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Show Davis Voed Gets Less Than Desired By TOM BUSSELBERG Reflex Journal Editor KAYSVILLE - Maybe the Davis Area Vocational Center didn't get every candle on the cake they'd hoped for. this year, but the taste was still pretty sweet. THE SUGAR wasn't as heavy a dose as Director Jack Shell might've used, but he called it a "fair budget" that included $2 million for the new electronics-electricity-drafting facility as well as paved the way for another $2 million to complete that project. On top of that, a 12 percent general budget increase was awarded, including additional funds for teacher career ladder and program expansion. The $1,944,900 budget included S74.400 for what Mr. Shell prefers to call "teacher incentive" program vs. career ladder-of nearly a two-fold increase: $53,600 toward what works out to five percent salary hikes and $175,900 to program expansion. THAT $175,000 was "about half of what we asked for for new programs," Mr. Shell said, although efforts have not died to hopefully fund new programs in office machine repair, computer maintenance, telecommunications and building maintenance. "That's based on local needs we think we canjustify," he emphasized. empha-sized. Construction on the newest addition could start before the snow flies for another winter, Mr. Shell said, while construction on the latest phase to house student services, including a cafeteria, cafeter-ia, administrative offices and welding, should see completion within two months. Then, the machine sthop can move from its quarters in the old school district transportation shops to the ok' administration building, where remodeling's already under way. ONE SORE point that directly affects the school district came when approval for only $40,000 towards a 40-acre land purchase was received. Appraised at $850,000, the DAVC has been working work-ing to purchase the site from the Davis School District. In a letter to Legislative Analyst LaMar Sayers, School Board Pres. Sheryl Allen, who also sits on the vocaticnal board, noted "disappointment" with the decision. Noting the school district gave 25 acres to the DAVC "with the understanding" the state would purchase the other 40, she said further that utilities are set to be placed on the 40 acres soon in coopration with Kaysville City. BEYOND THAT, the school district needs to sell the 40 acres it has held since 1978 to obtain funds for other necessary purchases. The high school house construction program also needs ground and some of the property will be utilized this fall if the land isn't sold, she wrote. A previous proposal to the state building board from the district called for a two-year buy-out countered by a state three year offer. "It is critical that the state purchase the property as soon as possible," Mrs. Allen added. |