SCHOOL PROPOSALS: AREA DISTRICTS PREPARE FOR TUESDAY BALLOT ISSUES

Officials in four area school districts are pulling out all stops in hopes of stimulating voter awareness and gather support of funding proposals to be considered at the polls Tuesday.

Direct mailings, print and broadcast advertisements, telephone campaigns and informational meetings are among tactics being employed by the officials and campaign committees in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Delta and Perryville school districts.

Administrators in the Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Delta districts said they are "cautiously optimistic" the issues will pass.

"Based on the response from civic organizations and the general interest in the election, I would say I would be cautiously optimistic," said Jackson schools Superintendent Ron Anderson. "I think voters are realizing the significant growth and the necessity of additional staff and space."

Anderson said the Jackson district has shared information about its two funding proposals through literature sent home with students and mailers to registered voters. A committee of administrators, staff and community members has coordinated most of the efforts.

Jackson voters will be asked to approve an $11 million bond issue and a full waiver of the Proposition C rollback. The proposals require different majorities for passage and request a total tax increase of 55 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

The funding would be used for construction of an elementary school, renovations to R.O. Hawkins Junior High, technology upgrades throughout the district and hiring of certified and support staff.

Anderson said he is unsure how many votes will be needed for passage of the issues.

"I haven't done an analysis of prior elections," he said. "I imagine it'll be a 30 to 35 percent turnout, maybe a little higher."

Harry Rediger of Cape Girardeau is co-chairman of the Continue the Commitment Committee that was organized to amass support for an $18 million bond issue proposed by the Cape Girardeau School District. The committee has used every available means to contact voters, including advertising, presentations to service clubs and Parent Teacher Associations, special meetings, phone campaigns, direct mailings and even voter registrations.

The committee isn't finished: Members will be stationed at the Board of Education office on Election Day to answer requests for transportation to and from the polls. Voters may call 335-1867 anytime Tuesday to request a ride.

"We've had a lot of things going and feel real good at this point," said Rediger. "Everybody's been functioning, everything's in place and we're hopeful we'll be successful next week."

Cape Girardeau schools Superintendent Dan Steska said he is "really encouraged" by group endorsements and parental support of the district's no-tax-increase bond proposal. Between 4,000 and 5,000 yes votes must be cast to gain the four-sevenths majority necessary for passage of the measure, he said.

"I think there may be a lower-than-average turnout simply because it's a no-tax-levy-increase issue," said Steska. "They may not think it's necessary to vote, but we really don't want to take anything for granted. Plus, just by voting is a good way for individuals to express support for the schools."

Delta schools Superintendent Tom Allen said he is uncertain about past voter support for school funding issues, and "no one's talking much or asking many questions" about the upcoming request for the full waiver of the Proposition C rollback. No tax increase is immediately planned if the measure is approved.

The district has shared information about the measure through the school newsletter and a mailer to registered voters. A public meeting was also held.

Allen said he expects 300 votes to be cast Tuesday. The district needs a simple majority for passage of the measure.

"I'm not sure how to read it," he said. "With us not anticipating a tax increase, maybe it just hasn't generated a lot of interest."

Efforts to reach the Perryville School District superintendent were unsuccessful Tuesday.

SCHOOL MEASURES ON THE BALLOT

Area school measures to be considered by voters next Tuesday:

Cape

Current adjusted tax levy: $3.41

The Board of Education is requesting voter approval of an $18 million bond issue to build a new high school. No tax increase is required to fund the measure.

A four-sevenths majority, or 57.14 percent, is needed for passage.

Total proposed tax increase: None.

Jackson

Current adjusted tax levy: $3.21

1. School officials seek to fund an $11 million bond issue for construction of a new elementary school, an addition and renovations to R.O. Hawkins Junior High, and some technology upgrades throughout the district. The measure would increase the debt service levy by 15 cents to 61 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

A four-sevenths majority, or 57.14 percent, is needed for passage.

2. Voters will be asked for a full waiver of the Proposition C rollback to fund the hiring of additional certified and support staff. If approved, the Board of Education would increase the operating tax levy by 40 cents to $3.15 per $100 assessed valuation.

A simple majority is needed for passage.

Total proposed tax increase: 55 cents if both measures are approved.

Delta

Current adjusted tax levy: $3.31

The Board of Education is requesting a full waiver of the Proposition C rollback for potential emergency expenditures. The move would mean the school board could increase the district's operating tax levy up to about the tax ceiling (figured annually) if necessary, but no immediate tax increases are planned.

A simple majority is needed for passage.

Total proposed tax increase: None.

Perryville

Current adjusted tax levy: $2.70

1. Proposition Y proposes a full Proposition C waiver and operating tax levy increase of 55 cents per $100 assessed valuation to fund recruitment and retention of staff and provide driver's education instruction.

A simple majority is needed for passage.

2. Proposition E requests a 4-cent capital project tax increase to fund building maintenance costs.

A simple majority is needed for passage.

3. Proposition S requests funding of a $5.3 million bond issue for construction of a new upper-elementary school. The measure would establish a debt service levy of 20 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

A four-sevenths majority, or 57.14 percent, is needed for passage.

Total proposed tax increase: 79 cents per $100 assessed valuation if all three proposals are approved.