Rio Rancho to vote on bond & mill levy

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) - Rio Rancho residents will vote Tuesday on a bond and mill levy that will be like no other in that city.

The Rio Rancho school district has been around for 18 years and for the first time in its history, Tuesday’s $50-million bond and two-mill levy election will ask residents to fund school maintenance, rather than new schools.

Lincoln Middle School is 30 years old. It was an APS school that RRPS absorbed into its district.

If the bond is approved, Lincoln would get funds for a new gym and technology services.

The district says approval of the bond and mill levies is especially important, because the state has eliminated funding for technology and has cut funding for teaching and learning by about 12.5% over the last two years.
Essentially, schools have used most of their money to keep teachers and programs.

Bond Committee Chair, Bob Gallagher, says the money will allow the district to start maintaining the schools, upgrade heating and air conditioning, replace windows, security systems and interior design.

One new school in the plans is Joe Harris Elementary named after a sheriff's sergeant killed in the line of duty.

The project requires state matching funds and the district says that could take a few years.

Rio Rancho voters have passed every bond issue since the district was created 18 years ago.

Approval of the bond and mill levy questions will not increase the current property tax rates. The levy will generate $3 million to $4 million each year for six years, based on property values.

Voter turnouts for these types of elections are light. In 2005, less than 10% of registered voters in Sandoval County cast ballots.