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Show Orem-Geneva Times Wednesday, December 2, 1992 Page 2 i .m.im i V gf l"L"""M"""" " I Youngster tells fondest wishes to Santa at the Orem Family Night Christmas Party held Monday night at the City Center. Macy Sanderson, Miss Orem, enjoys the moment. The party, complete with free pizza courtesty of Little Ceasars was sponsored by the ProvoOrem Chamber of Commerce and Orem City. Boundary options are being considered for new jr. high By Steve Blackwell The city of Orem will benefit from the new junior high school under construction in Lindon. The Alpine District School Board announced an-nounced two options of boundaries that are presently under consideration. con-sideration. Option One indicates the boundary will be 1600 North in Orem. This means that anyone living north of 1600 North will go to the new junior high school in Lindon, and those living south of 1600 North will attend either Orem Jr. or Canyon View Jr. High. Option Two lists the boundary as being north of 1600 North until State Street, and between State Street and 800 East, it will be north of 1200 North. Utah Foundation Reports: Utah's new Capital and Debt Service Law creates significant disparities "Significant disparities" occur between several district's ability to pay and the amount they actually ac-tually do pay into the state's new capital and debt service outlay program, concludes Utah Foundation, Foun-dation, the private public policy research group in its October Research Re-search Report. In the 1992 session, ses-sion, the Utah Legislature passed House Bill 65, "Equalized Capital and Debt Service Foundation Program." The law phases in a local school district equalized capital and debt service program which is designed to provide more revenue to less affluent and fast growing school districts. The money to fund the program comes from state aid and from a recapture recap-ture formula that takes funds from some school districts and gives it to others. "In order to qualify for this equalized capital outlay and debt service program," writes Utah Foundation, "a school district must impose the allowable tax of 0.2 percent and be below the state average yield per student on the tax. In other words, they must show not only effort, but show that the effort results in a return that is below the state average." The formula for distributing the funds to the qualifying districts dis-tricts is a complicated one that includes several components. "However, it is the formula for recapturing the revenue from districts dis-tricts that is the most controversial controver-sial part of the new law," states Foundation director, Michael Christensen. The formula is based on two key factors. "The first factor is based on how completely com-pletely a district is using its allowable al-lowable capital and debt service levy. The closer a district's tax is to the capital and debt service cap, the less it is required to contribute. con-tribute. The second factor discounts dis-counts the amount of revenue recaptured from districts with qualifying bonded indebtedness. It is this recapture formula that is being criticized," summarizes Mr. Christensen. Critics of the law argue that contributions to the program should not be based on the tax rate for capital and debt service, but on the overall wealth of the district., similar to the way the state's basic school program works. As an example of the disparities, dis-parities, the report points out,"South Summit, Murray, and Option One will benefit Lindon in terms of enrollment with a projection of 998 kids entering in 1993-94, while Canyon View would have 1,586 kids enrolled. This figure fig-ure evens out a bit by the year 2,000 when enrollment is projected to be 1,319 in Lindon to 1,468 at Canyon View. This is due to a major influx of people into the Lindon Lin-don area. Option Two is more favorable to Canyon View's future enrollment. enroll-ment. For the 1993-94 school year, the new Lindon jr. high should carry 1,201 students while Canyon View will have 1,383. While this is fairly even, by the year 2,000 and takinginto account the growth percentage, per-centage, Lindon will have 1,591 students compared to 1,196 at Canyon View. Park City School districts have virtually identical assessed property valuations as a percent of the total state assessed property proper-ty valuation at 2.1, 2.1, and 2.2 respectively. Yet the amount that is recaptured from these three districts for the capital capi-tal and debt equalization program pro-gram varies greatly. Park City contributes the least at 2.3 percent per-cent of the total recapture revenue, South Summit is next at 4.4 percent and Murray contributes con-tributes the most of these three at 7.2 percent. Salt Lake City School District's assessed valuation amounts to 12.3 percent of the state total but it contributes 54.3 percent of the entire recapture revenue. Millard School District's assessed valuation is approximately ap-proximately 5.4 of the state total, but contributes 25.2 of the recapture revenue. In fact, Salt Lake and Millard contribute 79.5 of the total recapture revenue but account for only 17.7 percent of the assessed valuation. These kinds of disparities," concludes con-cludes Mr. Christensen, "develop from a formula, which as mentioned, men-tioned, was