OCR Text |
Show DECEMBER 9, 1986 f r School district commercialism studied Editors Note: This is the third in a series of stories looking at the problems facing education, and educators. This story discusses the policies of the Davis School District regarding commercialism. By DONETA GAHERUM and TOM HARALDSEN Out ofthe mouth of babes... Our family was sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner. It was time for my annual recitation concerning the meaning of gratitude. Yes, we have a lot to be thankful for, I began. And this year we should be especially thankful for our Utah Attorney General, a man named David Wilkinson. My wife began choking on the cranberry sauce. My seven-yeold fidgeted in his seat. Now let me explain, dear family members, I intoned. Thanksgiving is more than the historical saga of the Pilgrims. Its more than the customary celebration of the American family. Thanksgiving is also a time to give thanks for the blessines of our lifestyle. And David Wilkinson, our attorney general, is very, very concerned about our lifestyle. Whenever you children return from school with homework papers, faded and barely visible due to a lack of money to purchase a proper copying machine, I want you to think of David Wilkinson. He in his ultimate wisdom has decided to d spend some $80,000 of the states money on an appeal to the U..S. Supreme Court so we Utahns can stamp out the evils of cable television. Now I know that $80,000 could buy a lot of copying machines. . .And I know that $80,000 could buy a lot of school books which you kids now have to share... And I know that $80,000 could buy a few reams of paper which your teacher says is now nonexistent... But its nice to know that our attorney general is prioritizing our money with a vision of the future. Education is certainly less important than evil. there are 40,000 Utahns But Dad, said my who arent having turkey today because theyre too poor. Couldnt the money go to feed these poor people? Food is a temporary Sure, but that would be thing. An enlightened lifestyle is Do the people want Mr. Wilkinson to spend the money on fighting cable TV? asked my boy. Of course not, I said. The voters defeated a referendum on cable restrictions. But Im happy that David Wilkinson knows how confused and wrong the majority of Utahns were. His ignoring the voting process shows great leadership. But Dad, our teacher told us the state was running out of money, said my Ridiculous, I answered. A state cant run out of money. It can always get more money by increasing taxes. Isnt it wonderful, children, that all of us can pay more in taxes to help David Wilkinson pursue something that we dont want him to pursue? My wife spoke up. Tell the kids that the $80,000 for the appeal is only a drop in the bucket. Tell them that Mr. Wilkinson has already spent $260,000 on previous appeals. Thats right, I responded. See children, isnt it nice that David Wilkinson is not concerned with money? Other people think money, money, money.. .But David Wilkinson is thinking sue, sue, sue. ..Gosh, I admire a man with principles! But couldnt we use the money to help my teacher? asked the And how about my bus driver? This year we dont have seats in the Fruit Heights bus, and our driver says we dont have enough money to fix it up. A bus with no seats is dangerous for us kids. Oh, but think, my son, of the dangers of cable television. Your own safety--an- d a few bruises or concussions--ar- e a small price to pay for the protection of our living room. Nope, I think we should all give our sincere thanks to David Wilkinson, a man who knows better than we about the useful spending of our tax money. ..And now kids, lets have some turkey. We already have, piped up the David Wilkinson is the turkey. Out of the mouth of babes... ar hard-earne- short-sighte- d. long-rang- seven-year-ol- e. d. FARMINGTON Shortly after Layton High School opened 20 years ago, the local Kiwanis Club offered to donate a football d to the school. This gift from a civic club was turned down by the Davis School District Board of Education. This fall, the Coca-Col- a Company, well aware of the dilapated condition of the present Layton scoreboard, offered again to replace it with a new one, as well as install it. The idea ran into board opposition again, at first. Now, that may be changing. Budget cuts and tough economic times in general are forcing the Davis District, along with many others in the state, the policies concerning commercial donations, and commercialism in general. score-boar- non-prof- it Last Tuesday at the regular meeting of the Board of Education, the topic of commercialism was discussed. Some subtle philosophical changes were mde. At the conclusion of the dialogue. Board Chairwoman Sheryl Allen stated, It looks like Layton High will be getting a new scoreboard. No official administrative action has yet been taken. The offer from the Coca-Col- a Company is still extended to the high