JACKSON VOTERS WILL CONSIDER SCHOOL TAX; THREE VIE FOR BOARD

JACKSON -- Voters here will decide Tuesday on a proposed 35 cent increase in the Jackson School District tax levy that officials say could prevent a fiscal crisis, and elect two candidates to the school board.

The four incumbent aldermen whose terms expire this month are all unopposed for re-election.

School Superintendent Wayne Maupin says the levy increase will keep the financial wolves away from the door and prevent a fiscal crisis similar to others now occurring in many Southeast Missouri school districts.

Maupin said declining state aid is the major reason for the current financial pinch the Jackson school district, and other school districts in the state, find themselves in. He said the decline in state funding for teacher salaries and benefits has already forced the district to shift monies from its general fund to the special fund to cover a projected $200,000 deficit in that fund.

"The 35-cent increase in the levy would simply keep the district out of a deficit spending situation, and allow us to maintain the current staff and programs, and hopefully, put us into a position where we can restore at least a minimal balance in all our fund accounts," Maupin explained.

The current tax levy ceiling is $3.20. Of that amount, 58 cents is rolled back under the requirements of Proposition C, leaving a net tax levy of $2.62. The district also operates with a 22-cent debt service levy, which brings the current actual tax levy to $2.84 per $100 assessed valuation.

If the increase is approved, the tax ceiling would go up to $3.55; but under the rollback requirements of Proposition C, the actual tax levy would be about $3.19.

The exact amount of the tax won't be determined until late this summer, when the state auditor's office approves the exact amount of the rollback, and the school board sets the tax levy at its first August meeting.

Maupin said the 35-cent increase would raise the property tax on a $50,000 home in Jackson about $33.25 a year.

In addition, three candidates are vying for the two seats to be filled on the school board Tuesday. All of the school board candidates have expressed support for the 35-cent levy increase.

Incumbent Jeanette Bollinger, a retired programming assistant with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is completing a one-year, unexpired term on the board and is running for a full term. The other candidates are Marvin Adams, an insurance agent and former educator, and Mark Martin, a claims manager for a local insurance company.

Senior incumbent board member, John Lorberg, is retiring from the board after serving 13 years.

The city aldermen who are unopposed for re-election are: Ward 1 Alderman and Mayor Pro Tem David Ludwig, Ward 2 Alderman Phil Johnston, Ward 3 Alderman Glenn Oldham, and Ward 4 Alderman LeRoy Brown.