Local school district asking for $19M bond
A local school district is asking to raise property taxes to make up for an increase in growth. The Teton County School Board is asking the community to pass a $19 million bond.
Superintendent Monte Woolstenhulme said Victor Elementary needs the most work. The school was built in 1941 and needs to be replaced. Other reasons the district needs the money include: small bathrooms used by more than 180 students and staff, small classrooms shared by multiple teachers, the lack of playground space and makeshift classrooms. In one area of the school, a makeshift classroom is the same space where the kids eat lunch. One parent said enough is enough.
“Too many kids for one teacher, there are like 25, 30 kids for one teacher. The playground is small and there is no soccer field.” said Felicia Juarez.
Woolstenhulme said the bond will help solve those problems. The plan is to build two kindergarten through third-grade schools in Victor and Driggs.
“We see the need now because we are continuing to grow in our community, with our student enrollment, and it will better meet the needs of students and teachers,” he said.
Woolstenhulme also said Victor Elementary is already at maximum capacity and the district is growing by more than 20 students every year. But some people don’t see a need for another school and don’t want to pay more taxes.
The district said if passed, property owners could see a $95 increase in property tax on a $100,000 home. The bond will be up for a vote Aug. 26, but absentee voting has already started. To learn more about the vote, click here.
