Ballot measures threaten Sisters school budgets

More school financial woes loom if two ballot proposals coming up in the November general election pass, according to Sisters School Superintendent Steve Swisher.

Measure 47, often called the "cut and cap" measure, would reduce the Sisters School District budget by an estimated $572,000 a year.

Measure 46 would render it virtually impossible to pass bond issues in the future, according to Swisher.

Volunteer donations to the district, made in conjunction with property tax payments, would not be affected by the measure, however, he said.

These measures come at a time when the school district is trying to find ways to make up for a $130,000 shortfall. The district, according to Swisher, no longer qualified for funds under what is called the "small school correction (SSC)."

He said two factors caused the loss--legislation changing the formula, and the fact that the school district enrollment increased beyond 1,000, the limit for the SSC funds. The school will receive about $40,000 in new revenue as a result of increased enrollment in the district, however, partially making up the loss.

Ballot Measure 46 proposes that the Oregon Constitution bar passage of tax increases and other revenue measures unless a majority of registered voters approves.

Swisher points out that many elections have a turnout of fewer than 50 percent of the registered voters. In cases like this everyone voting could vote yes and the measure would still fail, he said.

Enrollment growth in Sisters this year necessitated renting additional classrooms at the Baptist Church adjacent to the mid/high school. Swisher said a bond issue to fund school expansions could be presented to voters as early as next year. Such a bond issue would be virtually doomed by Measure 46, he said.

Swisher and other local government officials question the constitutionality of Measure 46, should it pass. It is not right, they contend, that every registered voter who does not vote is, in effect, casting a "no vote," regardless of how that person feels about an issue.

Measure 47 is also a constitutional amendment proposal. It would limit 1997-98 property taxes to the 1995-96 tax minus 10 per cent, and limit future increases to 3 percent (half of that currently permitted.)

In terms of actual dollars, the district's current property tax revenue is $3.64 million. The 1995-96 property tax figure was $3.09. Ten percent of that ($309,000) from $3.64 and the loss, rounded off, is more than $572,000.

Swisher has not speculated on what measures the district would have to take to deal with $572,000 in lost revenue. He said one usually looks at personnel salaries as a place to reduce costs. It could lead to cuts of 10 or more teachers.

Both measures affect not only school districts, but community colleges, cities, counties and fire districts.