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Provo’s School Bond Vote

Click to see original imageProvo School District will hold a special election Tuesday to seek voter approval of a $12 million bond issue to finance a building program, That leaves less than a week for the district to finish its task of acquainting the public with the proposal…and for the citizens who haven’t made up their minds to analyze, ask questions, get informed, and prepare to vote their convictions. With no organized opposition to date, there has been little public discussion and debate except in school and PTA groups. As with many special elections, a light turnout is likely at the po ls; (‘Nenty percent of the voters made the decision earlier this month when the Alpine District voted at $15 million bond issue and that vote was considerably heavier than a number of elections on record.) Assumingb the school board proposed uilding program is needed, the Philosoghy of borrowing at a avora le rate and gnoceeding now to minimize the ation impact seems to have merit. We are told money is available at around 5 percent interest, while inflation is projected at B peroent. An example of inflation’: inroads was seen in the new Timpview High School, as skyrocketing costs consumed a big slice of the allocation in the interim before construction so that the full planned building could not be erected at that time, lnTuesday’s election, the school board seeks the go-ahead to sell $12 million in bonds over the next five years. However, with present bonded indebtedness at $8,945,000 against the legal limit of $15262,468, the present bonding capacity is only $6,317,468, School officials explain that present outstanding bonds are being retired at the rate of about $1.5 million per year, which would raise the bonding capacity to the $12 million four or five years hence. With this in mind, the top priority projects – an addition to Sunset View School, completion of Timpview High, and a new northwest elementary school would begin at once if the voters say yes, Other projects (which have been listed in news stories) would wait until bonding eligibility expands. Some questions are being asked by citizens – on whether serious study should be given year-around school to reduce building needs ; on advisahility of further indebtedness, on the high cost of school operations, etc. These all merit public discussion and thought on a continuing basis, not just in the wee’k of a bond election. Meantime ther-e’s a question on the ballot voters must face up to Tuesday. In our own view, based on the needs and projections presented by school eaders, the bonding gloposal merits public support. ovo is growing. Population is about 65,000 and going up. Schools need to keep pace. .. School officials have said no increaslee in tax levy for debt service wi necessary to repay the bonds. We would like to see them broaden their assurance to the voters – that building costs will be smiled to necessity, with old as well as new buildings used to maximum efficiency, and full dollar value assured the taxpayers in all phases of the program. So They Soy “Four years ago I said it was time for a new spirit. Now I say there’s no substitute for experience.” Eagfov. Edmuliid Ggirgewn Jr., of orma, w o wi ruru-ling for his second term this year. “I am appalled by the suffering these poor tribals have been going through for many years…there are any number of diseases.Cataract and goiter…one out of five women suffer from cervical mnoer.” – Dr.lMandakihi1i Purgndarke, a gyneooogist, w , wi a rge medical team, went to tribal communities in India.