Here's a change of pace: Some Alpine School District parents are asking district leaders to raise their taxes to help pay for school class-size reductions, not the other way around.
Tuesday night, Orem resident Richard Davis, who said he spoke on behalf of himself and more than a few other parents, asked board members to consider an election to raise the leeway levy portion of the district's property-tax rate. Under his proposal, the proceeds from tax money raised by the additional mill levy would go only to pay for reductions in school class size - such as hiring additional teachers.Alpine's student-to-teacher ratio is nearly 25 to 1 in the elementary grades. Davis said the district could raise the leeway levy by three mills, with voter approval - which would raise property taxes nearly $40 on a $100,000 home and bring in perhaps enough to money to allow Alpine to lower the ratio by three students.
"Alpine School District now has the third largest student-to-teacher ratio in the state that has the highest rate in the nation," Davis said. "The district has a serious problem with overcrowded classrooms, and we're willing to help you rectify those problems."
Davis cited studies that indicate students learn better in smaller classes, saying it is critical to give the younger students increased attention as they begin their education.
"You've got to have the ratio below 20 to 1 to make any real progress with these kids," he said. "Teachers have an easier time dealing with them and spending more time on an individual basis."
Despite Davis' confidence in parental support for the proposal, school board members said they weren't so sure, especially since the board has raised tax rates three times since 1992.
In 1992, voters simultaneously passed both a $30 million bond to build two new junior high schools and a 2-mill leeway increase. Just two years later, the district brought a $98 million bond proposal to the voters, which they also approved.
Also, district leaders admit they have been looking at ways to get more tax dollars into classrooms, but say they would also need to find more classroom space to accommodate new classes. Davis said there may be existing portable classrooms that could be moved or perhaps the district needs to build more portables.
Board members say they will continue to study Davis' proposal. No time frame has been set for further discussions, though.