And that is a costly endeavor.
A bond election June 27 (with early voting now under way) provides a sensible way for district taxpayers to fund the massive school construction needed to keep pace with growth in Davis County. The Davis Board of Education is asking voters to approve a $230 million bond to pay for more than 400 critical projects over five years. To maintain safe, comfortable and efficient places for children to learn, they should vote "yes."
It's important to note that approving the bond would not mean a property tax rate increase, as the new debt would kick in as old loans are paid off. Because the money will be borrowed incrementally, if growth slows or growth patterns change, some projects can be postponed or the overall plan can be altered. That gives the district sensible flexibility.
Residents of nearly every community in the county would see an improvement in the quality of classrooms their children attend. The plan includes six new elementary schools, one new junior high, additions to two junior highs and two elementaries and the purchase of sites for future schools.
Maintenance items include replacing roofs, rebuilding one elementary school, fixing parking lots, upgrading heating and air-conditioning systems, replacing water lines and improving school grounds.
Taxpayers may wonder why the district is seeking another bond so soon after they approved one for $190 million just four years ago. District officials point to unexpected growth and a rise in construction costs of 25 to 30 percent.
Davis district, with 62,349 students the nation's 62nd largest and Utah's third largest, is experiencing a boom that surprised even those who were already predicting hefty numbers. Four hundred new students were expected for the past school year; about 1,500 arrived.
Everyone is affected by their neighborhood schools. Run-down buildings that are too small for the student body make quality education more difficult and can be unsafe and a drag on the community. Davis voters should invest in the alternative - more and better schools.
