PERRYVILLE DISTRICT ASKING FOR TAX HIKE

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Programs in Perryville schools will be cut during the next school year even if voters approve a tax levy increase in August.

The school board is seeking voter approval of a 25-cent increase to the operating levy to raise an additional $530,000 annually for operating expenses.

The current levy, at $2.70, is a nickel below state minimum levels but was grandfathered in because of issues with local assessed valuation, said schools superintendent Stephen Doerr.

He said funds from the levy increase would be a boost to the annual $16 million budget, but the money would only slow a deficit spending pattern that has developed in recent years.

Doerr said the school board opted not to seek a larger tax issue because members "wanted to make sure we had a levy proposal out there that was something the community could support."

He could face another uphill battle. Voters have rejected school district tax increases in the past two years.

Edna Colin, 72, said she won't support a tax increase of any size.

"I feel like we pay enough in taxes," Colin said. She said she works hard to be able to afford insurance and other necessities and doesn't have any money to spare.

A public meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday to help school board members prioritize budget cuts that will occur during the next school year.

"They're looking at everything," Doerr said. "The decision is definite, though, that we're short of funds, and we have to request those additional dollars."

Instructional and extra-curricular programs are the obvious reduction areas, Doerr said.

A total of nine teaching positions were eliminated last year in efforts to free up money for other expenses. As a result, Doerr said classroom enrollments are at or near the state's minimum standards for class size.

Exceeding those standards could impact the district's accreditation, he said.

"We'll address those programs that may not be required" for state accreditation, including preschool and adult education, athletic teams and band, Doerr said. "At this point, the board has pretty much said salaries are frozen."

Maintenance and repair budgets also may be reduced to ensure the district keeps enough reserves on hands for emergencies.

If approved, the operating tax measure would be the first property tax hike since 1974.

In 1999, voters rejected two measures requesting a combined 72-cent tax increase to finance renovations and construction at the middle school, general maintenance repairs and salary and other budget increases.

And last year, voters rejected three separate issues requesting a total 79-cent tax hike for construction of a new upper elementary school, building maintenance costs, recruitment and retention of staff and to restore the driver's education program.

"I think the perspective has been people just feel we have ample money, and therefore we need to fund requests from funds within the budget we have," Doerr said.

To improve the chances of getting the measure passed, the school board will use a low-key campaign strategy to get supporters out to back the measure. Doerr said he was unsure how a lack of other ballot issues in a nonprominent election will affect the measure's outcome..