Board of Education: No break for residents this year on school taxes

Taxpayers within the Cape Girardeau School District got lucky last year, board members say. The tax break residents saw in 2007 after a "paperwork mistake" has since been corrected, and residents will see bills reflecting a higher tax levy this year.

On Monday, board members set the tax rate for the year at $4.16 per $100 of assessed valuation. Last year, the board approved the same tax rate but an error by the former director of finance resulted in residents only being charged $4.03 per $100 of assessed valuation. The mistake resulted in the district losing out on about $700,000.

The new director of finance, Misty Clifton, has assured board members a similar mistake will not occur this year.

"This will get us back to what the rate was in '06 to '07," Clifton said before the board's approval.

The increase is being directed mainly toward the debt service fund, as the district prepares for a possible no-tax-increase bond issue as early as April 2010. Administrators are currently developing a long-term facilities and financial plan to dictate needs.

A return to a higher levy will not have a significant effect on individuals. Last year, a resident with a home valued at $100,000 paid $765.40 in school taxes. This year he or she will pay $789.77, an increase of $24.37.

In total, the district will collect about $22.6 million from local taxes, an increase of nearly $1 million more than last year.

"In conjunction with the prepaying of bonds this year, this puts us in a position to go forward with a good-sized bond issue depending on needs," said Superintendent Dr. Jim Welker.

At a meeting following the special session to set the tax rate, the board approved the program Project Lead the Way, which are classes offered at the Career and Technology Center to expose students to engineering concepts.

The board was set to approve a policy regarding intradistrict transfers, but decided to send the issue back to committee. The policy would have allowed students who move within the district to continue attending their original elementary school through completion, if parents provide transportation. Board members had complained a previous policy left too much "gray area" and said while the new policy is improved, it still needs clarity.

"We will ask the committee to, in particular, define residency and we will bring the policy back next month for a final reading," said Kyle McDonald, board president.

Lastly, the board approved a $41,401 bid from Hi-Tech Communication to purchase and install a sound system in the junior high auditorium. A professional development plan outlining school goals and strategies was also approved.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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