LEWIS-PALMER SCHOOL DISTRICT 38

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Oct 17, 1999

BOARD OF EDUCATION

(District 2, four-year term, vote for one)

JEFFERY M. FERGUSON

Age: 52

Education: Doctorate in business, 1981, Arizona State University

Occupation: Business professor, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Related experience: Lewis-Palmer board member since 1987; father of two Lewis-Palmer graduates; former member, school and district Accountability Committees

How to reach him:

jferguso@mail.uccs.edu

KEY ISSUES

Funding: Very definitely an issue. We are asking voters to approve two tax ballot questions to tap into a stream of funds we have never had. That's important because our parents have very high expectations, which means we need to continually be increasing the quality of educational opportunities, and that requires more funds.

Growth: A challenge. We've got a growth plan that looks at what the district will be like at complete build-out. We've tried to identify where we will need schools, the time frame and our bonding capacity so we can at least keep up with growth and have the educational facilities available when kids show up.

Top priority: To implement some of the new programs such as smaller class sizes in K-3, alternative high school and night high school. Also, to continue our efforts to have more one-on-one time between staff and students to provide opportunities for students to feel connected to their schools.

(District 4, four-year term, vote for one)

MICHAEL L. BURRIS

Age: 45

Education: Master's degree in systems management, 1985, University of Southern California

Occupation: Program manager, Science Applications International Corp.

Related experience: Lewis-Palmer board member since 1991; father of one graduate and two students in Lewis-Palmer schools; former PTO president, Kilmer Elementary

How to reach him: 481-2285

KEY ISSUES

Funding: A key issue in all Colorado school districts. During the next decade, state aid to schools is expected to be relatively flat. To not only maintain but improve our programs, it is necessary to go to voters with tax ballot questions. Already, 50 percent of Colorado students are educated in districts where voters have passed tax questions.

Growth: Our district has grown from 2,300 to 4,300 students in the past decade, about 6 percent to 7 percent each year. We're forecasting that will continue. We have a facilities master plan for the next 20 years. The tools are in place to accommodate the growth. We will continue to be vigilant and modify as necessary.

Top priority: To continue the pursuit of excellence. I think we are a very good district, but we can improve. Not only the board members but the administrative team and the teaching staff all want to continue to improve.

(District 5, four-year term, vote for one)

TOMMIE T. PLANK

Age: 55

Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing, 1966, University of Oklahoma

Occupation: Owner, Covered Treasures Bookstore in Monument

Related experience: Lewis-Palmer board member since 1991; parent of one graduate; former computer instructor in Lewis-Palmer schools

How to reach her: 495-3819 home; email covrdtreas@aol.com

KEY ISSUES

Funding: Funding is definitely a problem. Our state has cut funding to schools, and we now rank in the bottom quarter of states in terms of education funding. Our district is addressing that by asking voters to approve tax ballot questions to fund two new schools and to address academic needs.

Growth: We have nearly doubled our numbers in the past 11 years, and we continue to grow at a rate of about 5 percent each year. We need a new middle school and a new elementary - and it looks as if growth is going to continue at this rate for some time.

Top priority: Planning for growth because we believe in trying to plan as far into the future as is logical and possible. My other priority is to keep our schools safe for our children to learn and our teachers to work.LEWIS-PALMER DISTRICT 38

TAX INCREASE AND TABOR EXEMPTION

MEASURE 3A

SUMMARY: Seeks to increase taxes and exempt that money from limits imposed by the Taxpayers Bill of Rights.

KEY PROVISIONS

Would increase tax collections by up to $4 million annually.

Would require the money to be spent on elementary reading programs, staffing to reduce class size and to cover new schools, expansion of gifted programs and textbooks and other materials.

Would exempt the money from TABOR limits.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

PRO: Whether you have children in school or not, we must all take a role in supporting education. Children are our investment in the future. One of the main attractions to this community has been the school district's reputation. This has added value. Nothing you do for children is ever wasted.

CON: None available.

WHO'S FOR IT: Board of education; Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce; D- 38 Bond Committee, www.leptonic.com/D38

WHO'S AGAINST IT: Unknown

BOND ISSUE

MEASURE 3B

SUMMARY: Seeks permission to borrow $23 million to build new schools and improve existing buildings and grounds.

KEY PROVISIONS

Would increase taxes $2.5 million per year.

Would borrow $23 million with a repayment cost of almost $54 million.