school, and if the gift is given, the scoreboard would be worth $8,000 alone, or $15,000 installed. The only contribution from the School District would be for poles and wiring. Assistant Superintendent Gayle Stevenson summerized the Districts and the Boards change in attitude by stating, Times have changed. We are in a little different situation now than we were in the past. We need money." The actual wording of the District commercialism policy has changed little. The old wording stated that schools have an obligation to protect children against commercialism, and that children should not be improperly used in the collection of funds. The policy also stated prior approval from the Superintendent was needed for any large donation request. These would be examined by the administration and a determination about the appropriateness would be made. The new policy simply adds the statement, The administration can make the decision to allow gifts they deem appropriate. In altering the commercialism policy, the Board of Education stated it would try this new approach for six months and see what, if any guidelines are needed. Davis District is following a pattern established by most neighboring school districts which also face severe budget and funding limits. Weber, Ogden, Granite, Jordan and many other school districts allow gifts generally in the athletic departments only. Weber has no specific policy, but it does accept athletic gifts and encourages contributions to the schools through a founddistricts men- non-prof- it ation. The other tioned accept gifts for athletics. Commercialism in a scaled down form has been in the schools for decades. Everyone is acquainted g with projects such as candy sales, book fairs, and calen- fund-raisin- Part seven The Tax Act and You By JOHNNY E. WILLIS Seventh in a series of articles explaining the implications of the new tax reform act dars where merchants buy advertising space. Numerous others are used to fund pep clubs, PTA projects, bands, drill teams, etc. Most high school newspapers, many yearbooks and programs printed for football and basketball games contain some advertising. These commercial spots do not pay for the entire publication. Advertising does help lessen the costs that must be absorbed by student activity fees and retail cost to the student or patron. Commercialism in the schools is most apparent through the vending machines in high schools and junior high schools. The revenue from these commercial dispensers has become important to the functioning of secondary schools. At Layton High School, profits from the vending machines are used to supplement and enrich all facits of the school program. Principal Paul Smith compiled a long list of items and services purchased from the vending machine s account. These include for the custodial staff, the Artists in Residence program, the Writer in Residence program, the insurance costs for a recent art exof the cost of a new hibit, lawn mower (the district matched this amount), honor roll pictures, the Plautis information sheet that is distributed by mail to all Layton High School parents and walkie-talkie- one-ha- lf computers for various depart- ments including the office. Thats not to say that the District has taken a hands off attitude towards all commercial programs. Steve Whitesides, director of Education Support Systems for the district, recalled that a local fast food chain recently approached the district about a reading incentives program. We felt that it would be inappropriate to get involved with such a program, mainly because we might be communicating to s that it was good to read so they could be awarded with food. But we also had to respect the independent food operator who would probably be quite angry if the district got into an agreement with a chain, he said. While vending machine revenue and gifts from businesses such as a scoreboard are passive examples of commercialism in the school system, an active way the Davis School District hopes to gain support from individuals and companies is through the Davis School District Endowment Foundation. This Foundation was incorporated three or four years ago. The Board of Governors consists of the Board of Education members, Roger Glines and Superintendent Lawrence Welling. There is an Executive Committee and an Executive Director, Ed Cammack. The Foundation received support from the Utah State Legislature in 1985 through an Incentives for Excellence grant, $250,000 set aside to be distributed statewide to school districts who could raise matching funds from the private sector. Davis District received some of this seed money. Some school districts like Weber non-prof- it have developed successful Found- ation programs. The Davis School District Endowment Foundation is a young program. Mr. Cammack says some donations are received, and the Foundation is actively soliciting support. Donations in kind and dollars are both appreciated. Last year, the