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Student counts, assessments factors in school budget

By Ted Morris
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 - 06:21:50 am MST

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SIERRA VISTA — In the grand scheme of school budgeting and how much tax you will owe, every student counts.

But other factors such as rising assessed valuations will likely result in higher taxes, local school officials say.

The governing board of Sierra Vista Unified School District is anxiously awaiting the outcome of a March 27 100-day count of preschool students at Carmichael and Town and Country elementary schools. Hundredth-day counts already have been conducted in all the other schools of the district.

“Our preschool is about 32 students, so we want to make sure that we include all the data, it’s accurate, so that when we report our final numbers, everything, we utilize and maximize our ADM,” said District Business Manager Michelle Quiroz as she presented a budget update to the board Tuesday night.

ADM — or Average Daily Membership — is a yardstick used in complex formulas of the Arizona Department of Education as it dishes out money across the state. ADM is measured on the 40th day of school and the 100th day.

Assistant Superintendent Bill Roach said the situation this year of having five different 100-day counts within the district has been resolved. Next school year, he said, there will be only two 100-day counts, and they will be only three or four days apart instead of six weeks apart as was the case this year. “So we have improved that for next year, significantly,” Roach said.

Quiroz has analyzed the 40- and 100-day ADM over five years, which shows that Sierra Vista Unified School District No. 68 has lost 0.236 percent of its ADM in that time, or approximately 16 students.

She is projecting that the district’s final ADM of this year will be 6,168.762, representing 37.17 fewer students, mathematically speaking, than last year.

One of the key areas that Quiroz must take into account is special education, the fastest-growing component of the school’s budget.

In one of the several categories of special education, Multiple Disabilities-Resource, there has been a large increase of students since last year.

“There’s a significant increase, a 101-student increase from last year,” Quiroz said. “When we have those types of changes, I want to make sure that this is accurate, because if we get any information that comes back that says, no, your census was incorrect, that can significantly impact what our final calculations are for budgeting.”

After the March 27 head count of preschoolers, it will take about another month for the state to conduct its reports and analyses, and for the state and district to reconcile their figures of the Sierra Vista school district’s total enrollment.

By then, the district will have a clearer picture from the County Assessor’s Office of how property owners’ assessed valuations are changing and what impact that will have on taxes.

That situation is not looking good.

Quiroz reported preliminary data from the Assessor’s Office that show that the average primary assessed valuation for elementary and high school in the district has increased by 12.76 percent. The average secondary has increased by 18.58 percent.

“So our assessed valuations have increased,” Quiroz said. “What that typically equates to is, as our assessed valuation increases, our state equalization decreases. That means we get less money from the state. That means we typically have to increase your taxes.”

Based on a slight decline in assessed valuations for commercial property owners, board member Hal Thomas commented, “From my perspective, the homeowner is across the barrel on this.”

Quiroz emphasized that she is being “very cautious” in projections, because, “We cannot calculate a budget yet because of those ADM numbers … and if we’re off 50 students, that can affect everything, our tax rate and everything.”

Board member Donald Rothery pressed Quiroz for a timeline of when a budget and tax estimate will be known.

She said probably early May, but because the district needs to start sooner as it plans for staffing and other needs, her staff already are preparing early projections based on the district’s own data.

Rothery said people want to know their tax bill.

“I just don’t want to have another situation where they don’t know until it gets there,” he said.

Anyone who is interested in the budgeting process of the Sierra Vista Unified School District may attend the 4 p.m. Thursday meeting of the school board’s Financial Advisory Committee. The meeting is held in the district office at 3555 E. Fry Blvd. For information, call 515-2700.

Herald/Review City Editor Ted Morris can be reached at 515-4614 or by e-mail at cityeditor@svherald.com.

