Voters Tuesday overwhelmingly gave the go-ahead for the Murray, Nebo and Weber school districts to borrow tens of millions of dollars -- and raise taxes -- to build new schools and repair old ones.
Voters in all three districts supported the school proposals by at least a two-thirds majority."We are thrilled and delighted at the support from our community," Murray Superintendent Richard Tranter said through spokeswoman Julie Woodward. "(A new high school) will be a huge educational plus for our students and a great addition to our community."
Murray voters, by a 77 percent majority, OK'd a $29.5 million bond to rebuild the district's sole high school. The bond brings a $65 increase in annual property taxes on a $100,000 house.
About 13 percent of the city's 7,230 registered voters cast ballots, which is considered good for a special election, said Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen.
The new Murray High will be built on its existing campus, closer to State Street. Construction on the proposed two- to three-story building is scheduled to begin in April 2001 and last just over three years. Classes will continue as usual.
Parts of the school are some 50 years old and do not meet today's building codes. The gym, the newest addition, was built 20 years ago and will not be rebuilt. The district also is working with the city of Murray to build a swimming pool off campus.
Nebo School District Superintendent Carl Nielson breathed deep sighs of relief as the last ballots were counted at the south Utah County district's headquarters.
He wasn't disappointed in the response 14 percent of registered voters gave to a proposed $45 million general-obligation bond issuance and leeway increase: Some 74.2 percent embraced the bond issuance and 66.5 percent agreed to increasing the levy.
As a result, taxes will go up $75 on a home valued at $100,000.
"I did think it would be a significant majority because we hadn't seen any organized opposition," said Nielson. "I think people just looked around and saw the need."
The bond and leeway will pay for five new elementary schools, plus renovations at Santaquin, Mount Loafer and Barnett elementary schools. Several areas are being considered for new schools. Nebo's board wants to build new schools in southeast Spanish Fork, south Payson, west Springville, north Mapleton and east Springville and northeast Spanish Fork.
The money also would be used for more classrooms at Payson Middle School and Spanish Fork High School. A gymnasium at Spanish Fork can be constructed.
Funds also will go toward new schools, air-conditioning systems, playground resurfacing, painting, carpeting, outside lighting and remodeled bathrooms.
Residents in Weber County also gave the go-ahead to borrow $40 million to build two new elementaries and a junior high in high-growth areas and fix up school roofing, classrooms and ventilation systems. The bond passed by a 77 percent majority.
Voters also OK'd a property tax increase to cover costs of opening those schools by a two-thirds majority. Property tax on a $100,000 home will increase by just over $12 a year.
The bond won't translate into a tax hike because extra taxes gathered from a 1992 bond will cover the cost of the new one.
"We knew that we had community support for it and it's nice those people showed up and voted," said Weber district spokesman Nate Taggart. Voter turnout also was at the high end of expectations, as 13 percent of 52,588 registered voters cast ballots.
Weber County farmland is disappearing to subdivisions, and 22 of the district's 26 elementaries are overcrowded.
The new schools are aimed at relieving some of that crowding. One new elementary will be built in west Roy to ease enrollment in five area schools. District officials will decide later where to build the other one.
The junior high will be built in Harrisville.
You can reach Jennifer Toomer-Cook by e-mail at jtcook@desnews.com and Jeffrey P. Haney at jeffh@desnews.com