The Uintah School District will put before voters in November a $50 million bond proposal to replace two aging schools and retrofit nine others with fire sprinklers and other safety improvements. If the measure passes, school district officials say about $30 million would go to safety improvements in existing schools and about $20 million would be budgeted to replace Naples Elementary and Maeser Elementary. "The safety of the students is our No. 1 priority," said Larry Klein, human resources director. "We want sprinkler systems. Not only do they save the building but it saves the loss of life, and that's the main thing." The Uintah School Board voted to go forward with the bond election in early June, before a July 11 fire destroyed Wasatch Junior High School in the Granite School District. Uintah School District voters last approved a bond in 1986. Since then, two ballot proposals for voted leeways to increase school taxes have been turned down. But Uintah district officials hope voters will embrace November's bond because it is directed toward new school buildings and safety improvements, Klein said. "We think they will want the kids to be safe and have facilities as good as anyone in Utah." - Christopher Smart