Davis Foundation received $30,000 in money and $5,000 in kind (computers). The. money was given to schools based on requests made. Examples of Foundation projects include an Artist in Residence for an elementary school and computer labs in elementary schools. The district is prohibited by state from using law and by the by-lamoney for salaries or facilities. It can be used for materials, equipment and consultants. Donations received by the Davis School District Endowment Foundation are acknowledged by a thank you note and a tax receipt. If it is appropriate to print the name of the individual or company making the donation on a program, this is also done. While the Board of Education opened the door for schools to accept gifts from businesses last Tuesday evening, it stated firmly that the door is only slightly ajar. Mrs. Allen made it clear that the more acceptable way to contribute to the school system was through the Davis Foundation. Mr. Cammack added fc At the present time, there are more projects than there-arfunds available. INDIVIDUALS Home office expense - Under current law, individuals may deduct expenses related to an office in the home with these limitations: (1) the home office must be for the convenience of the employer; (2) the home office must be used regularly for business; and (3) the deduction cannot exceed the taxpayers gross income from the business. The Act made a change that individuals (this includes independent contractors) who lease a portion of their home to their employer can no longer deduct any expenses associated with a home office. The Act also added the limitation that home office expenses that are allowable cannot increase or create a loss associated with the business. Any deductions that are lost for the current year can be carried forward to later years. These changes take affect for taxable years beginning on or after Jan. , 1987. Hobby loss rules - For individuals who are engaged in an activity not generally engaged in for a profit are subject to a limitation that expenses cannot exceed income. If the activity can show a profit in three out of five consecutive years, then it can be considered as an activity engaged in for profit. Therefore, expenses in excess of income can be deducted in loss years. Individuals involved in horse breeding, training or showing, or racing need to show a profit two out of seven consecutive years to oe able to deduct excess expenses in loss years. Reflections Airport means mixed emotions for travelers 1 Suspect sought in deaths police believe may be linked to three shooting deaths including that of Carla Maxwell of Layton. Mrs. Maxwell was shot several - times as she worked alone in a convenience store in Layton. The susd pect escaped in a sports car. The other two women were also killed by several gunshots and the suspect left the scene in a 1972 to 1974 Chevrolet Camero or Firebird, black or dark blue in color. BUSINESS dark-colore- Each week the Davis County ClipReflex-Journwill publish stories alleged crimes that have occurred recently in northern Utah. Crime Solvers, by the Utah Council for Crime Prevention and Utah Department of Public Safety, provides the information and asks your support in providing any information you may have about any crime. Your identity will remain strictly per and al anonymous. Rewards of up to $1,000 will be offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect or suspects in a local crime. Call Crime Solvers at 964-225- 5. The suspect in this Crime Solvers weeks is a man who The latest female victim was Lisa Strong, 25, who was walking to her residence in the vicinity of 800 East and Kensington Ave., Salt Lake City, on May 19. She was accosted by a gunman and shot to death. Two witnesses said they saw the suspect leave the scene in a black or dark blue sports car. Being night, they could not give an exact description of the vehicle. In addition to the money offered an annony-mou- s by Crime Solvers, source has offered a $25,000 reward to the person or people who furnish information resulting in the arrest and conviction of any or all of the people who murdered the three women. In the Interest of Davis County and colonies formed by former residents Address all correspondence to 197 North Mala Layton, Utah 84041. Subscription rater 25c per copy, $6.50 per year, mailed In county, $7.50 per year outside. OwnerPubllsher John Stahl, Jr. Vice President Luclll S. Stahl J. Howard Stahl Manager Editor Tom Haraldsn 544-913- 3 ship conventions remains the same except where the 80 percent deduction rule applies. Starting in 1987, individuals who travel on the grounds of obtaining education only will no longer be allowed to deduct the related expenses. Examples given are a French teacher traveling to France to maintain familiarity with the language and culture and a social studies teacher who goes to another state to photograph people, customs and goegraphy. This type of travel will be disallowed. The