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To Former Teacher wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:16 PM:

" If what you say is true and I believe the "good old boy system" is alive and well in the education system as well as a severe case of "over do it itus". Then we pay ever increasing taxes and override taxes to support neoptism. Maybe that explains why the district spends more on administration an dless in the classroom than the state average. "

Facts wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:23 AM:

" Don't you just hate it when people start quoting all the facts and not just cherry picked facts.
START SAVING - TO RESEARCH and FINALLY below are right on. I support public education.
Our school system deserves better governance than it currently has. No I am not a cadidate for the board. But I have a more clear idea of who to vote for in the next election and who NOT to vote for. "

Former teacher wrote on Mar 19, 2008 6:52 AM:

" Our tax money is not going for education, but rather to support the large, overpaid, educational infrastructure. This is the "good old boy" system at its finest, where friendships matter and qualifications don't. That's why I no longer teach, and it's not just about money. It's seeing friends and lovers promoted to positions they aren't qualified for. "

solution simple wrote on Mar 18, 2008 9:28 PM:

" Getting rid of Art, Music and PE for grades 1-3 may well be appropriate to wean off the override funds. These courses can be handled by the regular teacher once a week. They aren't that hard at that level. The reality is they are "nice to have" but have nothing to do with fundamentals. Taxpayers budgets are tight, and so should the school districts. "

Hereford wrote on Mar 18, 2008 6:14 PM:

" In reading a lot of these comments I posted, I sure hope you are reading SVUSD, and more importantly the Governing Board.

Why does it always seem that this school district just can't get its budget together? This has been going on for years now and I think people are getting tired of it. You already tried robbing students of Art, PE and Music- what's next? "

To Research wrote on Mar 18, 2008 7:31 AM:

" The same national organizations that rank AZ 49th in per pupil funding, rank AZ as 23rd in the nation for teacher salary. So are the 22 states ranked above AZ enticing our teachers to leave, surely they are not going to the 27 states ranked lower. "

Start Saving wrote on Mar 18, 2008 7:00 AM:

" From the above, it is assured that property tax rates for the SVUSD will increase again as assessments have miraculously increased and state funding will be reduced accordingly. The budget has inceased over $10M since the override passed, that adds another $1M or more to the override bill. So start saving up as soon as you pay off the "tax error" from last year. You'll need it for the next round of increases. In 2009 they have to get another override or start weening themselves off the curent one. No BRAC this time. Confidence in district management lost. No override. "

Jack wrote on Mar 18, 2008 6:40 AM:

" Going to raise out taxes again to support the schools? You could save a lot of money by getting rid of all the illegals in our schools, and cutting down on the massive overhead of the assistant this, vice that. Give us tax payers a break. We have had to cut back, don't you think it's your turn. I am not talking about teacher, just the administration. "

FINALLY wrote on Mar 18, 2008 2:25 AM:

" Finally looks like some of you have figured it out. The teachers union and professional educators run the SVPSD. Next election, find out who the union supports and vote for the other person. Best thing you can do. "

ANGRY TAX PAYER wrote on Mar 17, 2008 2:36 PM:

" research: Is that going to be the theme of the new scare tactic, "angry youth" when the override is promoted again? We had all kinds of desperation last time. I've paid taxes in 6 states. I know what I'm talking about. "

To Research wrote on Mar 17, 2008 11:37 AM:

" So nothing but the keys to the state treasury or taxing people beyond thier means to pay will solve the problem? Have a grudge against retired people because they are retired and don't have as much money to live on as when they were working or what here? Were you one of the override supporters that pledged to band together with the other school districts and fix the funding problem to eliminate the need for overrides and did nothing but continue to wail about funding? Have you recommended anything to fix funding that spreads the burden equally? Probably not. "

Research wrote on Mar 16, 2008 11:43 PM:

" I am well-aware of PROP 301... it is like sticking a wad of chewing gum on a defective dam. If high-quality teachers are leaving AZ because the salaries are ridiculous, if children should suffer because RETIRED people who have "already raised their children, etc" are angry at the mismanagement at SVPS, if kids at risk or with disabilities aren't worth our time and trouble, please expect MORE ANGRY YOUTH. I have TAUGHT in 4 states, and I know what I'm talking about. SV residents/retirees will not see it until they feel the impact. "

to Will wrote on Mar 16, 2008 3:35 PM:

