Responding to public scrutiny, GCSD addressed the costs of educating San Juan County students and the sale of unused land that it had owned for decades; neither has been resolved.
Utah passed a law allowing GCSD to divert building funds for staff until June 30, 2012. This required an 11-hour effort and the message was “make the hard decisions and pass your leeway.”
GCSD chose the soonest time for another vote and a higher rate than November’s – one-third again higher than the state average-for the leeway rate.
Only after that rate decision – the most important financial decision of all – was a Community Financial Oversight Committee (FOC) created.
And only after it was too late to affect the vote was a committee formed to study the now-vacant Red Rock Elementary’s future.
GCSD now wants voters to allow a future tax increase but they don’t “plan” a tax increase for one year no matter the vote.
In support of a June vote, GCSD’s leeway flyer threatens layoffs if the leeway were to pass in November rather than June.
The FOC felt this is misleading because GCSD must choose after a leeway passed to lay off employees for six months instead of taking out a loan just like those taken in the past, but for no more than 30 percent of the most recent loan. With the help of FOC and/or property sales this loan could be minimized or eliminated.
Instead of promising not to raise taxes, GCSD can show it. The FOC should have input on a leeway rate, taking into account the outcome of the San Juan County negotiation, operating savings from new buildings, enrollment changes and inflows from Grand County Education Foundation.
Voters should know the outcome of litigation against the former auditors, the plans for Red Rock Elementary and Youth Garden Project properties before voting on a tax increase.
My two young kids are in the schools and I want the best for them. However, I also am a CPA and a member of the Community Financial Oversight Committee and speaking only for myself, I believe only after these important questions are answered should there be a vote.
That is why I asked the GCSD board before voting began to make its first hard decision and cancel this election, which I understand they could have the right to do until June 18.
If taxes really aren’t going to go up for a year no matter what, canceling the vote would be a way to unite this great community instead of polarizing it with this unnecessary vote.
—Tom Lacy
Moab