based on the percent of the capital and debt service levy that was not being used by a district." Another controversial part of the law is the way bonded indebtedness indeb-tedness have their tax rate modified until the bond is paid. The bonded indebtedness have their tax rate modified until the bond is paid. The bonded indebtedness provision is particularly beneficial to Millard, Park city, and South Summit school districts. Utah Foundation writes that, "many see the need to take a look at the whole picture," in regards to the new law. "For example, Salt Lake School District's capital outlay levy is the second lowest in the state and as a result, contributes con-tributes over half of the total recapture revenue. However, its total levy of 0.8373 places the district 17th among the 40 school districts in the sate. South Summit, Sum-mit, on the other hand, has a capital capi-tal outlay levy close to the state cap and therefore contributes a small amount to the program. But its overall school district tax of 0.6457 is the second lowest school levy in the state. In other words, it appears that all factors were taken into account when the law was passed," states the The School Board agreed with the general feelings of the public in that they want to set boundaries that will be lasting and that won't have to be changed in 5 years down the road due to over-crowding in one of the two junior high schools. Kid3 that will be in 9th grade next year will have some say in where they will go. There are considerations con-siderations to have a "choice option" op-tion" which will allow the kids the chance to choose where they will go. This is an attempt to reduce trauma of separation of friends and continuity of programs. Teacher applications for transferring trans-ferring to the new junior high will be accepted starting Feb. 1. The final decision of boundaries will be made at the Board meeting on Dec. 8th. report. Utah Foundation out that, "the Legislature recognized years ago the need for an equalized school program for maintenance and operation and implemented and excellent one. This program simply imposes a statewide tax in all school districts. Those districts dis-tricts that raise more than the state guarantees per weighted pupil unit (a methodology for counting students in the state's equalization formula) pay the excess ex-cess into the state's uniform school fund. There are no exemptions. exemp-tions. It is simply based on the wealth of the district per weighted pupil unit and heavily subsidized by the state." Utah Foundation concludes that, 'With that program as a guideline, the Legislature could go a long way toward creating a capital outlay equalization program pro-gram that would follow what virtually vir-tually any college textbook on public finance states about good tax policy: 1) the distribution of the tax burden should be equitable; equi-table; and 2) taxes should be efficient, effi-cient, non-arbitrary, and understandable under-standable to the taxpayer. With this approach, the Legislature can have a model equalized capital capi-tal outlay program similar to the one that finances the minimum school program." Hike in Workers' Insurance Commissioner Harold C. Yancey announced today the approval of a 19.5 average increase in Utah Workers' compensation rates effective ef-fective January 1,1993. NCCI (National Council of Compensation Compensa-tion Insurance), the designated rate service organization, had filed with the department a 24.8 increase. Commissioner Yancey has recommended to Governor-elect Leavitt that a task force representing repre-senting a coalition of business, labor, and the medical community, com-munity, the others affected by this increase, be organized in 1993 to consider some reforms to uuoress mese rising costs. Legislation introduced by the Industria Commission and ture, may have some positive effect ef-fect in reducing rates. This, plus Panel of newspaper professionals to speak at Chamber Forum Friday Print Media Professionals representing the Daily Herald, DeseretNews, and Orem-Geneva Times will address the general membership of the ProvoOrem Chamber of Commerce, and will answer questions about media relations at the Chamber Forum on Friday, December 4 at noon at the Coventry Place, 865 West Columbia Lane in Prove The Luncheon will be $7.50 and the public is invited to attend. RSVP to the Chamber at 379-2555 by noon Thursday, December 3. "The media can be an asset and positive force in the business world and most businesses will deal with the press regarding business matters," mat-ters," according to Fiona Robison, Chamber spokesperson. Sometimes Some-times a news release is vital to the progress of a business, and often businesses will take advantage of purchasing advertising space in the newspapers. "A clear understanding under-standing of the role of the newspapers in our community and the ways in which they are able to interface with business is important impor-tant to every business manager or owner," said Steve Densley, president presi-dent of the ProvoOrem Chamber. United Way achieves 35 of fund goal United Way of Utah County has achieved 35 percent of its goal to raise $1,049,000, said Sherm Cloward, DDS, vice chair of campaign. cam-paign. "So far in the United Way campaign we're running ahead of last year. I'm