond election because of the urgent need to build new schools.
As of Oct. 1, the district enrolled 56,215 students. It projects 64,750 students by 2010.
Other schools throughout the district will be remodeled and receive additions to eliminate portable classrooms with bond money.
The extra money from the leeway would be used to pay salaries and utilities at the new schools. Some of the leeway money will also be used for professional development, Henshaw said.
"We're planning to build for growth that is here and growth that will come," Henshaw said.
If enrollment does not increase as projected, the district will slow down its building schedule, business administrator Rob Smith said.
In June, five Utah school districts sought voter approval for bond issuances and voted leeway increases. All measures passed except the leeway increase in Washington County, Alpine Board of Education President JoDee Sundberg noted.
With that precedent, Sundberg is confident the Alpine bond will pass.
"We feel the climate is good," she said. "People see the need."
E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com
Comments
- Soccer MVPs know how to win 1:56 a.m.
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009 1:56 a.m.
- High school soccer: Past MVPs 1:37 a.m.
- Senators want food tax restored 1:27 a.m.
- Utah women lag in higher education 1:16 a.m.
- Hatch empathizes with Muslims 1:14 a.m.
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP 1:13 a.m.
- Mitchell seeks to block witnesses 1:12 a.m.
- Party insiders may take on Bennett 1:11 a.m.
- Input sought on nondiscrimination 1:11 a.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- House passes health care bill
228 - TCU showdown has big implications
183 - Lobo suspended
182 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
118 - Thousands protest health bill
114 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
97 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...
I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...
hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...
play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...
I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...
That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...
I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...
I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...
BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...
i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!


You can be the first to comment on this story.