" Will, you are wasting your time wondering how much was donated in tax credits to the SV school district. The amount is so small it isn't meaningful. As far as ending the credits, that would be disastrous for all the private schools that have steady donors through the years. They are basically self-funding themselves, putting tax dollars directly to work eliminating much of the administrative waste that goes on in the public schools. Sierra Vista schools happens to be above average in administrative costs/wastes. "

not more excuses please wrote on Mar 16, 2008 11:31 AM:

" Rothery, the public really wants more than simply "to know their tax bill." We'd really like a board that did more to look out for the taxpayer. Are steps being done to actually cut the budget that might, for a change, give taxpayers a break? Need I remind you, we're still paying (again May 1) for the current tax year where tax bills in dollar amount went up 25-40%. "

End The Credits wrote on Mar 16, 2008 6:22 AM:

" The AZ Legislature needs to put an end to Tax Credits period. They reduce the income tax revenue going into the general fund that the state uses to fund services like education. Donations to schools and all tax credit entities should only be allowed as deductions not a dollar for dollar reduction of income tax owed. The donations are not counted in the total funding AZ provides for schools even though in reality it comes out of monies owed the state, therefore it is state funding. It should count toward per pupil funding totals even if use is restricted. "

Will T wrote on Mar 15, 2008 8:00 PM:

" To Mr. Morris would you please report the total dollars donated in 2007 to the School district. I am talking about AZ tax credits given based on Donations by taxpayers to the school system. I know the monies can only be used for certain actives, but not sure what all the money can be used for? I believe it would be a good subject for you to report on. "

Erin wrote on Mar 15, 2008 6:02 PM:

" It seems to me there is an incentive for schools to label a kid "learning disabled" or some other special education title as the student brings in more money, which thus grows the budget. This then balloons the override as well, as the override is a 10% increase to the "normal" budget. So what you have really then is the ability by the school board to grow the education business, hire more people...friends...etc.... "

to brian wrote on Mar 15, 2008 5:35 PM:

" Prop 301 money was one of the cures to education finance. But don't forget the lottery too,alot of the money there was supposed to go to education as well. I may was well break the news to you now though, you can put 100% of the state's budget to k-12 and the school boards and teacher's unions will still say they are underfunded. "

brian c wrote on Mar 13, 2008 10:58 PM:

" For do "some research" want to past this on as you may not have been an AZ resident back in 2000."In November 2000, voters passed Proposition 301, which increased the statewide sales tax by six-tenths of 1 percent for 20 years to provide additional resources for education programs.” Bottom line is there will never be enough tax money to satisfy our educators.Prop 301 was going to take of school funding along with Indian gaming money. Yet the school district still is crying more money more money. Well I certainly won’t go along with any attempt to pass another overide. "

no budget here wrote on Mar 13, 2008 9:20 PM:

" Closing one school would do the trick. That is the truth I think what happend to the district's so called budget. While the school was closed the district misbudgeted--dipped too much into the funds that had run the closed school. Then when it reopened, they could'nt get control of the budget, and hence why the override was thrown onto the public. It's all about planning and management. "

Taxed Out wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:04 PM:

" Some comments appear related to the property taxs and the associated assessed value of property. I think it is neat how the County has effectively banked valuation by increasing the full value at a rate in excess of how much they can tax. With a limit of 10% on the increase in value on which they can base the primary tax, all full value in excess of that is esentially banked to be tapped in successive years. We see that in this year's decrease in full value, but an increase in the limited value. "

housing bubble wrote on Mar 12, 2008 10:41 PM:

" I have sold two houses in the SV area in the last 5 years. One with a realtor, one without. Had I sold with a realtor the second time, the house would have been sold $7,000 higher and netted me $1,ooo less. I decided to go without the realtor, and I netted more and the buyer saved, thus the sale reflected a more true price value of the house. By doing this, the assessor didn't have a bloated price that would also effect the neighbors' assessments as well. "

The big picture wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:37 PM:

" The school does counts on certain days? A business knows everyday how many of their employees are at work. I have an idea how the school could get more money, reward the students to show up on the counting days. Free cigs, soda, movies, a better grade etc. "

integrity anyone? wrote on Mar 12, 2008 6:15 PM:

" The people running local governments seem to only represent themselves and the special interests. Seems to me, however, they are elected to represent all in the school district and county. When will they ever put the taxpayers into consideration? It is not supposed to be one sided.

