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ELECTION 2008: Tombstone schools superintendent aims to bring back music, art, and improve teachers’ pay

By Katie Evans
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Sunday, Oct 05, 2008 - 05:19:16 am MST

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SIERRA VISTA — The Tombstone school district will be pursuing a 10 percent override during the November election.

What this would mean for district residents is, for a home assessed at $101,600, the owner would pay $70.29 annually, or $0.6918 per $100 assessed value. Superintendent Karl Uterhardt said the average home value in the district is about $88,000, which he said means the home owners would pay about $5.86 per month.

“I don’t know anybody who doesn’t have $6,” Uterhardt said. “People are just going to have to make the assessment: are our kids important enough?”

Uterhardt said the district is hoping to use money generated from the override — which is estimated to be approximately $441,961 — to supplement the district’s $5,033,459 maintenance and operation budget to improve education in the district in a variety of ways.

Tombstone Unified School District Superintendent Karl Uterhardt stands outside of the district offices Thursday in Tombstone. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)

“For the last 10 years, Tombstone has cut programs and teachers,” Uterhardt said. “What I would like is music, P.E. and art … I want to bring it back.”

Music was just brought back to Tombstone High School this year, and Uterhardt said physical education is offered on a “limited basis” in the district.

Uterhardt said the students connect to education “a lot of different ways,” and he wants to make sure the district is providing that connection to all students.

In addition to retaining, enhancing and implementing student programs already in place, the district wants to “initiate and enhance a comprehensive benefits/salary package for employees,” the district’s override pamphlet mailed out to voters said.

Uterhardt said the district is the lowest paying district in the state, with teachers starting out at $24,560.

“Our salary schedule is pretty much on the low end,” said business manager Lisa Reames.

“We want to at least be competitive with surrounding districts,” Uterhardt said, adding district officials hope to be able to attract and retain more highly qualified teachers.

With the money generated by the override if it passes, the district also would plan to reinstate the lunch program at Walter J. Meyer Elementary School.

At the moment, the kitchen at Walter J. Meyer is closed for repairs, but even so, the program has not been break-even and was functioning at a loss. Students are currently being bussed to Tombstone High School to purchase lunches.

“The ideal scenario is to bring it back,” Uterhardt said.

The district would also like to expand its preschool program to include non-special education students and to implement a gifted and talented program for K-8 students.

While the override failing wouldn’t necessarily mean immediate cuts for the district, Uterhardt and Reames agree the override passing would really benefit the district.

“For this year’s budget, we’re having to use part of our (unrestricted) capital funding to make ends meet,” Reames said.

Uterhardt said the district has been moving in a positive direction, and he thinks the override would enhance that.

“I think everybody in the district would like to have more,” he said. “This is the best way for people to help the kids in their own community.”

Herald/Review reporter Katie Evans can be reached at 515-4611 or by e-mail at katie.evans@svherald.com.

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David wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:35 PM:

" According to the above article, the budget over ride isn't even needed, just wanted. Read the last couple of paragraphs people,... "While the override failing wouldn’t necessarily mean immediate cuts for the district, Uterhardt and Reames agree the override passing would really benefit the district. “For this year’s budget, we’re having to use part of our (unrestricted) capital funding to make ends meet,” Reames said."
Oh my, the school district had to spend some of it's capital, so it needs a raise. ? 'Splain that Lucy. NO MORE TAXES! "

Mona Zona wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:22 AM:

" Is the idea of a parent buying/renting something for their child's education a HORROR story now? With the "per child tax credit" going directly to the school districts instead of being sent to the parents, ALL of the children would have ALL that they could need or want! The schools could afford to buy and supply uniforms for each student so the "haves and have nots" would NOT be obvious. Nobody loves your progeny like YOU love them. OR Why not just make a donation to the schools? SHOW THEM YOU CARE! Philanthropy is still done. "

David wrote on Oct 19, 2008 5:29 PM:

" The founders intent for free public education was for reading, writing, and arithmatic, history, science and possibly a language to be taught to those who could not afford to send their children to "private" scrools. Extracurricular activities should not be funded by the taxpayer. The original intent was to put educated people into the workforce who would pay taxes thereby lowering taxes for everyone. Just because taxpayer's money has been misused for 70 years does not make it right. NO MORE TAXES (to be continued) "

Get the facts wrote on Oct 18, 2008 11:04 PM:

" Parents have to rent or buy instruments for their kids, its not cheap either. By not supporting the schools, the line between the haves and the have not's has grown. With the shrinking middle class, who will be educated enough to provide you your professional services such as medical and dental in your old age? Kids need a rounded education to stay interested in school and see how the subjects interrelate. I feel sorry for you that you don't see the need, to find $6 a month unaffordable speaks volumes to your education. "

