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Show Brochures to answer most asked questions A four -page voter information brochure being distributed next week claims that the March 15 school bond election oilers a practical, cost effective solution to satisfy the educational needs of the county. The 10.000 brochures are being distributed by alxmt 50 volunteers. Boctt-chorand Boctt-chorand Company, school district fiscal agent, is paying for the printing of the brochures. Merle Rambo, Dana lirson Roubal and Associates told the I'inlah School Board Thursday that information about the school Ixmd proposal is much better than the defeated Ixmd two years ago, "There was an impressive group (of volunteers I here today, most of them were very positive alxmt distributing the information," Kamlx said. The brochures answer alxmt '.X) percent of the questions being asked concerning the Ixmd election, Rambo said. Answering the foremost question which people have concerning the Ixmd, "Why the BonJ Klection?", the brochure emphasizes educational opportunity, present enrollments and discipline as reasons for the Ixmd proposal. "Kducational opportunities for st idcnls attending Uintah High School . ;u limited because of inadequate space i r,uircmeiits in science, computer ti linology, library and vocational ei mention." With the present enrollment in grades 7 'J at Vernal Junior High (1,100 si jdentsi, the high school will be over crowded in the three years required to b'uld a new high school. The brochure explains that the board proposes to bond from a comprehensive ci-intiuinity high school designed to meet tl e expanded educational needs of students in Ashley Valley. Also included in the bond proposal an auditorium and teaching facility for the students at West Junior High. The present high school will lx' remodeled for a junior high (grades H -in. It will also become more available lor community use. The new facility will enhance com-murity com-murity educational and vocational programs pro-grams for students and adults who need training and retraining for the job market. The new school will allow expanded ex-panded services for I'tah State University Univer-sity Kxtension classes, lecture, concerts. stage presentation and other evening classes. Cost of the bond election, predicted in the brochure, is estimated to not increase proXTty taxes more than $2.50 per $1 ,000 of taxable value per year. Estimates indicate in-dicate that the average homeowner in Uintah county owning a $55,000 home would pay an additional $1.27 per month, and his taxable value would be $0,152. The Uintah district mill levy would still be the lowest in the state if the Ixmd issue passes. An imixirtant consideration of the bond election is the Slate Community Impact Board has approved a $4 3 million loan to be paid back at 5 percent interest. "This low interest loan could save taxpayers tax-payers more than $1 .2 million in interest costs, however it is contingent on approval ap-proval of the bond. The 4.3 million loan is included in the $17 million bond election. elec-tion. The state requires the board to bond for the amount of the loan to insure pay back of the loan. The brochure concludes that it is a favorable time to construct a high school because of the economy of the country and a favorable bond rate compared to previous years. Volunteers have been urged to personally per-sonally give everyone in their neighlxirhoixi a brochure. Brochures will also be available at the School District Office for those who don't receive one. One high school 'has more to offer' Building one large high school rather than two smaller ones and a middle school yields several benefits its easier to staff one school with qualified teachers than two high schools and it's less expensive, expen-sive, school board memebers say. The problem of finding qualified teachers in the Uintah School District was brought to light during school board meeting Wednesday. In preparation to discuss a new policy which would require teachers to have either a college major or minor in the subject they are teaching, a survey of secondary teachers was conducted. The results were that 42.5 class periods are being taught by teachers who don't have a college major or minor in the subject. "They are all trained in teaching, but they don't have a degree in the field they are teaching," Superintendent Philip Ellis said. "If a teacher wants to do a good job teaching that subject he is provided pro-vided the instruction he needs." Continued on pae 2 Bond... Continued from page 1 The bulk of the problem is at the junior high level in the math department where 28 periods of math are taught without the teacher having a minor or major in that subject. "I believe that this problem will be resolved by the building of a new high school," said Garth Atwood, school board member. "The one advantage of a large high school, is it offers teachers more classes in subjects they are qualified in." In light of the situation, Thomas Howells, board member suggested "Now is not the time to pass the policy." Superintendent Ellis told the board that it would take about two years training train-ing to certify the teachers according to the proposed policy. The total number of classes being taught by teachers without a major or minor in the subject is equal to 7.5 full time teachers. |