Altenburg faces tax vote on new school

Voters in the Altenburg School District will decide Tuesday whether to approve an increase in their property tax levy to build a new school.

Dubbed Proposition Safe Schools by the district, the measure would generate $1.9 million for a consolidated building to house kindergarten through eighth grade by raising the tax levy from 3.6 to 4.3 cents per $100 of assessed property value. A similar proposal -- albeit with a slightly higher levy -- failed in 2010. As proposed, the levy would sunset in 2032.

Bleau Deckerd, the school district's superintendent, has said a new school is needed to improve safety and accessibility. Currently the four buildings that make up the school district have at least 14 entrances, which school officials have deemed unsafe because children must walk between buildings for classes and not all doors can be watched. The schools also are without a storm shelter.

A new building also would provide the district's total of just more than 100 students with enough space, officials say.

Some people oppose the measure for a variety of reasons. Earlier last week, an anonymous person or group sent a flier to residents in the district, attempting to discourage them from voting for the tax increase by pointing out the district would have the highest levy in the area; a lack of concrete plans for the current buildings should they be vacated; and several other claims, including there is not enough oversight of taxpayer funds that go to the school district.

Property tax levies for other nearby districts per $100 assessed property value are as follows: 4.1 cents in Cape Girardeau; 3.8 cents in Jackson; and 3.2 cents in Perry County District 32. Perry County residents within the Oak Ridge School District pay 2.9 cents; Cape Girardeau County residents pay 3.6 cents.

A resident of the district, Dorothy France, also recently sent a letter regarding the school proposal to the Southeast Missourian. In it, France asked whether the district residents can afford a tax increase.

"Many are already strapped with huge utility and medical expenses," France wrote.

In the letter, France alleges that not all planned

actions to improve security at the school have been implemented, including using a basement in one of the district's buildings as a storm shelter.

France was not reachable by phone for additional comment Friday.

A simple majority of voters will be required for the measure to pass. The school board unanimously endorsed the higher levy.

If it passes, plans call for the new school to be built on 10 acres the district owns along Route C.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

8432 Main St., Altenburg, M0