EV Issues Won’t Raise Tax Rate

As the superintendent of schools for the East Valley School District, I make every attempt to provide the board of directors recommendations which are student-centered and responsible to all patrons of this district.

The district believes when students, parents and staff are all working together it makes for an outsanding school district. Communities have for years recognized that a sound educational system makes for a stronger community.

I, along with the board of directors, have been concerned about the rapidly rising tax rate for our taxpayers who own property. As we ask our voters for support regarding the upcoming issues, I recommended to the board of directors that we maintain our present tax rate and we make every effort to reduce it.

The East Valley School District is asking for your support on two issues which will not increase our taxpayers’ tax rate. This was done with the help of citizens representing every school in our district and spending their time studying this issue since March 1995.

Passage of our $11.9 million bond issue would give us the means to repair, renovate and modernize our Trent Elementary School. It will allow us to add classrooms, remodel and improve our student service areas, playgrounds and parking for Mountain View Middle School, East Valley Middle School, Skyview and East Farms Elementary.

Meanwhile, passage of our maintenance and operations levy would replace the levy approved two years ago and would allow the district to continue with current programs not fully funded by the state.

These include student transportation, class size ratios, elementary school counselors, extracurricular programs, gifted remediation and special educational programs for students. Levy funds currently account for approximately 18 percent of our budget.

Both senior citizens (61 or older) and disabled citizens who earn less than $28,000 may qualify for an exemption from special levies. The county assessor’s office at 456-5754 can provide further details.

I urge our residents to review both issues and help support the programs for kids in the East Valley School District on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 1996.

MEMO: Chuck Stocker is superintendent of the East Valley School District.