Mona Zona wrote on Oct 18, 2008 10:09 PM:

" I DO NOT think it's fair that property owners who have NO children are being forced to pay while many parents get income tax refunds per child and do not pay one penny of taxes to the schools. HOW IS THAT FAIR? If those Federal Tax refunds were sent to the school districts instead of the families. Then the schools would have more money than they need! (I can hear the whining already). To me: it means that parents would be owning their responsibilities, and paying for the best. NO more ballot begging! "

Enough Ignorance wrote on Oct 18, 2008 2:28 PM:

" This school distric, THESE CHILDREN, deserve the help. You can spin this any way you want, you can rant and rave that you don't want to pay any more taxes, you can blame the tax man for everything, but it doesn't change the fact that this school distric is dirt poor, they're doing a tremendous job with what little they have and this override is the best few dollars we can spend. We've turned our back on these kids in the last 2 votes when times were better, now it's time to buckle up and VOTE YES like real Americans. "

David wrote on Oct 18, 2008 1:30 PM:

" "It's for the children, after all, they are our future". Yup, they are. And it's high time that we stopped spoiling them with ho-hos and ding-dongs, new cars for turning 16, on and on ad nauseum. It is way past time, 50+ years, that we started insisting that our children get a decent education and learn right from wrong FIRST, not after they get done playing sports, wasting time getting enough credits to graduate without being able to read or write. Education starts at home and ends in the scrools. In theory anyway. (to be continued) NO MORE TAXES! "

Mona Zona wrote on Oct 18, 2008 10:52 AM:

" I don't smoke. I don't drink alcohol. I do not use illegal drugs. It's rare when I feel that I can splurge on the price of a meal from a restaurant. I am tired of hearing various renditions of the Whitney Houston song, I do NOT believe that children are my future. If they are, it will be because I am paying them! I do not mind the taxes that go to the fire dept. I think the fire dept. is important to everyone. VOTE NO on school budget override. "

To Texan wrote on Oct 17, 2008 2:29 PM:

" Uhhhh...apparently you are refering to the SV school district, as Tombstone only has 3 schools in it's entirety and the only school that has an assistant principal is the high school, but he also serves as the athletic director. All 3 schools combined don't have 15 secretaries. And Tombstone also does not have attendance officers-the secretaries DO handle that task. And we don't pay Trudy Berry. We are already doing more with less...as evidenced here. Any other suggestions? "

Texan wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:05 PM:

" Get rid of Trudy Berry and 15 Secretaries and 15 assistant principals and our budget will be fine. When I was growing up there was no such person as an assistant principal. Don't fire the teacher's! In today's Society we do more with less, let the school's adopt the same practice. We have attendance officer's. That was the job of the Secretary. You see where I am going with this? "

CGS wrote on Oct 16, 2008 6:55 PM:

" How many of these people who posted before me spend more than $6 a day on booze or cigarettes yet get adamant when school taxes come up. Tombstone is a fine district and, contrary to this report, is NOT the lowest-paying district in the state. Bisbee still pays less for its teachers than Tombstone. "

Community First HA wrote on Oct 16, 2008 4:17 PM:

" Or wait, is it my pocket book first? Forget the kids. Don't buy in to the "it's for the kids" people. Dollar wants to only pay taxes for what she uses, way to go Dollar! Those rotten parents with kids should pony up, and the rest of the community shouldn't be burdened. The whole thing is a scam folks. The only thing that's been scammed is your BRAINS. All you care about is the almighty dollar, that's all that matters anymore, that's what you've become. Obama will save you. We need change! Your going to get it alright!!! "

Whetstone Parent and Property Owner wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:49 AM:

" My last post on this issue...I received my tax breakdown last week and I was appalled to learn that I pay more taxes to support that Whetstone Fire Department than I do to support the school district. That is pathetic and turns my stomach!!! Now, I have to go to the Whetstone Fire Department and cast my YES vote on the override. How ironic. "

Whetstone Parent and Property Owner wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:47 AM:

" ...the money from the M&O override will go into the M&O fund. Please don't assume the sale of the property will fix all of our money deficiencies. To future posters...if you are going to get on here and YELL at the rest of us, please research the facts prior to posting. To the rest...before you decide how to vote on this issue, look into the face of a child in your neighborhood and tell him/her that $6 is too much and they aren't worth your Starbucks coffee. "

Whetstone Parent and Property Owner wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:42 AM:

