5 school districts propose bonds

Five school districts are asking voters to give the OK on bond projects totalling nearly $500 million. And most leaders are fairly certain their bonds issues will pass on June 27.

District officials say they are trying to stay ahead of exploding growth and aging buildings.

• Davis School District

Davis district, which will have a $230 million bond on the ballot is bursting at the seams on both ends of the county.

The bond would allow for six new elementary schools, a rebuild of Wasatch Elementary and one new junior high. It would also help with the continued construction on the high school in Syracuse and would not raise the current tax rate.

Davis spokesman Chris Williams said enrollment numbers are rising quickly. Last year the district expected growth between 400 and 500 students. But they ended up having to make room for about 1,500 districtwide.

Dan Jones and Associates ran a survey earlier this year to gauge residents' approval. In February 78 percent of those polled supported the proposal.

"I think there's great support, I just hope that individuals aren't relying on their neighbors to express their view, thinking the bond will pass," Bowles said. "We want everyone to go to the polls because it's their right and duty as citizens."

• Provo School District

Leaders in Provo want to build two new elementary schools, remodel Provo High School and make seismic upgrades at other schools if residents approve $35 million in bonds and an increase of the voted leeway that would generate $1.5 million.

Timpanogos Elementary would be rebuilt on its current site in 2007 and a new school in the Lakeview neighborhood would be ready for occupation by 2009 or earlier.

District chiefs say they'll spend new leeway money on employee salaries and benefits — $400,000 on salaries and benefits of staff at the new Lakeview elementary school, $800,000 to increase overall teacher salaries and benefits districtwide, and $300,000 to hire new teachers to reduce class sizes.

• Tooele School District

High birth rates and a steady influx of businesses and residents has also left Tooele School District scrambling to make room as school population expands more than 6 percent each year. Five schools are currently using portables. Their bond would cover both a new high school in Stansbury Park and an elementary school.