New tax money would be used to help cut student-teacher ratio

PROVO — Provo school chiefs say they will push more money toward reducing the student-teacher ratio in classrooms if residents approve a tax increase to benefit schools.

Residents will be asked on June 27 to approve a increase to the voted leeway that will provide $1.5 million more to the district each year.

Of that, says Superintendent Randy Merrill, $300,000 would go toward hiring extra teachers.

"That's what we're proposing," Merrill said. "They are just rounded numbers. What we're saying is, 'Of this leeway money, we're trying to commit to kids.' "

That money, however, only materializes if the leeway-increase proposal curries favor with voters.

Previously, city school leaders said they would have used that $300,000 — pending voter approval — to pay increased energy costs.

"We'll just have to budget for (energy)," Merrill said.

Merrill said parents and residents have sent a clear signal that money earned from the leeway increase should be used to directly help children.

The teacher-student ratio is nearly 28 in Provo's high schools, according to the Utah State Office of Education. Merrill disputes that number, saying it's closer to 26. The state doesn't factor in librarians, counselors and other staff when computing the ratio, he said.

Board of Education Vice President Sandy Packard recently said that in reality class sizes are about 32 students for every teacher.

Timpview High School is on probationary status with an accrediting body because some teachers exceed 160 students for a seven-period schedule.

That number is recommended by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. Timpview administrators are considering a block schedule for future years, which would increase teaching loads to eight classes and push even more teachers over the recommended 180 students for block schedules.

Parent Kristine Manwaring hopes people will vote for the leeway increase, which will be paired on the ballot with a $35 million bond issuance proposal for new schools and expansions and improvements on current schools.

In addition to $300,000 to adjust the teacher-student ratio, $800,000 of the leeway would go toward faculty salaries and benefits. If passed, $400,000 would be used for staff salaries at a new elementary school proposed in west Provo.

If the bond and leeway proposals are approved, taxes on a $100,000 house would be $65 over a three-year period.

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E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com