Provoans will vote tomorrow on a School District proposal to increase the present voted leeway tax from 2.9 to 6 mills. If approved, the new arrangement will increase leeway tax revenues by about $375,000 based on a 50 per cent boost in assessed valuation under the current property reappraisal. School officials say the money is needed to operate the new Edgemont high school which opens in 1977; offset inflationary costs of supplies; assist with special quality programs, and bolster the district’s accrued balance. The election has drawn outside attention, with Govemor Rampton citing high quality of Provo education and urging support, and the Utah Taxpayers Association waming that with valuation increases and heavier tax burdens this is not the appropriate time for higher tax rates. Timing of the election is open to question. Citizens are being asked to vote a tax boost at a time when they are waiting to find out the extent of increased assessments and the extent of taxes by the various taxing units under the reappraisalg program. On the other hand, school board members – good citizens elected by the people who understand the schools’ financial plight say an emergency exists and they feel now is the time to take the problem to the voters. From the property owner’s standpoint, even without the new leeway tax, according to preliminary estimates, they’ll be paying considerably more than last year for school purposes over $400,000 more to the district’s capital outlay fund which officials say is needed for work contracted at the new high school; and some $735,000 more in the basic maintenance and operations fund. The latter, absorbed in the state – supported program, doesn’t- increase local maintenance and operating funds, but the property owners must pay the increased taxes, nevertheless. Possibly the school formula isn’t flexible enough in use of such funds. lt’s understandable that many voters are confused because school financing is complicated, with a state formula that doesn’t allowa great deal of flexibility at local level. The following questions (none of them new) are among those still being asked and might well be considered when school officials hold their forum for the public tonight at 7:30 at Provo High School: ls the leeway tax permanent? Why do only 12 of the 40 school districts have leeway funds? Under reappraisal, taxing units are to reduce mill levies as assessed valuation rises beyond a certain level. Provo District has pledged to cut its mill levy. By how much? As indicated, school revenues have been projected on the basis of a 50 per cent assessed valuation boost during reappraisal. County tax officials now estimate a higher figure up to 66 per cent. How will this affect the district’s’ revenue picture? With higher local assessments and taxes in the offing, “belt tightening” will be required of many taxpayers, What belt – tightening will be in order for the school district, win or lose Thursday, to eliminate deficit spending and continue basic quality education? It’s the lith hour now. Soon it will be time for decision. May voters go to the polls in large numbers so that the outcome may tnily reflect the wishes of the majority.