Schools hold breath on property tax vote

Tuesday's election comes at an odd time of year.

But it could bring higher taxes or possible budget cuts and massive school boundary changes for people living in Granite and Jordan school districts.

Officials in those districts want to raise property taxes: In Jordan, to build and operate new schools; and in Granite, to help make ends meet.

But a watchdog group opposes the measures, noting high tax rates for Utahns who already pay more than the average American.

• Jordan School District, faced with a 15,000-student growth spurt through 2010, is seeking an unprecedented $281 million bond to build 13 elementaries, four middle schools and one high school in growing southwestern neighborhoods.

  The bond money, if approved by voters in the 74,000-student district, also would replace South Valley School and likely Valley High, add to the Jordan Applied Technology Center and build a new west-side Jordan Valley School campus.

  Construction would stretch through 2010.

  "If new schools are not built, the only way to handle the increase of students is to change most school boundaries, bus students from high-growth areas to under-enrolled schools, purchase additional portable classrooms and modify school schedules to year-round or double sessions," Superintendent Barry Newbold said.

  The bond alone wouldn't cost taxpayers anything. The district is retiring its debt from building bonds voters approved in 1997. It would leave the tax rate alone if this bond were to pass — or lower it if it fails.

  But the bond is tethered to a voted leeway proposal to cover costs of operating all those new buildings. That leeway, which would be phased in, would at most cost the owner of a $100,000 house $33 in extra annual property tax.

• Granite School District is seeking an increase in the voted leeway, mainly in response to the ongoing economic downturn that has cut its budgets by $7.7 million, increased class sizes and cut administrative, secretarial and teaching jobs.

  The proposed leeway increase would bring in $2.9 million, and add $11 to the annual property tax on a $100,000 house, or $17.60 to the annual property tax on a $160,000 house.