Nebo to vote on bond

SPANISH FORK — Families supply students, but unfortunately they don't provide enough tax dollars to educate them.

That is why the Nebo School District is asking patrons to approve a $140 million bond on Feb. 3. Superintendent Carl Nielson cited Nebo's large class sizes — the highest in Utah secondary schools — and limited space as he described the district's need during a public information meeting Wednesday night.

The bond measure would fund construction of 10 schools, which would include seven elementary schools, a junior high school and two high schools.

Under the proposal, the district would also revamp its grade configuration, eliminating middle schools from the mix. Some existing buildings will be modified to handle changes in elementary and junior high schools.

"This is the largest construction project we've ever done," Nielson said.

If residents approve the bond, construction for all 10 schools should be completed by 2010.

In addition to the bond, the school board is also asking residents to approve a voted leeway, or property tax increase, to fund the operating costs.

Currently the school reaps a tax rate of 0.0010 from every property. The district wants to increase the amount by 0.0006. If the leeway is approved, a resident with a $100,000 house would pay about $33 a year toward the leeway. The same house would incur $22 yearly to pay for the bond.

If the bonds are approved, residents would not see the tax increase immediately. Nielson said the district will only sell bonds as they build buildings, which means property taxes will increase gradually.

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E-mail: jburke@desnews.com