Rockwood School District residents narrowly voted down a tax increase on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Unofficial results from Jefferson and St. Louis counties show the measure failed with 11,413 no votes, or 51.13 percent against the tax increase, to 10,910 yes votes, or 48.87 percent in favor of the measure. The measure needed a simple majority to pass.
In Jefferson County, voters turned down the tax increase with 355, or 50.43 percent, voting no, and 349, or 49.57 percent, voting yes. In St. Louis County, the slim margin was 11,058, or 51.15 percent, no votes to 10,561, or 48.85 percent, yes votes.
The measure, called Proposition S, would have increased the district’s tax levy by 45 cents.
If it had been approved, revenue from the tax increase would have been used to raise teacher and staff salaries; expand health care benefits for staff; and hire two additional safety officers for the district’s elementary schools and early childhood centers.
The district estimated Prop S would have generated about $27 million annually.
In a Facebook post, Rockwood officials thanked everyone for voting.
“We would like to thank all the community and staff members who volunteered their time and talents for this cause,” the post said. “There were a lot of people who strongly believed in Prop S and worked tirelessly to educate voters about the issues involved. Our common goal of ensuring that our students continue to achieve at their full potential will bridge any differences and help guide our efforts moving forward.”
Rockwood’s current overall tax levy is $3.8816 per $100 assessed valuation. It would have risen to $4.3316 per $100 assessed valuation if the increase were approved.
If Prop S had passed, it would have cost the owner of a house valued at $400,000 about $342 more per year, for a total of about $3,292.78. Currently, the owner of a $400,000 home pays about $2,950.78 per year.