"

Stuck on One Number wrote on Mar 12, 2008 1:57 PM:

" All I have heard from day one of the override campaign thru today is "Az spends less per student than any other state". Enough already! You have beat that drum so much nobody realy hears you anymore. But that is the only fact that you have to use that meets you agenda, higher property taxes. How about the fact that AZ teacher pay is in the top 50% nationally and AZ spends a larger % of its annual budget for education that most states. How about the fact that SVPSD has a higher administrative cost than the sy=ate average. "

Done Some Research wrote on Mar 12, 2008 1:47 PM:

" To "Do the Research": Completely research the issue not just the parts that fit your model. Az spends well over 50% of the stste budget on education. Most other staes spend less that 50%. How? Higher sales and income taxes. The state has only so much revenue to spread across many required service areas. So tell them what you want cut to up the education spending. I have yet to hear one of you property tax hogs suggest that a special sales tax or an income tax surcharge to increase funding so all share the burden equally. "

To Housing bubble wrote on Mar 12, 2008 8:18 AM:

" Get real, Realtors don't set house prices, it is supply and demand.
And if you have a house, and ever decide to sell it, you don't have to use a realtor, but good luck. "

housing bubble wrote on Mar 11, 2008 3:26 PM:

" One has to figure realtors have some blame for the housing bubble. Afterall, they help jack up the prices of houses, the higher it goes the more commission for them. Plus, we all know a house is 3-6% jacked up just to pay the commission. Perfect example of why the initiative needs to be placed on the ballot to roll assess values back to 2003 or the purchase price. Check out: prop13arizona.com and also : http://svherald.com/articles/2008/03/09/opinion/letters_to_editor/doc47d39a2397ac2382551124.txt "

No More Taxes! wrote on Mar 11, 2008 12:33 PM:

" A school closure sure would save millions of dollars. Eventually that may be the answer, but for now, some other house cleaning should take place. There should be a reprieve from the increased taxes. Those who fought the override had it right in 2004, maybe the people will listen next time! "

Do the Research wrote on Mar 11, 2008 9:04 AM:

" If you really have a strong opinion about this, please, please research how much money AZ spends per pupil compared to OTHER states....then factor in the cost of living....then examine how well we're doing on the NCLB test scores. YOU PEOPLE are getting your money's worth and then some. The only way less money is spent on my kid is if I move to Utah or Mississippi. Arizona is in the LOWEST strand of states (cost). Inflation is hurting the schools, too. Be realistic. "

JOHN wrote on Mar 11, 2008 12:29 AM:

" I want to modify my previous comments concerning me believing the school district student count has been increasing. As I think back those student number way up to 6,700-student population were on the special school district page in the Herald. I want to include the school district “information officer” in playing a big part in putting out inflated student numbers. I wonder if anyone knows how many students are realy in the district schools. I really doubt it "

wondering wrote on Mar 10, 2008 11:44 PM:

" I see that TUSD (Tucson) is having to close some 6 schools due to declining student enrollment. Since enrollment is declining here too, maybe one school closure would be appropriate here. Tons of dollar savings-transportation, utilities etc. Just a thought.... "

Cathy wrote on Mar 10, 2008 10:40 PM:

" Still trying to shove more taxes down our throats of that in which the students will never see! I work too hard to see my hard earned paycheck wasted like this. "

not more excuses please wrote on Mar 10, 2008 7:48 PM:

" No More Taxes! has it right. Humburg was hired from out of town, and now she may move on completely again out of town. Meanwhile the locals have to suffer with the override she and the board pushed through. Something is wrong with that scenario.