excited about the progress we're making. We still have a ways to go, but I'm very optimistic about reaching our goal. The needs of people in our community are greater this year than last, and I'm confident that these needs will be met," Cloward said. The main reason people give to United Way of Utah County is because donations are kept in Utah County to help peoplefocal-ly, peoplefocal-ly, said Cloward. He said, "United Way of Utah County is more than just a way to give- it is the best way to care." One of the high points this year is the community campaign led by Andy Anderson, division chair. "The Community Campaign Division is doing exceptionally well. The volunteer group chose 130 companies who have not been regular contributors in the past. Many of them have already agreed to run employee campaigns cam-paigns and give corporate-level contributions," said Anderson. Contributions to United Way help provide services for one out of three residents of Utah County. Last year more than 90,000 people were helped through contributions con-tributions to the United Way of Utah County. United Way of Utah County supports 21 local charities and over 100 different services. Services Ser-vices are offered in the following area: literacy, youth, senior services, ser-vices, disease prevention, health, services for individuals with disabilities, dis-abilities, abuse prevention and treatment, community and emergency emer-gency services, and services for-low-incomehomeless individuals. in-dividuals. United Way of Utah County is an independent organization. Its policies and administration are determined by a local, volunteer board of directors. Business and Community leaders evaluate the United Way-sponsored agencies annually. For more information on the United Way of Utah County campaign, cam-paign, call United Way of Utah County at 374-2588. Compensation the fact that the trend line on these increases does appear to be leveling off, caused Commissioner Commis-sioner Yancey to reduce the requested re-quested increase by 5.3. A recent survey indicates that in spite of sizable increases in the, workers' compensation rates in Utah the past three years, Utah still ranks 42nd in the nation in average workers' compensation cost. Commissioner Yancey , j -, fViaf orreater cm- reiterated bBohi-.o-j"- ---- 0pd9 to be placed on loss F'" flflfefv elimina- taon ?L.!olTthe cost shifting that takes place within the medical medi-cal community. To bring a better understanding under-standing to the marketplace, newspaper professionals who are members of the Chamber will form a panel to represent their special insight and to answer questions from Chamber members mem-bers and the community. Kirk Parkinson and Earl Biederman will represent the Daily Herald, Parkinson has been the publisher of the Herald since 1987. Under his leadership, the Herald has become the largest newspaper in the Scripps League Newspaper Chain. He has worked at the Herald for thirteen years and was advertising director direc-tor before becoming the publisher. publish-er. Biederman is a California native na-tive from San Diego. He came to the Herald in January of 1989. He is the managing editor of the Daily Herald and in addition to those duties has given a lot of background on computer technology technol-ogy and operational procedures. Prior to coming to the Herald, he was the managing editor of The Blade Citizen in Ocean Side, California. The Deseret News is Utah's UVCC receives upward bound grant Utah Valley Community College Col-lege (UVCC) was recently awarded the Upward Bound Grant for $200,000 which is part of the Talent Search and Student Support Services trio grants. This is the first year for the grant at UVCC and it will be used to target 50 students. This grant helps to reach potential first generation college students, students whose parents do not have a four-year degree, who have academic potential but lack adequate information or school preparation for post-secondary education and training. "These are students whose parents did not go to college and do not realize college can become part of their future plans," said Dr. Fred Rowe, UVCC co-director of Upward Bound Grant. The Upward Bound program will recruit 9th, 10th and 11th graders during the first year of the grant. This provides the stu FM Radio it used to By Steve Blackwell What humor! What class! What a great way to spend my time! Obviously Ob-viously comments like these come after listening to good, modern FM radio. Never before have I been so entertained by radio and its classy announcers who always leave me rolling on the floor with quick, witty one-liners. Granted, gone are the days when radio was a piece of furniture in the living room and the family gathered together to enjoy a wholesome evening of "The Lone Ranger", or "Amos and Andy". Radio used to be so stuffy! Anyone appearing on radio during it's early years had to wear a tuxedo and act somewhat civilized. Gone also are the days when you could turn on the radio and find that your favorite music was the highlight and center of its programming. Today, however, disc-jockeys are much more hip and into the groove. Heck, anyone can get a job as a D.J. now-a-days, and that makes listening to radio much more enjoyable. Generally the air-waves are no longer filled with comments