" Ok...so we have established that Mona Zona and David can write lots and lots of posts and will vote no on this issue. If we ignore those 2 and their uninformed opinions, we can get to the real issue. The school district goes through EXCRUCIATING PAIN to develop a realistic budget (I've been at these work sessions). It's not about working within the budget...there's not enough money in the pot to begin with. And the sale of the old high school does not affect the M&O budget, as this money will go into the capital gains fund... "

Tombstone supporter wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:35 AM:

" Kids need our support, REGARDLESS of cost. For $7.50 per month, kids get those classes!? That's an awesome deal. Don't eat out once, buy one less pack of smokes, beer, soda, ding-dongs, etc. it will cover it. TUSD has CUT teachers and staff for the last decade. NO MORE!! Our kids need adequate funding; if the state won't help, we must!
VOTE YES IF YOU CARE ABOUT KIDS! If you don't care about kids, you have my sympathy; Thank GOD Mona Zona, Golddollar, and David don't have kids to care about! VOTE YES!!! "

Hey SO WRONG TOMKAT wrote on Oct 16, 2008 6:26 AM:

" By all means, tell everyone to go vote on Nov 3. The election's not until Nov 4! "

Mona Zona wrote on Oct 15, 2008 11:55 AM:

" Mona IS my name. I own property. The disclosure of my name is required to make a comment. Perhaps I should have had a herd of children (if I had known YOU would be so happy to pay for them maybe I would have). I opted to work, save, live within my means. I only want to be able to afford to pay my property taxes and still have some grocery money. EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITHIN THEIR BUDGET (EVEN THE SCHOOLS) I have to vote NO. "

Supporter wrote on Oct 15, 2008 7:21 AM:

" I notice a lot of whining on this forum. As for myself I own several properties within the District and know my taxes will go up. I have don't have any kids in school but plan on supporting the over ride. People forget this is for the kids. "

Eric Quimby wrote on Oct 15, 2008 6:44 AM:

" I do own property. I know that the children our our future. My parents, grandparetns, and neighbors paid for me. I do not mind paying a little extra to help the next generation. You should not assume the people making comments do not own property. I will vote yes and pay alittle extra if that will help our community. Furthermore I do not even get tax credits for children. Have some guts and tell us your names. Vote YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

Mona Zona wrote on Oct 14, 2008 8:04 AM:

" Now we are getting to the truth of this issue! Many of those who WANT a budget override in the form of increased property taxes DO NOT OWN any property. It's fairly easy to sit back and say, "Take their money, they own property, they can afford it!" It's a great deal like when I say, "They have children, get the money from them!" I may live in a fantasy world, but I think it's fair that the people with children should be paying for what their children need and want. "

golddollar wrote on Oct 12, 2008 9:23 AM:

" Do you own a home? Do you even pay property tax's each year? I do not want mine to go up $90.00 per year. What about next time ? Yes and there will be a next time Vote NO. Let the new school board next year take over and live withen a budget ,as we all do. "

Mona Zona wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:30 PM:

" Golddollar is NOT alone. I think Tombstone should be ashamed that they wanted the property that they have NOT sold. Now they have WASTED good money printing and mailing out a budget override proposal. The price of our utilites just went up, the price of groceries has gone up steadily, our income (salary) has NOT gone up. You may have extra monies to just GIVE away. I am not sure I will have EXTRA, so I am going to have to vote NO! "

Larry s wrote on Oct 11, 2008 8:46 PM:

" would you not think they would have clipped the bushes in front of the sign for the picture. I am voting no again LIVE WIHIN YOUR BUDGET ITS THAT SIMPLE. "

to golddollar wrote on Oct 11, 2008 12:54 PM:

" Industrial arts, sports, and music have been offered to schools for more than 40 years at taxpayer's expense. Times are tough. I have no child in school now but I believe no child should be denied the opportunity to be well rounded. Every child you lose to another school that offers these programs hurts our community. You are stuck in a world that is only you. Vote YES "

Golddollar wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:48 AM:

" Just Say NO!NO!NO!NO!NO! Times are rough out there. the school system should not get another $90.00 a year from me. Parents need to pay for music and art and sports!!!!!!!!! Public schools years ago did not pay for such things!!!!!!! "

Mona Zona wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:27 AM:

" Tina, I do not recall using the word "burden", I think I said that YOUR children should be YOUR responsibility. Why should you get a tax rebate per child, then think to JAM us with yet another increase on OUR property taxes? Why shouldn't this additional money come from a group of "CONCERNED RESPONSIBLE PARENTS". We are just weary of being stuck with paying for YOUR responsibilities. If they were MY children, I would expect to pay. It's NEVER enough! It's time for those of us who pay taxes to say, "NO!" "

Tina wrote on Oct 9, 2008 10:41 PM:

" It's great you all had parents to pay for your school! (Private school was it?) I can't imagine that there are actually people in our society who see children as a "BURDEN"! Children are our future leaders,educators, lawmakers, politicians, etc. We are securing the growth and future of our great country when we educate our children! I believe the true question is, do we want to pay $90.00 a year now, or more later in higher taxes for more prisons and people on the welfare system? But I suppose some ignorant people are just impossible to educate! VOTE YES!!! "

David wrote on Oct 9, 2008 11:31 AM:

" A portion of our property taxes go towards education. Education being the keyword. No problem. However, it is NOT the responsibility of the property owners to finance extracurricular activities. One who enrolls in art, music, sports, or things outside of the curriculum of reading, writing, arithmetic, history, science, and civics must pay as I did, as my father did, as did his. The parents used to run the schools, not the "professionals" whose liberal agenda are bleeding us dry. It is not coincidence that the kids here score high, the distractions are not present. NO MORE! (to be continued) "

Mona Zona wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:56 AM:

" YOUR CHILDREN, and it's past time for the parents to pay for their own children. If the burden (to pay) were put on the parents of the children they may even find ways for the schools to economize and operate within their current budget. Be responsible for your own children, PLEASE! "

to golddollar wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:25 PM:

" We are all thankful you did not have kids. I do not have kids either but believe you are an idiot to think the way you do. All we ever here is whiners like you. Give like what was stated before attend a school meeting them pass judgment sorry you feel that way "

whetstone parent wrote on Oct 8, 2008 2:55 PM:

" The AZ LEARNS results are in for 2007-2008 and all 3 schools in the Tombstone school district are rated as performing plus. You can check this at Greatschools website. However, we will lose NOTHING if the override fails. But we will also gain nothing for the students or staff. I am looking at about $90 ayear for this overide if it passes. My spouses hours have been cut and money is too tight for any tax hike no matter how good the cause. Sorry! "

golddollar wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:41 AM:

" Hey go up and down the streets of Tombstone You will see lots of young men playing cowboy meanwhile their familys live off of welfare, food stamps, and health care paid for by the state. They do not own homes, cost taxpayers plenty. Their taxes will not go up. They can still go buy their beer and smokes, meanwhile I own a home , work a job, but cannot afford heath care. because I not a BUM. !!!! No I should not pay for their kids. These parents need to be made accountable. "

golddollar wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:28 AM:

" Hey you parents out there with your big tax breaks all year. Money back for each child. How about giving it back to the school . I do not recieve all those tax breaks. My parents paid for my education. I never have had children because I did not feel I could afford too. So I should pay for every idot out there who have kids one right after another. Parents out there if your child is gifted in the arts or music. You should pay not me.!!!!!!! Oh it is all for the children Stop beating that drum. "

Mona Zona wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:05 PM:

" My parents paid for my education! When I needed a band instrument it was NOT provided by the school; my parents had to purchase that also. When I was old enough to earn money in the summer months I was expected to spend MY earnings on clothing for school that I was not allowed to select. I never had children. I am certainly not opposed to YOUR children having an education! I just do not see why I should have to pay for it. VOTE NO on this budget override! "

Mona Zona wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:05 PM:

" I think Gold Dollar has made a good point! Why shouldn't the parents of the children be paying for the schools? Many of us do not have children. Parents could willingly GIVE their tax refunds (how much per child?) to the schools. I don't have any children why should I have to pay for yours? "

Tina wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:51 PM:

" You know, someone out there paid and educated you and your children!Our children are our future and don't ever forget that. If $6.00 is too much to educate the people who will take care of you and lead you,then just go live in a third world country with no hope for a good life when you need it the most! And by the way, David, I actually spoke to Mr. Uterhardt about the over ride, why don't you? Maybe then you won't sound so ignorant! VOTE YES FOR OUR KIDS!!! "

To Gold Dollar wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:36 AM:

" You are typical of what is negative. I am assuming you did not got to school yourself and none of your neighbors paid for your education. Must have been nice to be born with a silver spoon. Wake up attend a meeting them make a decision. Using tax dolars to educate our childrens is better than throwing it to the mortgage companies. "

Gold dollar wrote on Oct 7, 2008 8:11 AM:

" I havea idea. The parents of the cildren in attendence at Tombstone could pay $6.00 per child and pay the directly to the schoool. Instead of my property taxes going up . I have zero children I'm tired of paying for others. Money is really tight right now. Now Is NOT the time to ask the people for more money. What about the upcoming sale of the high school for 4.5 millon dollars, I understand that money goes back to the school. I think you may need to pay us. VOTE NO!!!!!! "

