JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD EYES `SURVIVAL' TAX HIKE

JACKSON -- The Jackson School District Board of Education Jan. 28 will consider a "minimal, survival," 35-cent increase in the district's operating levy. If approved, the issue would go on the April ballot.

If voters approve the issue, the levy would increase to $3.19 per $100 of assessed valuation.

In the wake of the defeat last fall of Proposition B and in light of stagnant state funding for elementary and secondary schools the proposal submitted during Tuesday's board meeting by Superintendent Wayne Maupin came as no surprise to board members.

Maupin said the proposed increase would enable the district to maintain its current staff and educational programs, with no new teachers or programs.

"It's a minimum, maintenance levy," he said. "It will keep us from deficit spending and keep our heads above water."

School board members reacted favorably to the tax increase. Board member Dr. T. Wayne Lewis called the 35-cent increase a "survival" measure, and Jack Knowlan Jr., president of the board, said the increase was appropriate. "If it was higher we would have trouble selling it to the voters," he added.

The current operating levy is $2.84, of which 69 cents is earmarked for debt service and lease/purchase payments on the district's new school buildings built last year, Maupin said.

"That actually leaves only $2.15 to pay all the bills and operate the district," he said.

Maupin said the district's student population has grown to about 3,500 students, but revenues have failed to keep pace with increased enrollment.

In a two-page memo to the board, Maupin said that in the past year the district has tightened its budget belt and already has dipped into year-end fund balances to pay general operating costs.

He said the district also is deficit spending in some funding categories because of continually declining state appropriations.

"This trend cannot continue much longer," said Maupin. "We are nearing the end of the time when we can continue to do that."

The superintendent said the district has made as many cuts as it can without endangering the basic educational program in the schools.

"We cannot make any more significant expenditure reductions without adversely affecting the academic program," he said. "Our public has high expectations of our district, and we want to continue to meet those expectations."

Maupin said many districts in the state have opted to go for much larger increases, ranging from 50 to 90 cents.

"We're asking for a minimal increase that, tied in with prudent financial management in the district, will not jeopardize our basic education program we offer our students," he added.

Maupin the issue must be addressed now, while there is still time. "If we wait, and fail to act, this district could wind up in a very deep financial hole from which it would take years to climb out," he said.

Maupin said that with the proposed levy and through "conservative financial management and preventative measures," the school district will be able to avoid the kind of "financial crisis" faced by many Missouri schools.

"The bottom line is that the district must have more revenue to maintain the current programs and staff," he said.