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District looks to taxpayers for funding
March 4, 2004
Public schools throughout Missouri are turning to local taxpayers like never before this year for increased education funding.
According to results of a survey released this week by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 113 Missouri school districts will propose tax increases to their voters in the April 6 election. Another eight districts had tax elections in February.
That represents more than 23 percent of Missouri’s 524 public school districts, and it does not take into consideration elections scheduled for June, August or November.
Springfield Public Schools will likely ask voters on June 8 to approve a 25-cent tax levy increase over the next two years. The increase would mean the owner of a $100,000 home pays $47.50 more in annual property taxes than they currently pay.
At least 10 other local school districts may also request tax levy increases this year. Springfield’s request is among the most modest.
“After two years of cutbacks and withholdings in state aid, and with little prospect of improvement for next year, many school districts are faced with a stark choice: increase local revenues or cut staff and programs,” said Education Commissioner D. Kent King.
“I have never seen anything like the current situation in my nearly 40-year career in Missouri education,” King added.