The Re-1 school board agreed Tuesday night on wording for a November ballot question that seeks voter permission to continue a mill-levy increase that was approved in 1993 but which is set to expire this year. The tax financed a now-completed expansion project at the Cortez Middle School.

That project will be paid off in December, at which point the 5.1-mill increase used to finance bonds for the $6 million project officially expires. But the board hopes to retain a mill of 5.0 for the next three years in order to fund special building and technology needs for the 3,350-student school district.

The mill-levy continuation would bring in an estimated $900,000 in additional taxes per year for the next three years, assuming assessed value on property from which it is derived from stays where it is now.

The estimated $2.7 million total would not be used for financing debt service in the form of bonds, explained Re-1 Superintendent Bill Thompson. Rather, the taxes would be spent as they came in, pumping up resources for technology and space needs.

"We’re not using them for backing a bond," he said. "As the tax comes in, it will be spent. People are already paying it now, so we are asking them to continue with that."

Under a priority plan drawn up by the board and Re-1 staff, the money would be spent on the following.

For the first year:

•  $240,000 to replace antiquated boiler systems at Downey and Beech Street schools.

•  $150,000 to replace school-district bleachers that are not in compliance with the American Disabilities Act.

•  $50,000 for modifying two retractable backboards for safety purposes at MCHS.

•  $310,000 for classrooms at Downey Elementary, which has been suffering from crowded classrooms.

•  $80,000 for replacing asbestos flooring and for re-carpeting at Kemper.

•  $92,000 for modifying the bus drop-off on the southwest corner of MCHS. The improvement is needed to alleviate congestion problems there with cars, buses and pedestrians.

During the second year, the mill-levy funds being requested would be spent as follows:

•  $102,000 for replacing aging windows and doors at Downey.

•  $437,000 for adding reading and technology classrooms at Lewis-Arriola, plus a counselor’s office, library, music room and for remodeling the kitchen there.

•  $59,000 for carpet-replacement and asbestos-abatement at Manaugh.

•  $180,000 for two new classrooms at Manaugh, which is experiencing a space crunch.

•  $125,000 for an additional classroom and bathroom at Re-1’s pre-school facility.

For the third year:

•  $730,000 for adding five classrooms and two bathrooms onto MCHS, plus remodeling the home-economics room.

•  $248,000 for three new classrooms at Mesa.

"We’re faced with a certain amount of repairs and upkeep as we watch our grade schools grow and classrooms become stretched," said Re-1 Board President Steve Hinton of the mill-levy request. "Our endeavor to keep up with technology is also a big priority that needs to be dealt with."

Re-1 Business Manager Jim Riffey said that the request for a continuation of the mill levy to pay for capital improvements on a yearly basis is more fiscally responsible than using it to back a large bond repaid over many years.

"Our community is a more pay-as-you-go electorate," he said. "Doing it this way is more prudent because you’re not paying out all the interest and bonding costs."