"

PIO Failed wrote on Mar 10, 2008 6:27 PM:

" The PIO was broought on board to help the district better communicate with the public. Help the district get its measage out and win support for its agenda. Help sell more taxation as a good thing for the kids. Well the PIO has failed to do that, the rift is wider than before one was hired. We are kept informed of what the kids are doing in class, but the silence on how the growing override money is being spent is deafening. Do recall seeing a word on that since it passed. So much for keeping us informed. "

Truth Not Told wrote on Mar 10, 2008 6:17 PM:

" We were all lied to to get the override passed. They said the only needed about $2.5M extra to restore programs that cut unnecessarily and by doing so save the Fort. The override now collects about $3.7M or more a year since the budget has increase substantually since it passed. Nobody paid attention when it was pointed out the budget would increase each year and also the override collections. Enrollment went down but the budget still grew. State funding is tied to enrollment so it went down. Guess who paid for the budget increases? Look in the morror. "

will it ever end?? wrote on Mar 10, 2008 2:00 PM:

" WASTE is right on the information officer. Disinformation might be a more correct term anyways. "

Not only Pre-School wrote on Mar 10, 2008 1:07 PM:

" We taxpayers are footing the bill for more than pre-school. Take a look at all the electives offered at Buena and the number of para-professionals employed. With declining student count seems the budget should be declining or tax rates. Oh wait! Declining student count means less money from the state, therfore property tax rates have to increase to maintain and increase the budget. They base thier budget on what they expect to get from the state and the local property tax, then determine how to spend it. Not from a ground up build a budget based on justified requirements. "

Chuey wrote on Mar 10, 2008 7:36 AM:

" We taxpayers are footing the bill for “ preschool” students at Carmichael and Town and Country elementary. As School officials talk about money being tight and the very strong possibility of having to raise our property taxes again. As I see it Preschool is nothing more then a free "baby sitting service”. Its no wonder people are upset with the school system and the way they spent our tax money. The school board needs to look at cutting the budget, not try to built a bigger “empire” Start by cutting Preschool "

john wrote on Mar 10, 2008 4:53 AM:

" Been out of town and catching up on my reading of the Herald for the local news. I was shocked to read that the school district has lost students over the last five years. I was certain the student population had been increasing. Based on past stories in the paper. The number the school district was using was 6,700 students. Seems to me I have been lied to as I thought the reasons for the “override” and tax increases were because there were more students. Well I won’t be fooled again and I hope the papers reporters’ aren’t either "

billy five 100 day counts? wrote on Mar 9, 2008 11:55 PM:

" This really doesn’t make any sense to me, how can the School district have more then one 100-day student count? Our school system is so screwed up, this just one example that the school district can have five different 100-day counts that’s plain crazy. “Assistant Superintendent Roach said the situation this year of having five different 100-day counts within the district has been resolved. Next school year, he said, there will be only two 100-day counts”. It’s a sad joke that Roach is finally learning his job now that he is retiring. "

why incompetence? wrote on Mar 9, 2008 10:24 PM:

" The sad part is, there are so many high paid people in the school district and county who are responsible for overseeing the schools and the budget. The county supervisors are supposed to do more than rubber stamp a tax rate are they not? If not, why give them the name of supervisor, rubber stampers would be more appropriate, but wait that is what the school board really is. Where is the accountability? "

perplexed wrote on Mar 9, 2008 4:00 PM:

" It's too bad that there never seems to be enough money on the current budget. The fact is we are fnally told enrollment is dropping, yet the budget is up nearly $10 Million dollars from just four years ago. What we need are honest accountants in the district who will make some cuts. The information officer should be the first to go--can you say WASTE?! "

That is the Problem wrote on Mar 9, 2008 10:15 AM:

" Nelly is right on. The teachers union and the other insiders controll the school system and the budget. Even the majority of Board members have education backgrounds. Nothing will ever change because of the vested interests. Change can be initiated from within an organization or form external forces. Appears it will take very strong external pressure to get the school district to take a hard look at how they do business and make changes to get the most out of thier budget and stop using tax increases to fund thier excesses. "

NELLY wrote on Mar 9, 2008 1:05 AM:

" Only in the protected environment of our liberal school system, controlled by the teachers unions, could Ms Quiroz still have her job. She screwed up big time on the tax rate, which cost us taxpayers, a bundle. She will continue to be part of the problem. .She needs to be fired and a Certified accountant be put in that position "

don't like it wrote on Mar 8, 2008 11:07 PM:

" I'd also add, that Thomas has a lame excuse trying to blame the tiny tax rate reduction that commercial property owners received. Their assessments have gone up too, so a .5% tax rate reduction doesn't amount to much. What matters is the dollar amount in tax, and theirs is going up too. "

don't like it wrote on Mar 8, 2008 11:04 PM:

" Thomas is a current school board member and thus is part of the problem. I also think he is a hypocrite as he sits on that board raising everyone else's taxes while he has at least twice appealed his own home assessment to lower his own tax bill. He even said people should pay some $80 to appeal all the way to Phoenix. This guy isn't on the taxpayer's side.
"

No More Taxes! wrote on Mar 8, 2008 10:17 PM:

" The current debacle was under Superintendent Humburg. This is her last school year with the district. What this means is she may now leave the area. So that means, those residents who really call this home, must suffer with higher taxes while Humburg retires off in the sunset. Maybe the school board should have picked a local for her replacement. "

don't like it wrote on Mar 8, 2008 9:48 PM:

" The 100th day of school is a big thing for the school as that is used for funding for the next school year. This also means the school, high school usually, then has no problems throwing out the "bad" kids. Meanwhile, the rest of the kids have to suffer with them in there until this 100 days has passed. Just one of the major problems with public schools. "

Had Enough wrote on Mar 8, 2008 9:05 PM:

" The Disrict always has some "reason" that they have to increase our taxes. Thomas hit square on, the property owner is over the barrel because the district can't get its act together and do a bottoms up eval of how they are conducting business. Sorry folks but from what Qiroz stated we arenot going to know just how bad the barrel bending is going to be until we get our bills. Another tax surprise is in the making. They better start weening themselves off the override money, the taxpayer has had enough. Another override approvalis highly doubtful. "

Valuse Increased? wrote on Mar 8, 2008 8:52 PM:

" What planet is the County Assessor's Office on? Nationwide property values are falling like leaves off a tree except Sierra Vista. We must live in a very special area immune to declining property values and market forces. But then if that were true there wouldn't be so many homes for sale that have been on the market for many months. ET, call home! Next thing you know they will be pushing for all seniors on fixed incomes to take out reverse mortgages so they can spend it paying higher taxes. "

karen wrote on Mar 8, 2008 6:57 PM:

" The Sierra Vista school district is already preparing the property owners for another tax increase. There are hundreds of houses on the market. Does any elected official care that these jacked up property taxes are causing people to lose their homes? Seniors on fixed incomes are really having it tough. Here is my advise to the school board don’t even think about another “override” tax increase. The voters aren’t going to be scared this time. What needs to happen is the governing board does a complete Scrub of very administrative position and reduces the budget by cutting unneeded positions "

hardtimes wrote on Mar 7, 2008 10:17 PM:

" Just a couple weeks ago, the Herald printed lists and lists or property owners whose property was to be auctioned by Cochise County for failure to pay past property taxes. I imagine it really must be a burden for some people to actually pay these bills. Hopefully they came up with the past tax before it was too late. "

Just Wait wrote on Mar 7, 2008 7:24 PM:

" The current override is bad enough. As the school budget increased so did the override collection. Remember they got authority to collect 10% of whatever thier budget is yearly in extra tax. They are now getting over a million $ more a year than collected the first year of the override. Over a 50% increase in collections. Well over an addtional $1M a year It ain't just pizza money anymore. Just wait till you see what the next override request(current one starts phasing out soon)wil be, more than double the amount asked for in the current override. Bet on it! "

wake up taxpayers wrote on Mar 7, 2008 11:43 AM:

" The thing about Quiroz is she uses/ abuses her position of authority to explain things technically with the same ends of telling you your tax is going up. I think the intent of this is to confuse the public in order to diguise alot of waste that is in the budget. "

terrier 3 sierra vista wrote on Mar 7, 2008 2:56 AM:

" Remember all the articles the Sierra Vista Herald published in the past four years parroting how the school district was gaining students. In fact there was no students gained.according to this article.The tactic of inflation of student numbers was to fool the voters to support and help justify the continued tax increases “override”.Remenber this when the district starts taking about another "overide" tax increase. "

any respect for taxpayer? wrote on Mar 6, 2008 11:45 PM:

" Another tax increase looming again for the poor folks in the SVUSD? Don't these people realize there are limits? One of the biggest lies we were told when the override was rammed through, was that the tax would not go up due to more houses being built to share the expense. Well that has'nt held true as the override tax is up as is the base school tax. Is there not any repect for the taxpay left by these people running the local governments? "

No More Taxes! wrote on Mar 6, 2008 11:11 PM:

" Sounds like the school district is over taxing homeowners again. When will the taxing stop? Last year's tax fiasco was enough...find another way to stay within the budget without sticking it to the taxpayers. "

Hereford wrote on Mar 6, 2008 7:45 PM:

" So, what does this all mean? Another tax increase? Where does this all end and how many years in a row are taxes continuing going to go up? Or, is the school district going to go back and resort to tactics like robbing students of art, music, and PE. "

Never Ending Story wrote on Mar 6, 2008 3:05 PM:

" Well so much for the "this was a one time foul up and your taxes should decrease next year". Translation: you won't pay as much as you paid last year because we messed up and you had to pay a prior year's tax shortage this year, but you will pay more than the tax bill would have been if we hadn't messed up because your property increased in value. Looks like they have found a way to stick it to us again and we won't know how bad till we get our tax bills. "

TaxedOut wrote on Mar 6, 2008 11:41 AM:

" The District's explanation of how increased valuations affect taxes is correct. We can't escape that; it is determined by State law. However, we must ensure the District manages within its allowable budget and that excesses are eliminated. You have probably noticed that your "limited value" property valuation increased even though your full assessed value may have decreased. The rampant increase in valuations over the past several years is actually causing most of the tax problem. I believe that taxes based on "value" are ridiculous. We The People must get control over the gourmand appetites of our governments for money. "

Solomon Fulford wrote on Mar 6, 2008 11:20 AM:

" Why should we believe Quiroz as she has lost most of the Sierra Vista community trust. If we need to increase taxes, why can we not cut the administrative staffing such as the Assistant Superintendent position as the current one is retiring. I think it is about time that more changes should made in the make up of the school staff and the school board.

"

Stop the Insanity! wrote on Mar 6, 2008 7:05 AM:

" NO MORE TAX INCREASES!!! Agree with "What" - get rid of the illegal students. The school district has messed up our taxes enough as it is. We don't trust you anymore! Learn to live with what you have instead of always coming after taxpayers for more. "

not more excuses please wrote on Mar 6, 2008 12:30 AM:

" Sounds like more from the district "officials." Always some new excuse to raise our taxes. Last time it was an error, to which we were told was a one time "hiccup" which would result in a future reduction. Now we're being warned of another INCREASE because our homes are over assessed. Nice racket to be the goverment always saying whatever the wind will blow while getting more of people 's money. "

What wrote on Mar 5, 2008 6:42 AM:

" you should be asking is how many are here legally if ONE kid impacts it that much. If we are being taxed more, the district should do everything to make sure we are paying for kids who aren't supposed to be here. "