School Bond Passage Signals Investment in Future
Published Apr 16, 2005
A strong public school system means more than just a strong work force – it also means higher property values. So it’s not surprising that when asked to approve a $323.8 million bond issue last November, Jefferson County residents answered with a resounding “yes!”
“We were amazed by the margin of victory,” says Jefferson County Schools Chief Operating Officer Ken Hoover. The schools sytems is the state’s largest school district with more than 87,000 students. “I think it shows just how much people value quality schools; they understand that our schools are an investment.”
Hoover says the bond issue will be used to fund additions and repairs in nine area high schools, as well as replacing a middle school and building a new elementary school.
“For many years, the community was growing so rapidly that the focus had to be on building new facilities,” he says. “Now that growth has leveled off a bit, and we can work on upgrading and renovating what we already have in place.”
Voters also approved a $38.5 million tax increase for day-to-day operating expenses, designed to offset lagging revenues and dwindling enrollment.
“The population in Jefferson County is aging, and our enrollment mirrors those demographics,” Hoover says. “In addition, state funding does not take into account certain expenses such as elevated gas prices, etc. The bottom line is that our costs are going up faster than our increase in revenues, and that puts a lot of pressure on the budget. We see the public schools as a real partnership, and have been very specific in outlining our needs to the public. By passing these tax measures, local voters have ensured that we will be able to maintain the high level of programs they’ve come to expect for their families.”
Story by Amy Stumpfl
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