Schools

Francis Howell Debates Tax Levy Extension

Board of Education making plans for what to do when a $.20 tax levy expires in 2014.

Recent budget projections have shown the Francis Howell School District facing some trouble in years ahead.

After a long run of growth in the District, property tax rates have gone flat while state funding has proven to be unreliable and unpredictable. With those two factors working together, Francis Howell is staring at years in the red that would begin to drain a large surplus.

The money issues prompted Thursday night's discussion at the Board of Education meeting about the District tax levy. After tax collections in 2013, a twenty cent tax levy is set to to expire. The levy, when fully collected, produces about $4 million into the District.

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With the expiration looming, the Board conducted a work session to figure out just what to do with the tax levy. The opinions varied.

Board president Mike Sommer said he would like to see the issue on the April 2012 ballot. He would like voters to decide what they thing about the tax levy and if it should be extended.

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That suggestion worried Superintendent Pam Sloan. Prior to the discussion of the tax levy, Chief Financial Officer Kevin Supple gave a lengthy presentation about the future financial shape of the District as it relates to State funding. A proposal is being passed around the Missouri legislature that would change the formula for determining state aid.

Basically what Supple's presentation showed is that state aid is unknown. The District could stand to get more money in one scenario or less money in another. As Supple said, the funding formula is complex, so a solution will be as well.

Because the state aid is still so murky, Sloan said she wanted to make sure the District knew how much money it needed. She said she didn't want to go to the well too many times and keep asking for more money.

Sommer said the District should go early so it could prepare. If the levy is shot down, the District would know it has $4 million less coming in. Sommer said that if the levy did pass, and state funding picked up, the Board like it did in September.

Sommer also said that with 2012 having multiple elections, the issue didn't have to go on the April ballot. He said it could be given to voters in November. 

Board director Cynthia Bice said more time was needed before the Board asks anyone to do anything. She said after the rollback of the levy in September, it's odd that the Board is discussing keeping the levy just a few months later.

"I feel like we've given a double message already," she said.

Bice wondered why the change in heart—why was the Board so concerned about the levy and money it just turned away.

"I'm a little confused about this conversation," she said. "... What's any different about our situation?"

Bice said she needed more time before deciding what steps to take. She said she wanted more information—such as what the state would be doing.

Other suggestions were tossed around and debated but with the clock ticking past 11 p.m. it was a clear a consensus wouldn't be reached during the meeting. Instead, the Board decided to schedule another work session for the Jan. 5, 2012, meeting to continue the conversation. Directors were clear though, that the work session wouldn't be a simple rehash of the night's conversation.

Other Notes

  • The Board recognized eight teachers for becoming National Board Certified Teachers. They were: Heather Cox (Central Elementary), Laurie Fay (Howell Central), Mindy Kramer (Bryan Middle), Kathy McMillan (Becky-David Elementary), Michelle Ridlen (Howell Central) Judy Switzer (Howell Central), Julie Tiemeyer, Central Elementary) and Mark Schneider (Howell Central). Schneider was re-certified.
  • Supple and the rest of finance department were recognized for the sixth consecutive time with the Meritorious Budget Award.
  • The at Francis Howell High School has been fixed, and for under the allotted money. The delay in construction puts the Howell High School gymnasium project behind schedule and could impact the first semester of the 2012-13 school year. 


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