Teacher salaries and building updates: Park Hill has two tax increases on the ballot April 8
- Written by: macanroe
The Park Hill School District is asking voters to approve two separate tax increases that will allow it to pay teachers more and improve school buildings.
If approved by the majority of voters, Proposition G would raise the operating property tax rate, which the district says would support improved staff salaries and benefits.
Proposition O is a bond measure that would allow Park Hill to borrow $128 million for building projects and gradually pay the loan back using property taxes. To pass, it requires approval from four-sevenths of voters, about 57.1%.
Park Hill spokesperson Kelly Wachel said the district built several new schools as part of its last 10-year plan, but recent community feedback has been about the district’s older buildings.
“We’re no longer a growing-quickly district. Our enrollment has really flattened out,” she said. “So we wanted to turn the next 10-year focus to replacing and renovating aging facilities.”
Proposition O would launch that plan, including the first phase of replacing Park Hill High School, additions to several elementary schools and security improvements throughout the district.
Both propositions would increase property taxes. If both pass it would add $228 per year to the bill of someone with a home valued at $300,000.
