The Anchorage School District outlined why it wants municipality voters to approve a $63,822,000 security and safety upgrade on the school bond proposal, Proposition 1, on the April ballot during the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce’s “Make It Monday” forum.
If passed, property taxpayers would have $12.90 added to each $100,000 assessed value to pay for upgrades at 40 schools and two support buildings. ASD Chief Operating Officer James Anderson told members that projects would include security systems, building entry improvements, infrastructure renovations and replacements, and upgrades to snow removal equipment.
Since many of ASD’s schools were constructed years ago, they need more funding than the maintenance budget allows. Anderson insisted on no more financing, even acknowledging that some individuals were against paying property taxes for the projects. According to him, the state used to cover between 60% and 70% of capital projects but ceased doing so in 2015.
“We need to maintain our facilities again, protect the staff and students, protect the facility and itself, and of course to provide the best educational outcomes we can for our students. And bonding is the one and only possibility to be able to raise those funds,” Anderson said.
Anchorage voters have not been fond of bond proposals in the past. A bond proposal in 2022 narrowly failed. The $31 million reconstruction of Inlet View Elementary School, which was controversial then, was part of the $111 million bond.
ASD officials hope voters recognize the importance of the school bond proposal for security and infrastructure improvements to maintain safe and functional school areas. A similar proposition for school improvements was approved last year, which saw an increase in the property tax levy of $12.69 per $100,000. This year’s increase of $12.90 would retire the proposed debt of $63.8 million.
This news article was originally published by Alaska´s News Source.
