'No fat to cut': Meadow Heights School District puts tax increase before voters Aug. 3 to make up part of shortfall from state

PATTON, Mo. -- Teachers did not get raises. Bus purchases were delayed. Six and a half teaching and staff positions were cut.

"We are well past the easy cuts and into the hard cuts now," said Meadow Heights superintendent Rob Huff.

School districts across the state are taking different approaches to their budget woes, but one Southeast Missouri district will pose a question to its residents Aug. 3. Voters in the Meadow Heights School District will consider a 50-cent increase per $100 assessed valuation for the operating tax levy. It is currently at the minimum required by the state, $2.75 per $100 assessed valuation.

If passed, the total district tax rate, which also includes 35 cents levied to pay off debt, would be $3.60 per $100 assessed valuation. The measure needs a simple majority to pass.

The last time district voters went to the polls for a ballot issue was four years ago to approve a $1.5 million bond issue that did not increase the tax rate. Huff said the current ballot issue would raise $150,000 for the district. Still, it is not enough to make up for the $250,000 cut from the current budget.

Elzie Rhodes, transportation director at Meadow Heights School, performs preventive maintenance on one of the district's 15 school buses July 15. (Fred Lynch)

The district's $4.6 million budget reflects a $75,000 drop in state transportation funding and a $48,000 drop in what it was supposed to receive in formula funding. Statewide, districts prepared for a 4 percent cut in formula funds.

Like other districts, Meadow Heights is facing challenges with Career Ladder and Parents as Teachers, programs that also saw state cutbacks.

"I don't know that we were pessimistic enough," Huff said of the district's budget.

Cutting teachers poses a special problem for smaller districts like Meadow Heights.

"For a small district, that can mean a significant increase in class sizes," Huff said.

Two full-time teaching positions were cut, one at the high school level and one at the elementary. Board member Bob Fulton said two classes were combined at the elementary level because of the cut.

"To me, that was the toughest one to swallow," he said.

Given the reductions and others predicted for the future, school officials said they wanted to give the community a chance to weigh in on the matter.

"If it doesn't pass, the people have spoke," board member Robert Wilson said.

The district held the first of three informational sessions Tuesday. Others will be Thursday at Sedgewickville United Methodist Church and Monday at the school. Both meetings are at 7 p.m.

"I just hope the voters will understand there's no fat to cut out of this school," Fulton said. "I don't feel like we've been cutting fat, but we're cutting muscle now."

District officials considered another bond issue to increase energy efficiency and make HVAC improvements. Huff said those issues were addressed with a grant through the Department of Natural Resources. The improvements will save the district between $20,000 and $30,000 annually, he said.

District officials said they intend to give taxpayers another break and reduce the debt service tax rate by 10 cents. The district can reduce the amount needed to pay off district debt but could not use the money for other purposes, like salaries, Fulton said.

Huff said the extra funds will help support goals to improve district performance but that the district must do what is necessary to balance the budget either way.

When Huff took over the district's top position in 2006, he said he set several goals. Last year the district received its first Distinction in Performance award from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the graduation rate is ticking upward.

"We're going to keep the bar up there," he said.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

Route 1 Box 2365, Patton, MO