OCR Text |
Show A-18 77?e Park Record Saturday, December 28, 1996 The year in Review: education in Park City by Madison Furrh OF THE RECORD STAFF As 1996 conies to a close Burke Jolley, acting superintendent of the Park City School District, took some time to reflect on the year's major stories in education. Some of the top stories were: the resignation resig-nation of superintendent Dr. Don Fielder, the construction of the new middle school and the renovation reno-vation of the high school, and the refunding of impact fees. PCSD pact with recreation board in November The Park City School District and the Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District reached a million mil-lion dollar-plus agreement on the construction and maintenance of the athletic fields at the new middle mid-dle school. Jolley said of the agreement, "That was big obviously obvi-ously because we were able to improve our facilities sooner and we have a partner to help maintain main-tain those fields in the future. It will be a benefit for the kids in Park City." Jolley. who was originally origi-nally opposed to the deal, explained why his position changed. He said, 'T wanted to make sure that school district kids had priority use of the fields during dur-ing the school day and we were able to work that out." Construction continues at high school, middle school The Park City School District is hard at work trying to keep up with growth in the community. The district has spent millions of dollars on construction over the past year. Jolley said. "The construction con-struction of the new middle school was part of a 1995 bond election approved by voters in 1995. It was a $33,550,000 bond to acquire land, build a new middle school, renovate and increase the size of the high school, and make some improvements at Treasure Mountain Middle School." Although the construction of both schools is on schedule and on budget there has still been plenty of controversy. Some residents in Park Meadows said they were surprised sur-prised and unhappy about the height of the Park City Performing Arts Center, the 70 ft. high structure adjacent to Park City High School. Jolley said, "The erection of the wall the fly loft has been controversial, but it's going to be a beautiful performing per-forming arts facility for the high school." He added, "They high school and the middle school will be ready for school next year. The swimming pool and the auditorium auditori-um will be done this time next year." With all the construction going on in the district a few problems did arise. Jolley explained, "We found out that there was a significant signifi-cant amount of lead in the soil. It cost about $200,000 to remove but we were able to cover the soil and improve those grounds. The playing fields between the high school and the middle school will be a positive. They are significantly significant-ly improved fields that we'll be able to take advantage of this summer." SCOTT SINE PARK RECORD Students at Soaring Wings Montessori school put on a holiday concert, titled "December in Our Town," in the Santy auditorium on Friday, Dec. 20. A large crowd gathered to watch as the students performed a variety of holiday songs and skits. Pictured: Kris Kringle and the Jingles perform a holiday medley. School Board elections favor incumbents The school board elections ) made an impression on Jolley. He explained, "We've had a lot of turnover in the past. In the nine years that I've been here we've had 15 board members and the current board has been together for two years and will be together for another two." That, according to Jolley, is a benefit to the district. dis-trict. He said, "We're now seeing some stability on the board and that is always an positive. It provides pro-vides support to the super and it establishes continuity which has lacked historically." Internet ethics A hot topic lately has been the Internet and whether the district should filter it before students are allowed to use it. Jolley said, "I'm glad they're filtering. I think it's good, it's appropriate. It's a no-brainer. no-brainer. You don't let that stuff in your library so..." News from the financial front The school board received a better bond rating and that will ease the tax burden for citizens. Jolley explained, "It the bond rating rat-ing will help us in future debt issues. It will have an effect on the interest rates. We'll issue $17 million mil-lion in debt this spring. Our credit rating is better so we'll be able to borrow at a lower cost and now we have one of the best ratings in the state. There are only four or five districts with a better rating and they're bigger than us. So it is really real-ly a feather in our cap." He added, "Park City Municipal has an A-plus A-plus and now we the school district dis-trict have an AA-minus, so this is a pretty good deal. It will save Park City taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest payments in years to come." Another important story on the financial front, according to Jolley, was the district's decision to return $2.5-3 million in impact fees. Jolley explained, "The 1995 Utah Legislature said Utah school districts dis-tricts that were collecting impact fees, which was only Park City, could not collect them after May 1, 1996. He continued, Summit County and Park City Municipal were collecting them on behalf of the Park City School District and those three entities decided to refund those fees that were collected col-lected during the two-year window win-dow when those fees were collected." collect-ed." The district had collected $3,393 per home and the decision to refund these monies, although good news to home builders, will be detrimental to tax payers. Jolley explained, "That means we'll have higher taxes in the future because we won't have impact fees to offset that." The board decided to charge impact fees, according to Jolley, "because the growth was coming so fast that the board didn't feel people already here should pay for schools that were needed to build because of growth. The catch phrase was: For new growth to pay for itself." Editor's note: A second year-in-review article-will appear in the Dec. 31 edition. Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year were honored (AP) Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah (BBBS) presented three "Big of the Year" awards at the organization's annual holiday gathering earlier this month. Lisa Faucett was named Big Sister of the Year for her involvement involve-ment with BBBS since 1990. Little Sister Danielle's nomination nomina-tion of Faucett was given through a poignant account of their relationship. rela-tionship. In her letter, Danielle said, "Lisa has been kind, sweet and giving, and she is my role model. I love her like a sister." Two Big Brothers were honored hon-ored for their outstanding involvement with BBBS. One awardee, Keith Chan, has been matched with Little Brother Cody since 1990 and is very supportive sup-portive of Cody in all his endeavors. endeav-ors. In his nomination letter, Cody wrote, "Keith has always done more than his share of helping me. Even when I am too old for the program I hope we can still keep in touch." Chan owns Bangkok Thai in Park City and came to Utah from Singapore to finish his education. The second recipient. Kurt Peterson of Salt Lake City, was recognized for the impact he has had on his Little Brother Sam since they were matched four years ago. In Sams letter, he wrote, "Kurt has shown me how to do so many things like rock climbing, golfing and water skiing." ski-ing." According to Sam's mom, Peterson is a blessing to her entire family. In addition to the Big of the Year, BBBS presented Bim Oliver with the "Honorary Big Brother for Life" award. Matched with Little Brother Joseph for almost 10 years. Oliver's Big Brother role will officially end upon Joey's high school graduation this coming June. Since their match, the two have enjoyed outdoor activities, bowling for the agency's fundraiser fundrais-er "Bowl For Kids' Sake" and working together on the Murray High track team. Oliver works for the Utah Division of Community Development where he runs a project called Pioneer Communities which is based on the preservation of historic quality- The award recipients, nominated nomi-nated by their respective Littles, were recognized for their contributions contri-butions to agency objectives, ability to deal with difficult situations, situa-tions, length of involvement with the BBBs program and their dedication and consistency to the non-profit mentoring organization. organiza-tion. To be eligible, they must have been matched for at least one year, have contact with their Little for at least three hours a week and have participated in at least two activities or fundraisers during 1996. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah, based in Salt Lake City, provides at-risk children throughout the state with an adult volunteer mentor and friend. Utah's BBBS program currently provides adult mentoring mentor-ing to over 200 children between the ages of six and 18, with many more children waiting to be matched. For more information on BBBS, please call 265-1818 If you think a 4x4 has a lot of room, get a load of this. SEATING CAPACITY COMPARISON AUDI A6 WAGON 7t ACURA SLX 5 FORD EXPLORER 5 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 5 NISSAN PATHFINDER 5 OLDSM06ILE BRAVADA 5 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 5 fitt Sr ' 1 Tfc Satefe - -V . : '! V m&mr,, ....... - $A - J It y ; " v MwjPc 'vjjS The Audi Wagon A6 quattro All wheel drive Tell 4x4's to take a backseat. And try this on (or size: The Audi A6 quattro . We've got the goods. Like quattro, full-time, all-wheel drive that handles with care confidently escorting you through hazards by transferring power from the wheels with the least traction, to those with the most. And superior ride, instead of the delivery-truck noise and feel of a 4x4. So before you get carried away, see your Audi dealer, and send those 4x4's packing. CTEVE PORSCHE AUDI ' VOLKSWAGEN tLIFFCIF?CZ) MOTORS. INCORPORATED 38 month ckd-ncj iaas. 36.000 mile allowance, option b pure ha arlws nd Icy $25,345 plus tai Total of payrmnta it $18,304 plot tax. Rri payment, he and rag. ( and down paymant o S2S2S dua at dnv away. OAC. 410 South University, Provo, Utah 1-800-825-9801 801-374-1751 SLC 801-355-2277 GOOD MM mfmWSmSStib r v (' i Located in the prestigious Silver Lake area of Deer Valley is this luxurious home with gorgeous panoramic views of Bald Mountain, Jupiter Peak and the city lights of Park City. The ski trails are right at you door! $1,495,000 Mel Murray Otto & Scott Vultaggio 2200 Park Ave. BIdg.B Park City 649-7171 or 800-553-4666 "If we can answer any of your questions regarding Park City Real Estate, please call us." Happy Holidays! ThePrudential t, Omg mo Ohm o vl , I ft University of Utah Summit Health Center 1750 West Sun Peak Drive (Off SR 224) For Plastic and Reconstructive services we invite you to visit Dr. Renato Saltz Dr. Renato Saltz is board certified in Plastic Surgery and General Surgery and has special interest in cosmetic surgery, body contouring, breast surgery, and breast reconstruction after mastectomy. He is one of the pioneers in endoscopic surgery. His general surgery residency was completed at the University of Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital and plastic plas-tic surgery residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Saltz is a member of the Salt Lake Surgical Society and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is an active member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery and the Director of the Summit Plastic Surgery Center at the University of Utah. For an appointment with Dr. Saltz, please call: (801) 581-3149 or In State: 800-662-0052 ext. 13149 Out of State: 800-453-0622 ext. 13149 ? I Goldener in old-world Ckristmas atmosphere. Goldener with the warmth, the glow, and the tradition of Christmas. Our chefs are skilled at mating a special Christmas meal -one sure to create memories. Start a Christmas tradition here. Christmas is at its best at Goldener Hirsch. winter Hours Open seven days a week Breakfast 7 - 9:30 am Lunch 1 lam - 2:30 pm Apres Shi 2:30 - 6pm Dinner 6 -10 pm Call for reservations. (801) 649-7770 s DEII VALLEY J scenic five minute drive from main street. Q O G m Q Q u pT5"M Q Q Q Q O Q Q Q O h o Q a t |