I appreciate a recent Park Record article on Park City School District financial-related decisions and actions. Note there is a broader school district financial topic that warrants similar public discourse.
Why was it necessary to approve the recent tax increase when the following is true per Park City School District’s own information?
- Budget inflation annual increase of 11.5% past five years vs. 4.4% baseline inflation.
- The amount spent on Administration has increased substantially and with zero economies of scale.
- Budget has increased substantially even with stagnant/declining student population.
- Spending per student has increased substantially and is significantly higher than the rest of state and is even higher than high-tax states like California.
- The Park City School District assessment represents 69% of total property tax assessment, starving out other critical tax revenue needs.
Note that all of the above is post the required Park City School District’s revenue share with the state.
Local citizens are being overwhelmed with higher inflation rates of government-type services. And essentially the average person’s standard-of living is eroding due to unexamined and unconstrained spending like the Park City School District’s.
Press like The Park Record’s role in examining public finance is essential to ensure our community strikes the right balance in such matters.
Bart Hughes
Park City