Jackson schools to appeal for funds

With Jackson School District's financial future in jeopardy, district officials will appeal to voters for money to protect programs and staff.

During their meeting Tuesday night, the Jackson School Board approved a resolution calling for a Nov. 4 election to eliminate the district's Proposition C rollback in the operating levy.

"This won't solve any huge problems. It's really damage control to help us keep the programs and staff we've got," said superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson. "It's one way for us to get additional funds now, and maybe a better solution will come down the road."

District officials believe the move will bring in an additional $950,000 in local property tax revenue without raising taxes, as well as an additional $1 million in state funding, which is tied to the local tax rate.

"Everybody should be happy we're trying to move forward without charging them any more money," Anderson said.

Because the election would not be held until November and the annual tax levy is set every August, the change wouldn't take effect until 2004-05 if voters do approve it.

Lost funding

During the 2002 school year, the district lost an estimated $400,000 due to state budget cuts. Officials expect to lose around $1.4 million in state aid for the coming year and perhaps even more than that in 2004-05.

The result has been sweeping cutbacks within the district, from the elimination of 17 teaching positions to the postponement of maintenance projects and technology purchases.

"This amount would barely replace the money we've already lost," said assistant superintendent Jim Welker. "It's not going to mean we'll have extra cash laying around. This will just allow us to maybe get by and maintain what we have."

In 1982, Missouri voters approved a statewide one-cent sales tax known as Proposition C. The proceeds from the sales tax are distributed on a per-pupil basis annually to school districts.

Lowered levies

Originally, districts were required to lower local tax levies by one-half the amount received from Proposition C, giving local property owners a tax break while still providing a new source of funding for schools.

In the past 20 years, 85 percent of Missouri school districts have obtained Proposition C waivers, which allow them to receive the sales tax funding without lowering the local tax levy. The waivers result in an increase in property taxes and cannot be done without voter approval.

In Jackson's case, officials say there would be no tax increase because the district plans to shift money from the debt service fund, which goes toward paying off bond issues, to the operating levy to offset the Proposition C rollback and maintain the current $3.31 per $100 assessed valuation tax rate.

By refinancing three bond issues in the past two years, Anderson said the district has saved money that now allows them to lower the debt service.

If voters approve the measure, approximately 35 cents will be moved from the debt service to the operating levy, which goes toward general operating costs, to offset the rollback amount and avoid increasing taxes.

Without that money, the possibility that the district will be forced to eliminate student-related programs greatly increases, Anderson said.

"We've done all of the things we can think of to be conservative," Anderson said. "Everything will be in jeopardy, not just in Jackson but in a lot of districts, if more funding isn't found soon."

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128