PERRYVILLE SCHOOL VOTERS REJECT TAX HIKE

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perryville School District voters on Tuesday rejected a 25-cent tax levy increase by 63 votes.

Perry County Clerk Randy Taylor said voter turnout was light but higher than expected for a special election -- about 25 percent.

The vote was 1,260 against the increase and 1,197 for it.

Last year a tax hike was defeated 2-to-1.

Schools superintendent Stephen Doerr said the district won't give up. "It's disheartening but at the same time somewhat encouraging," he said, pointing out the district's loss margin has narrowed.

The current levy, at $2.70 per $100 assessed valuation, is a nickel below state minimum levels but was grandfathered in because of issues surrounding locally assessed valuation.

The district says it needs more money to cover increased expenses for salaries, higher fuel bills and other costs.

District residents have rejected every tax levy hike since 1974, including a 72-cent increase proposed in 1999 and a 79-cent increase proposed last year.

Hoping to make the latest proposal more attractive to voters, the district decided to ask for an increase in stages. Doerr said the board wanted to split the increase with 25 cents next year and another 25 cents the following year.

"The plan was not to make too significant an impact in one tax year," Doerr said.

Unfortunately, he said, the loss will force the district to request the 50 cents in November.

When the board meets tonight, it will talk about the November ballot.

He said the district already has eliminated 15 positions and has seen increases in enrollment. "We're going to have some crowded classrooms," he said.

If the November measure fails, "I'm afraid we'll have to look at eliminating some of the programs we offer our young people," Doerr said.