mainword is only. Where education is the only purpose, then the expense is disallowed. Where the education is only offered at a particular location or it is the only place that the education can be obtained, then the deduction for travel appears to be allowable. An example would be a business-relatecourse that can only be obtained in Chicago and no other place. The present law for travel deductions related to charity are extended to include travel expenses incurred while away from home on behalf of a qualified charitable organization. No deduction will apparently be allowed if there is any significant element of personal pleasure, recreation or vacation. All of these travel changes are effective for years beginning on or after January 1, 1987. d Phone book changes due MeflextUournal Published weekly by Clipper Publishing Co. Inc. 96 South Main, Bountiful, Utah 84010 Weekly newspaper published at Layton Utah every Tuesday, Travel Expenses - The costs of a cruise ship or other luxury water travel will be limited in 1987 to twice the highest federal per diem for travel within the United States. The law for cruise Telephone customers listed in the Ogden directory are reminded that this is their last chance to make any changes for the 1987 book. Dec. 12 is the last day customers can submit any requests for changes. According to Scott Bringhurst, y district Sales of U S West Direct, publisher of Mountain Bell directories, the deadline is important to assure all changes can be made correctly and on time. Production of the directory, including typesetting, print manager-Director- ing and binding, takes about three months. Bringhurst says that customers who share the same address, telephone number and surnames can have both names listed if they desire. A charge may apply in some cases. Check with your service representative for more details. He also explained that customers who have contacted Mountain Bell for changes in their telephone service during the past year will automatically have these changes included in the new directory. By TOM HARALDSEN Reflex-Journ- al Editor It occurred to me last Monday night, at 35,000 feet. There I was, sitting in seat 17A, getting a great view of the darkness below. The couple in 16A and B were necking, the guy next to me was reading from The Storm Testament V, the girl behind me was smoking up a storm, and the flight attendants were passing out soft drinks and Honey Roasted peanuts. It hit me that airplanes, and airports, leave me with mixed emotions. After all, trips to the airport usually mean one of two things: You are either flying home to loved ones, or leaving them. My trip had been no different. After four warm days of Thanksgiving weekend in Phoenix, where my family has relocated, it was time to climb aboard America West 393 for Salt Lake City. But one of my favorite hobbies, people watching, had left me with many impressions. At Sky Harbor in Phoenix, a group of high school girl soccer players were about to depart. Each had a look of anticipation on her face, anxious to get back home but somewhat saddened that the weekend was over. On my own flight, the University of Arizonas womens basketball team was headed for Utah, for games against Utah State and the University of Utah. There were the two businessmen to my right, discussing sales and slowly getting plastered as the flight commenced. There was Sally, the new flight attendant, who looked like actress Connie Selleca from Hotel but was nervously fumbling around like Ricky Ricardos wife in I Love Lucy. But those thoughts were brushed aside by visions of my own children, crying softly as we parted, even though Christmas is less than three weeks away. These same children had had much different emotions just four days earlier, when we were reunited for the holiday as a family. The same airport, but different circumstances. I thought how coincidental it is that an airport can leave us with such different emotions, how peculiar that makes them. And returning to Sky Harbor again became a rather important goal. It was easy to remain melancholy for the duration of the 90 minute flight, although Romeo and Juliet in front, Smoky in the back and the bookworm on my right did distract me at times. . Then, we touched down in Salt Lake. As the plane emptied, I saw friends and family, affectionately embracing those whod returned home. The parents of a Mormon missionary were there, a welcome home sign in hand. The mother and children hugging a father who was . back from a business trip. The young couple, glad to be together again, who joined hands and walked towards the luggage area. There really are two sides to every story, and in the case of air ' travel, one way or the other, one airports loss is anothers gain. It leaves me with mixed emotions, but also with anticipation of my next reunion in some crowded airport terminal, where the ' family I love comes to meet me again as I return home. . . long-awaite- d P 6 |