© 2024 Aspen Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Property tax passes for Aspen schools; incumbents get re-elected

  

Voters have approved question 3A in a 69 to 31 percent margin, which continues a property tax to fund the Aspen School District. Aspen Public Radio’s Carolyn Sackariason reports.

  3,119 people voted for the ballot measure and 1,421 against. The question asked voters to approve a $991,000 mill-levy override to help the district close the $1 million budget shortfall it faces for the next school year. It’s estimated the district will have to close a $4 million gap during the next five years.

John Maloy is superintendent of schools. He says without the tax revenue, budget cuts would be inevitable.

“We certainly are excited that once again the community has stepped up and supported the Aspen schools, not only community schools but our high quality teachers and our high quality programs,” he says.

In other Aspen school election news, incumbents Sandra Peirce and Sheila Wills won the majority of votes in the board of education race and secured their second terms. Peirce received just over 28 percent of the vote and Wills garnered over 25 percent. They ran against three other candidates, Mary Houchin, Margeaux Johansson and Lee Mulcahy.

In other Pitkin County election news, ballot question 1A has passed with a resounding 92 percent of the vote. With an affirmative vote, Pitkin county is now allowed to explore options for creating a public internet option.

Aspen Valley Hospital will also continue to receive funding after ballot question 5A passed with more than 70 percent of the vote. A mill levy tax will continue for five additional years and will be used to help fund hospital services.

Carolyn Sackariason, Aspen Public Radio news.