SCHOOL DISTRICT: Voters green-light bond

MAT-SU — Voters approved a $19 million ballot initiative Tuesday that will upgrade the Mat-Su Borough School District’s safety and security infrastructure. The approval of Proposition 3 will jump-start upgrades at the district’s 42 schools.

The purpose for security upgrades comes largely from the age of many schools trying to catch up with new technology and processes, according to a school district release. The district also cites a survey that says parents are often most concerned about their children’s safety while those children are at school.

“It gives us an opportunity to really upgrade and improve the security and the safety issues for all our students,” district spokeswoman Catherine Esary said Tuesday night in response to Tuesday’s vote.

Property tax payers in the Mat-Su Borough will see a $6.07 increase in their taxes for every $100,000 of assessed value following the voter approval.

Because the district was asking residents to dip deeper into their pockets, and news of the nation’s recent economic troubles, school board member Jim Colver said he was nervous about the proposition’s chances.

“I was not optimistic after news of the last couple days that the voters would be a little hesitant to spend money,” Colver said.

The 4,440 yes votes that carried the proposition over 3,286 “no” votes shows voters are interested in education, Colver said.

The state has agreed to pick up 70 percent of the price tag for the upgrades, which include security gates at all schools, duress alarm panic buttons, keyless lock entries and replacing Palmer High School’s original roof, among others.

Esary said the safety and security improvements will now become part of the school board’s strategic plan for the district.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.