Snowflake School Board Approves Increase For Adjacent Ways Fund

By Naomi Hatch
   In order to increase the Snowflake School District’s adjacent ways fund by $120,000, an increase in taxes was approved by the school board July 15. Though required to be billed as an increase, it is basically the same tax imposed the previous year for the same purpose.
   A public notice of tax increase noted that, “the amount proposed will cause Snowflake Unified School District’s primary property taxes on a $100,000 home to increase by $16.50.”
   Superintendent Monte Silk explained that by law, the district is required to obtain board approval for the tax increase necessary to increase the adjacent ways fund balance.
   John Newsom spoke during the call to the public, noting that he had read the Truth in Taxation notice in the newspaper. He said, “I’m not contending that the expenditures of the monies is not necessary or any-thing like that, I just wanted to express concern on people within the school district that this will impact drastically.” He gave the example of elderly citizens who are on fixed incomes. Newsom volunteers at the Silver Creek Senior Center and has talked to citizens who share his concerns.
   Newsom said, “I’m sure you’ve thought of other ways for financing this building project. I realize it’s important but just think about the impact, particularly on the elderly and the low income.”
   “The concern of this gentleman is very valid,” said Silk. “We know any time we have any kind of tax it affects some people adversely.” The superintendent noted, though, that this is not something new, they have let the public know every year.
   In answer to a question posed by Vice President Shea Flake, Business Manager Mark Ollerton ex-plained, “The budget spending capacity is increased by the number of students we have. It’s not driven by the tax rate. The capacity set by the state pretty much sets our limits and the amount we should tax for in order to cover our budget.”
   Board member Cameron Peterson said, “I had the same concern. We’re raising taxes and I don’t want that to happen, but again the growth in our district… I just wanted to let you know I’m sure all of us have taken it very seriously and the impact of it. We see it as very necessary for our students.”
   The total amount of the adjacent ways fund with approval of the tax increase would be approximately $450,000. The increase was sought to provide funding for ingress and egress to and from district property. Sidewalks, parent and bus dropoffs, and drainage expenses are a few examples of how this money will be spent.
   With approval, the facilities team will create the prioritized list from which this money will actually be spent, explained Silk.
   Ollerton said that last year the tax was between 15 cents and 18 cents. This year it will be 16.5 cents.
   The board unanimously approved the tax increase for adjacent ways funding.
   In other action July 15, the board:
   * Unanimously approved the proposed 2008-09 budget as presented by Ollerton at the June 26 board meeting. The summary of the budget was published 10 days prior to the meeting. The proposed budget allocations are $13,587,783 for maintenance and operations; $1,501,882, classroom site; $812,799, unrestricted capital outlay; and $56,674, soft capital.
   * Approved the 60-day display of math textbooks at the district office.
   * Heard the first reading of an amendment to the Sick Bank Policy.
   The policy was recently changed so that all employees earn leave at the rate of one day per month rather than getting all 10 days up front. The previous policy stated that an employee who earned leave after using sick bank days was required to give any days earned during that year back to the bank. Silk recommended that once all personal and sick leave is used, and an employee then receives leave from the Sick Leave Bank. The employee does not have to pay back any days earned following use of the days obtained from the Sick Leave Bank. Silk said that this would be a benefit to all employees who choose to be members of the Sick Leave Bank and may actually increase the membership in the Sick Leave Bank.
   * Unanimously approved the addition of a Finance Specialist II position in the business office.
   Due to the resignation of John Stewart, a part-time materials coordinator in the district, who was unable to work 30 hours a week, Ollerton requested a new part-time finance position for the business office. He explained that the materials coordinator responsibilities have moved to the new warehouse coordinator position, and Ollerton will reassign responsibilities in his office to carry out all the financial duties required by the state.
   * Tabled action on the Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) intergovernmental agreement until the August board meeting.
   * Tabled action on the vision service contract because no bids had been received.