I read the article in the Tooele Transcript-Bulletin titled “District to bond for $25M for a learning center,” on Nov. 13. I was pleased to see this, until I read that we were going to bond for it. Instead of entering into debt in these perilous times, we should be looking at other options. School districts generate most of their revenue from county property taxes — residential and commercial. What happens when taxes on foreclosed properties are not collected? The district loses. I doubt we’ll ever see a dramatic decline in property values, but it’s possible. What if values remain flat? Our ability to meet our obligations depends on a steady increase in value, thus creating an increase in revenue. The state’s analysts say the economy is slowing three times faster than expected. UDOT has stopped working on major projects. Lower state revenue will impact all school districts. If that happens and we are in debt, without sufficient capital we will be faced with several options. First, default on the payment. Second, raise taxes to cover the shortfall. Third, take money from other school programs. I know I don’t have all the facts. Richard Reese and Maria Rockwell at the school district would be excellent sources of information. We haven’t seen the end of this crisis. The district should build only what we can afford, and stay out of debt with my money.

Jerry Powers

Stansbury Park