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Provo resident urges board to address low proficiency rates and property tax burden
Summary
During public comment Cortene Lisonbee told the board she is concerned about proficiency rates (reported about 42–48%) and questioned whether property-tax spending is producing expected academic outcomes, asking the board about accountability and tax reduction possibilities.
At the Dec. 9 Provo City School District Board meeting, Cortene Lisonbee (Sunset Elementary boundary) used the public-input period to raise concerns about student proficiency rates and the local property tax burden. Lisonbee said she had recently completed a property tax payment and questioned whether current spending yields sufficient academic results. She cited proficiency rates she characterized as "below, like, 42 to 48%" and asked what accountability measures the board is using to improve outcomes.
"If the proficiency rates are indicating that education is happening, then why am I paying my property taxes?" Lisonbee asked, adding that she homeschools some grandchildren and would like to see tax relief if district spending is not producing results. She also noted the family's cumulative degrees and certificates but said concern remains about district proficiency data.
Board President Jennifer Partridge thanked Lisonbee and offered to follow up, noting the district’s strategic plan adopted about a year earlier prioritizes student achievement. Partridge said the board recognizes the relationship between financial decisions and taxpayer impact and offered to direct staff to follow up and point Lisonbee to past meetings where proficiency was discussed.
No immediate policy or budget change was made in response to the comment; the board recorded the concern and offered follow-up communication.
