PERRYVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO SUBMIT LEVY HIKE, BOND ISSUE

PERRYVILLE -- At a time when tax increase proposals are anything but popular, hundreds of people in Perryville are volunteering to go out and promote one.

Citizens for the Future of District 32 is made up of more than 300 parents and community members who have volunteered to promote a school tax increase to other voters.

"When community members are committed, I think that's much more meaningful," said district Superintendent Ron Fitch. He said when administrators promote a tax increase it's seen as part of their job. Parent support is viewed differently.

Donna Tucker, a member of the school board and co-chairman of the citizens campaign, said the approach of the campaign to promote the tax increase has been to give taxpayers as much information about the issues as possible.

And from the start, she said, parents have been involved.

"No one is happy about a tax increase, but education has to be a priority now for local districts in Missouri," Tucker said.

The district is asking voters to approve two proposals on April 7:

An increase of 19 cents in the school tax levy that would pay for two teachers' and one counselor's salary and for building maintenance costs.

A $4.9 million bond issue to allow the district to borrow that amount of money to pay for an overhaul of school buildings.

The district's plans are very specific, thanks to a year of research, input by parents, teachers, administrators and students, and an architect's plans for the remodeled campus.

Tucker said when other tax increase proposals have failed, it was because voters weren't sure how the money was to be used.

With this proposal "they know exactly how their money is going to be spent," Tucker said. "I think the voters need to know that."

The 100-acre campus of Perry County School District No. 32 includes elementary, junior-high and high-school buildings. The building plan would add 64,000 square feet to the campus, and includes moving the elementary students into the high-school building, and the junior high to the elementary building.

An additional building would be added to the high school for elementary students, and the junior-high and high-school facilities would be connected by a common cafeteria and a multipurpose building.

Tucker said this plan, which was found to be more cost-efficient than the construction of new buildings, would also keep students from having to leave the buildings they're normally in to attend classes in other buildings.

"The kids were spending 14 minutes a day going from class to class. We had to allow time for them to walk to other buildings," she said. "That adds up to 36 hours per year, per student that was spent going from one class to the next. It adds up. This way we're not losing instructional time."

The tax increase and bond issue will meet three goals designated by a long-range planning committee to be most important for the district. They are to decrease the pupil-teacher ratio, particularly at the elementary level; increase cafeteria facilities; and keep students in one building for the entire day of classes.

The long-range planning committee is made up of parents and school board members.

Both proposals are necessary because of increased enrollment, Tucker said.

"Our town is growing, and that's great, but it also means there is a growth in our public school system. We just don't have the facilities to handle the increase, and it's becoming critical," she said.

The cost-effectiveness of the plan was evident from the start, she said.

"There will be a lot of changes, but it works," she said. And compared to the cost of constructing new buildings, which would have been $7 million for a new high-school building alone, it's cheaper.

"And we have room for growth," she said.

The parents working toward passage of both the tax increase and the bond issue have raised about $2,500 to fund their promotional efforts. By law, money collected through taxes cannot be used to promote a tax increase.

A public information committee has produced videos that have been shown on the local cable channel, radio spots, posters, balloon launches and a green ribbon campaign, which signifies support of the two proposals.

Fitch refers to the campaign as a cause.

"We have a lot of commitment," he said. "I think they fully understand the need, and need is the issue."

An open house is planned at the old senior-high gym today from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tucker said people can tour the school buildings and eat hot dogs prepared by administrators. A pep rally for supporters will be held Tuesday.

Tucker said throughout March more than 30 public presentations have been made to groups by parents who support the measures. Fifteen parents are part of the public speaking committee.

"People know we have to do exactly what we've said we would do with the money," Tucker said. "We wanted to be specific; we gave the people what they were asking for."

Administrators and parents hope the favor is returned.