David wrote on Oct 7, 2008 6:56 AM:

" So the Scrool has the property it insisted on having (that they could sell) and must maintain in order to do so. Oh yes, and it has a 'budget'. When I cipher a budget, I have to make sure that my expenses DO NOT exceed my income. The Scrool systems everywhere use the word 'budget' where the word(s) 'wish list' should be used. Enough is enough. Live within your means, I must. NO MORE! Why would kids work? So they can learn to SAVE and eventually buy a clarinet, a trinket, eventually a car and a house in 20 years. "

David wrote on Oct 7, 2008 6:04 AM:

" And the Scrools spoke and said, We must have more, It IS for the Children.
The easily swayed cried and lamented and beat their chests crying, It IS for the children, the children. And the administrators and scribes and money takers saw that this was good, for it improved the odds of the passing of the powerful OVER-RIDE that would fatten their calves and wallets and they would no longer fear the dreaded Live Within Your Means. And it was so, the multitudes could not out-shout those crying (the children, the children) for the passage of the OVER-RIDE. "

Hello Wake Up David wrote on Oct 6, 2008 9:02 AM:

" As of today the property has not been sold. Why would kids have to work??? Do your self a favor sometime and go and review the Tombstone School District's budget, it's pulic info or review it on the school website. I think the bulloney is back on you. "

SO WRONG TOMKAT wrote on Oct 6, 2008 7:25 AM:

" From what I gather TOMKAT needs to attend a school board meeting. TOMKAT is out in la la land, very misinformed. I hope everyone votes YES YES YES on Nov 3rd for the sake of our students and the staff that spends numerous hours educating. These students are our future leaders. "

Eric Quimby wrote on Oct 6, 2008 7:18 AM:

" My son attended Tombstone during some of the struggling years. We need to ensure our kids as well as our neigbors kids recieve the same education we did. Times have changed it costs more money to operate. Arts are important programs. Better pay for teachers is important. You never can repay the education you recieved. We must vote YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

David wrote on Oct 6, 2008 5:29 AM:

" NO MORE! It hasn't been very long since they said that selling off the old property would save the scrool and the children. Oh my, kids may have to work after school or on weekends. GOOD! My estimated property tax increase for 2009 is way up, a 10 cent loaf of bread costs over $1, a 39 cent hamburger over $4! Enough is enough. Oh, but it's for the children and is only $6. BULLONEY! There is more than enough in the budget now, IF it was BUDGETED! Stand up and vote NO MORE! "

Taxed Out wrote on Oct 5, 2008 10:40 PM:

" Tombstone voters, don't let the "it's for the kids" group fool you. Make the district work within its budget as most of you must do. The Sierra Vista School District hoodwinked the voters for their current override and are in the process of trying the same tactic again to renew it. They took away what many parents considered important subjects to "encourage" people to vote for the override. I seem to sense the same tactic from the Tombstone management and its supporters. Don't be fooled. "

A Teacher wrote on Oct 5, 2008 9:16 PM:

" tomkat doesn't know what he/she is talking about - the high school in particular was above the state average in all 3 areas: number 1 in the county in one area (writing, I think), and 3rd/4th in the county in the other two areas. I know times are getting tougher, but the kids really need this! This is a case where the money goes directly to help the kids and not through a massive bureaucracy.
Please vote YES! "

tomkat wrote on Oct 5, 2008 4:28 PM:

" vote no. tossing good money on bad. wait until they bring up their test scores. they fall below the state average in 2of3 categories. "

As the Quote Goes wrote on Oct 5, 2008 12:11 PM:

" It will be a great day when our schools have all the money they need and the Air Force has to hold a bake sale to buy a new bomber "

SoAzNativeSaysVOTE_YES wrote on Oct 5, 2008 10:42 AM:

" Tombstone school district has squeezed their budget long enough. One after another the overrides have been turned down. Here's what I see first hand, Sierra Vista gets their money and all I see is struggling kids in the schools hanging out at their new skate park with numerous police calls to the high school in the newspaper every week, and kids in Tombstone getting better grades, working in the community, who can't even take their school books for home work because they don't have enough . Nobody wants to pay more taxes but these kids need us now. VOTE YES! "

Whetstone Resident wrote on Oct 5, 2008 10:21 AM:

" Tombstone school district residents please Vote YES, YES,YES!!!!! $6 a month is completely reasonable! The children and teachers deserve and desperately need this! Please support a brighter future for the students and vote YES!! "

Whetstone wrote on Oct 5, 2008 6:45 AM:

" Slick brochure they sent out last week. Now is not the time to add taxes on an over taxed society. Vote NO! "