by educated, literate, and community oriented people who have prepared for hours beforehand each time they go on air. No longer can one hear good, humorous jokes that don't boarder on being risque. Heck no! Weliveinthe90's! Gone are the days when a radio announcer was really restricted in the things that he could or couldn't say. Today if there are some things he has on his mind, he just lets 'em rip! He doesn't care how many people he might offend. After all, one doesn't offend, one gets offended, of-fended, so it's the person's own fault! (At least, that's what I heard on the radio.) Of course, I really need to write the Federal Communications Commission and thank them for the deregulation that they incurred in-curred about 10 years ago. Now disc jockeys aren't so limited on what they can and can't say. Oh, sure...There are things of which the FCC doesn't approve, but ...... rr - they are diminishing every day. Fortunately, a good portion of the FM radio announcers around here seem to be taking full advantage ad-vantage of the deregulation. After all, how can you have good, quality radio when someone trys to maintain decency on the airwaves? air-waves? I just love the fact that when a modern-day D.J. wings a joke oldest newspaper. Brooke Adams, Bureau chief for Utah County since 1990, will represent the paper ont'he panel. Adams started as a full-time reporter for the paper after serving as managing manag-ing editor at the Utah County Journal. After just one year as a reporter, Adams, the mother of three children was promoted to Bureau chief while she was working work-ing on her Bachelor's degree from the University of Utah. She: graduated cum laude last year and received the honor as the top journalism student at the university. univer-sity. Brent Sumner, publisher of the Orem-Geneva Times since 1983, will also be on the panel. His family has owned the Times since 1953. Sumner graduated from BYU in 1973 with a degree in Communications. He has served as a director with the Utah Press Association for ten years, and is past president of the Association. As-sociation. The Times has been an active member of the Chamber for 39 years, and Sumner is a member of the Board of Directors overseeing the Communications Council of the Chamber. dents with tutoring services, assessment as-sessment activities, workshops and seminars and cultural and social enrichment activities during the academic year. There is also a six-week residential summer program offered of-fered at UVCC Campus where classes in basic skills, study skills, language arts, mathematics, mathe-matics, reading, career and personal per-sonal development and other electives will be taught. During the second year of the grant, 12th grade students will have the opportunity to enroll in college clase.s and get a headstart in snaking the transition transi-tion to college. Upward Bound counselors will meet with students individually in-dividually every week and will coordinate activities with parents. For more information call UVCC institutional research at 222-8000, extension 8076. not what be and it doesn't go over good, he just throws in a silly little cuss-word to cover it up. That's it! He doesn't have to think quick and try to smooth things over, he only needs to say the first profanity that comes to mind - no wit or intelligence intel-ligence needed. What a riot! Or how about when they can't think of anything else worthwhile to say so they start alluding to cer tain parts of the body. No wonder so many junior high graduates are turning into disc-jockeys! Modern day radio also saves me a lot of money. Instead of spending fifty dollars on Madonna's new book, I just turn to a local station to hear a graphic description of what every page contains. What a bargain! Plus, there is obviously no need for preparation whatsoever - spon taneity definitely sounds better than a well thought-out, pre planned program. I used to hate commercials Not now. This same kind of crazi ness appears to be spillingover on to the ads these stations run. Maybe it's because the station's D.J.'s are producing them, but now I can have continuous, raunchy "coolness" whether it's in a commercial or not The reason of all the changes from the past is because so many people really do like what they are hearing. If that weren't the case, the pressure would have driven these new, nineties- oriented stations out of business. It's happened in the past. Take for example the station in Georgia whose management had allegedly been engaged in some discrimination. A big group oi DiacK citizens protested to the FCC and the station was denied rights to renew its' license 'Course, gone are those days be cause nobody has done that some thing so bold lately. Besides, mat s a sign that current programming is acceptably among the people of Utah Valley. tKl-a " "T'l- urawDac. Lai volutl0nary ?A ,8'?at I m nluava nArunna that mi, ine one drawback with all I'm always nervous that my boss can hear me listening to my favorite station. I'm not sure why i always piay tne radio a little softer when he's around. Come to think of it, whenever I'm around any respectable person I don't feel like I can listen to the radio with a lot of confidence. I guess also gone are the days when I could listen to the radio without feeling guilty. i ! S n Am AIY.fl |