Five years ago, the Nebo School District won voter approval for $140 million in bonds to make room for more students.

On Tuesday in a special election, the district is asking permission to borrow $160 million more. It says it needs even more room for a student population that increases by nearly 1,000 children a year.

"The students are still coming in spite of the economic situation," said Rick Nielsen, assistant superintendent. "People are not keeping their kids home because of the economy."

The request is for the bond plus a higher tax rate, known as a leeway, to cover staff salaries and building maintenance. It has the endorsement of southern Utah County mayors.

But the Utah Taxpayers Association and at least one resident believe the bond should be voted down.

"There is a serious question about whether a recession is the best time to have a bond that raises taxes," said M. Royce Van Tassell, association vice president.

His group also believes the district should have had the bond election in November, when more people were going to the polls. And it doesn't like the fact that the district is providing only seven polling places.

The district is seeking to borrow up to $160 million to add on to Taylor Elementary in Payson; build new elementary schools in Springville, Spanish Fork and Payson; and build two new junior highs, one each in Springville and Salem. The plan also calls for two additional elementary schools to be built later, where the district foresees even more growth.

Nielsen said the district needs the space to accommodate a student population that is expected to exceed 33,000 by 2014. The population is currently 27,592, with a gain of 700 children annually.

While a state-mandated notice on Tuesday's ballot declares that the bond would raise taxes by $302 per household, Nebo's Nielsen says that is not accurate. That statement, he said, assumes that the district has no other debt, there is no growth, the entire bond will be issued at once and paid off in 19 years.

While the district wants authorization to borrow $160 million, he said the district does not have to spend that much. And, he said, the district's natural growth, combined with lower interest rates, means the additional debt can be handled without increasing property taxes.

But the leeway is another matter. Nielsen said that will increase by one mil, or $13.75 for the owner of a $250,000 home.

Spanish Fork resident Le Jackson is not convinced that borrowing money is the solution. His idea: Go to a year-round schedule. This could open up space by staggering student shifts.

"They could free up an entire school," Jackson said.

But Nielsen said the district considered a year-round schedule -- along with bringing in more portable trailers and increasing class size -- and rejected the concept.

"Any other solution for handling student growth besides adding classrooms is a stopgap measure," Nielsen said.

The taxpayers association also has an issue with the timing of the bond vote.

Van Tassell said people aren't thinking about heading to the polls in June, and a low voter-turnout could work to the district's advantage.

"If the Nebo School District is confident that people won't view these buildings as proverbial 'Taj Mahals,' why not do [the bond election] in November? " Van Tassell asked.

Nielsen said state law allows the district to have a bond election either in November or June. By doing it in June, he said the district could start working on the schools in February, and avoid having to pay winter construction costs. It also means the schools can open a whole year earlier.

As for having the votes in seven polling places, Nielsen said it is more convenient to direct voters to a few strategically located polling places than to try to track 30 stations.

dmeyers@sltrib.com