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Bond and Leeway Election
Seismic Information
The information for the seismic proposal was collected from data that Doug Christensen (BYU facilities) developed for the Provo School District Master Plan Committee. Three structural engineers from throughout the state of Utah volunteered to help prioritize schools for seismic assessment and geo-technical studies. Schools were prioritized according to age of the facility and information from the study. Those schools being replaced were not put on the list. Schools built within the last 10-15 years are not on the list, as they were built under building codes that required earthquake standards etc. Once the funding from the Bond is approved, a committee made up of district administration and certified structural engineers will determine the bid process for the study.
Presentation
What the Bond and Leeway will do for Provo City Schools
- Support neighborhood elementary schools across the city
- Strengthen neighborhoods and encourage families to live in Provo
- Remove portable classrooms
- Renew and properly maintain traditional schools
- Compensate teachers for their valuable work
- Fortify educational services and reduce class-size
- Sustain a long-term vision for education in Provo School District
Where We Were
In 2003, Provo School District had serious financial problems. With a history of deficit spending, a $5,000,000 non-voter approved debt to finance previous cost over-runs, dangerously low reserves, and unprecedented inflation in employee health care and post-retirement costs, the district was close to being unable to meet its financial commitments.
The new administration also noted the poor condition of several school buildings, lamented over the large number of portable classrooms that had become permanent fixtures at schools, and expressed concern over the need for an aggressive response to rapidly changing demographics and population shifts in Provo City.
While the need for an influx of new funding was called for, the administration and Board of Education chose to take several actions prior to approaching the public for financial support.
The Actions We Took
Through the establishment of prioritized goals, the administration and Board of Education balanced the district budget by taking the following actions:
- Adopted strong fiscal policies
- Cut ancillary programs not directly related to goals
- Changed medical insurance companies through an aggressive bid process
- Reduced district staff
- Started a disciplined pay-off of debt and
- Refinanced voter-approved debt, saving taxpayers over $1,500,000
- In addition, the Board involved the public in the planning process. Unprecedented patron input inspired the Provo School District Master Plan that defined a clear “public” vision of the district’s future, including the desire to:
- Maintain neighborhood elementary schools
- Develop a long-term plan to address school building maintenance
- Place more money in educational programs
- Strengthen teacher compensation and
- Demonstrate strong fiscal management
Next Steps: The Bond and Leeway
Provo School District has listened to public input. With strong fiscal policies in place, the Board of Education proposes a voter approved bond and leeway election to advance the Master Plan
The Board proposes the following bond projects:- Replace Timpanogos Elementary School
- Build Lakeview Elementary School
- Replace portables at Sunset View, Provost and Centennial
- Build an auditorium at Centennial
- Begin major remodeling at Provo High
- Expand the media center at Sunset View
- Upgrade heating and air conditioning at Canyon Crest, Westridge, Farrer, Grandview, Edgemont
- Replace old energy inefficient windows at Provost, Edgemont, Rock Canyon, Grandview, Wasatch, Sunset View
- Increased compensation for teachers
- Reduced class size in high schools
- Operational funds for schools and educational programs
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