At the April 10th board meeting, both the Alta School Board and Aurelia School Board unanimously approved moving forward with the reorganization petition and collecting signatures. In my opinion,this is a HUGE step forward for our school districts and communities. Click HERE for a link to the petition.
Our goal is 400 signatures from Alta residents and 300 signatures from Aurelia residents. Once those goals are achieved, the process moves forward for the AEA's to approve the petition and hold their required meetings. Right now, the target date for a vote is September 2017. If that becomes a bit too aggressive, we would look at February 2018.
The reorganization would go into effect with 2019-20 school year.
Copies of the formal petition, talking points, and signatures sheets are located in all of our school offices. If you are a resident of either the Alta School District or the Aurelia School District, at least 18 years old, and a U. S. citizen, you can sign the signature page yourself. A signature indicates that you are in agreement with the reorganization going to a vote of the people, not that you agree with the reorganization or that you aggree with the wording or the petition.
Reorganization Talking Points:
Long-Term Stability. - When you are sharing, the contract can be undone by a vote of the school boards. Reorganization eliminates any reservations about separating in the future. This creates a long-term, stable environment for students, parents and faculty.
Property Tax Relief - rates are reduced the first year of reorganization by $1 and return to normal incrementally over a three year period of time. Year 4 is back to normal, so three years of property tax relief
Alta Debt Service Levy – The current Alta School District has a Debt Service Levy (Bond Issue). That bond issue will continue to be paid by residents of the current Alta School District until it is paid off completely. Currently $1.20. Ends 2021. Current Aurelia School District residents will not have their tax rates affected by this levy, even after the reorganization.
Jointly Employed Whole Grade Sharing Incentives - By passing reorganization prior to these incentives sun setting (FY2019), they will carry over for an additional 3 years after the reorganization (roughly 1/2 a million dollars in financial incentives we would not otherwise be able to gain over that period of time)
Current Grade Alignments to Remain Intact – For students, teaching staff, and parents the school system will continue to function immediately after the reorganization just as it currently operates with grades 9-12 in Alta, grades 5-8 in Aurelia and each maintaining a PK-4 elementary. No immediate changes are foreseen.
The Final New 5 Member School Board Will Be Comprised of Current Board Members – Once their terms begin to expire, all board seats will be filled “at-large.” Candidates must live within the boundaries of the newly formed Alta-Aurelia School District.
