Parents lend support to Clark County School District’s property tax question

“My daughter stood in water up to her knees in the locker room when it rained a couple weeks ago,” she said of Knudson Middle School in southeast Las Vegas, which will receive a major modernization if the ballot question passes Nov. 6. It would raise up to $720 million over six years for improvements at 41 schools, including two replacement schools and two new schools.

Like the 60 others at the Valley High School meeting, the mother of five didn’t attend to complain or be persuaded to vote yes. She wanted to volunteer for the cause. As she left, she squeezed about a dozen “Vote yes on 2” signs under her arm. Every question from audience members was supportive. They asked whether school improvements would increase surrounding homeowners’ property values and wanted to know whether jobs would be created.

The district didn’t have to win over votes at the town hall meeting, but it obtained something every campaign needs – passionate volunteers.

And the district needs them more than most races do because the law prohibits the district from campaigning, Associate Superintendent Joyce Haldeman said. The district can only provide information when asked.

If the question is approved, the tax rate, which stands at 55 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for public schools, would increase by about 21 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to generate up to $720 million. The owner of a home assessed at $100,000 would see a property tax increase of $74.20.

The district can’t spend public money on fliers. Instead, officials are trying to find a parent leader for each school to rally support among other parents. But volunteers are still needed at many schools, Haldeman said.

The district also held a Tuesday night town hall meeting, hosted by County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly and Assemblywoman Lucy Flores, D-Las Vegas, at Rancho High School. Less than a dozen community members attended.

Despite the district’s limitations, fliers are being mailed by a PAC called the School Improvement Committee, formed by four former Nevada first ladies to pass the tax initiative. The group has raised about $23,700, according to reports filed with the secretary of state on June 8.

All the contributions come from construction and architecture companies currently under contract with the district, according to Nevada Policy Research Institute, a think tank that has opposed the tax increase. Pugsley Simpson Coulter Architects, Sletten Construction of Nevada, and McCarthy Building Companies each gave $5,000.

Sletten received 60 construction warrants worth nearly $139 million between January 2009 and December 2011, according to the institute’s research into district records.

Pugsley Simpson Coulter has received $41 million since 2002. Pugsley has also donated $14,500 to board members since 1998, including current members Deanna Wright, Erin Cranor and Carolyn Edwards.

McCarthy Building has received 53 construction warrants since 2009, worth $144 million, and is working on construction projects at Valley and Clark high schools.

Contact reporter Trevon Milliard at tmilliard@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.