KELSO SCHOOL TAX MAY DOUBLE IN TWO YEARS, THANKS TO SB 380

NEW HAMBURG -- Voters in the Kelso C-7 School District are being asked to raise their taxes once again, thanks to Senate Bill 380, Missouri's sweeping education funding and reform law.

If voters say yes to the $1.23 increase on April 5, the tax rate in the district will have more than doubled in two years time to $2.75. In 1992-93, the tax rate was $1.25.

Superintendent Darryl Sauer says the district has no choice but to ask for the increase. Senate Bill 380 requires that all districts levy a minimum levy of $2.75 by the 1994-95 school year.

"It's a big jump," Sauer admitted. "But when they tell you to do it, we really don't have a choice."

If the school district does not have a $2.75 levy, it could mean the end of the Kelso C-7 school.

If the tax rate is not raised to $2.75, Senate Bill 380 has provisions to close down the district as soon as the 1996-97 school year. Immediately, Sauer explained, the district's state funding could be cut in half, from $240,000 to $120,000.

"If they say no we have some options," Sauer said. "We will look at bringing the issue back to the voters or look into possibly being annexed by a neighboring school district.

"The thing is, no matter where the children go to school, they will pay at least $2.75. Some places they would pay a lot more."

Last summer, the board voted to raise the levy to the temporary, Senate Bill 380-imposed minimum levy of $2.

This time, Sauer said, the school board is asking voters to approve the hike. "The board could make this decision also," Sauer said. "But they want input from the people."

In October, voters overwhelmingly approved a waiver of the Proposition C rollback. However, the voter approved tax rate still stands at $1.52.

In December, state Auditor Margaret Kelly's office sent out news releases explaining that in her opinion 10 school districts, including Kelso C-7, unconstitutionally increased taxes by raising them without a public vote. State education officials said the new law required the increases and schools were right to raise taxes.

"Her idea was just a suggestion," Sauer said. "But this vote would make her happy."

Sauer said the new money which has come to district as a result of the increase to $2 this year has been used to eliminate combination classrooms. Now, each grade level, kindergarten through eighth-grade, has it's own classroom and teacher.

"We had been deficit spending. This year it looks like we will have a balanced budget," Sauer said.

The district has 167 students in grades kindergarten through eight. In addition, it pays tuition for 75 high school students to attend area high schools.

School officials have held informational meetings in New Hamburg and Kelso to try to explain the reason for the tax increase. Sauer will be speaking to the school's PTO and sending a letter home to parents.

"I think they realize it's mandated by law."

"This is really a vote for the district," Sauer said. "Do the people want to keep the district going. I've received a lot of positive feedback. I think people do."