SCHOOL TAX PROPOSAL IS WORTHY OF SUPPORT

The school issue before Cape Girardeau voters Tuesday is a sound step for this district and local citizens. Failing last year in attempts to pass more grandiose plans, the school board learned from community feedback and now offers its vision in a separate and more modest package. The issue this time deals with maintenance of facilities and promises taxpayers here a reasonable return on investment. We believe this is a worthy proposal and urge its passage in Tuesday's election.

While the formal action proposed is termed a "waiver of Proposition C rollback," voters should not get lost in the language; it represents an increase in the taxes property owners must pay. Voters across the state approved Proposition C in 1982, creating a one-cent sales tax that helped fund education and reduced local property taxes, the so-called rollback. Tuesday's proposition suggests that the Cape Girardeau district waive this rollback, thus adding 37 cents (per $100 assessed valuation) to the school tax levy. In Cape Girardeau, the median home carries a market value of $58,300; this homeowner, say school officials, would pay about $41 a year more in taxes because of the forgone rollback.

For this increase, district taxpayers will buy a wide range of facility improvements. There are significant educational advantages for school children in this package, including the updating of libraries, media centers and computer labs. However, much of the work that will be done with the rollback waiver will be meat-and-potato types of projects, including upgrades in electrical, heating and plumbing systems, replacement of roofs and windows, and improvement of fire protection systems. Property owners must particularly recognize the significance of such work. Taxpayers in Cape Girardeau have millions of dollars invested in school buildings, and it remains penny-wise and pound-foolish to deprive such a large investment needed maintenance support. This measure provides that support.

The district also gains over the long haul by the increased energy efficiency the various improvements would permit. Another benefit, one that should not be minimized, is that most of the improvements will be carried out by local contractors, engineers, tradespeople and other service workers. The increased tax money taken in will subsequently be redistributed in the community.

Beyond the physical improvements, there are fiscal considerations. The rollback would give the local school district $1.1 million in new local money. However, under the funding formula devised by last year's Senate Bill 380, where increased local input fetches increased state revenue, the Cape Girardeau district stands to gain an additional $1.6 million in new funding from the Missouri coffers. While our disillusionment with Senate Bill 380 has been documented several times in this space, it remains the law of Missouri, and the Cape Girardeau school board members are prudent to work within its framework. For that, the full waiver of this rollback is a logical action.

Following the failure of last year's building issues, the school board fanned out in the community to determine what sort of plan would be suitable to local taxpayers. Those who attended a series of forums indicated their preference for taking care of existing buildings as opposed to constructing new ones. The board listened and drafted this measure. We applaud them for responding to the community's desire in a positive manner. Now, it is time for the community to respond in kind. We believe this school issue is deserving of support and urge voters to cast their votes "yes" for district improvements Tuesday.