Alpine district proposes tax increase

(Daily Herald) Brace yourself, if you live in Alpine School District. The words "tax increase" were uttered by board members on Tuesday.

At a minimum, a new high school, middle school, and five elementary schools need to be built, as well as additional classroom space at existing schools, district staff told elected officials. Price tag: $200 million. And that does not include more than $100 million in upgrades to existing schools, and other needs.

Voters approved $230 million for the district in 2006.

District officials were at pains on Tuesday to emphasize that the numbers are preliminary, and there is still months of discussion to go. But tentatively, they are looking toward a $230 million bond issue in 2011, paid for through property taxes, which would have to be approved by voters.

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