Rockwood School District residents will be asked Nov. 7 to decide if the district will be allowed to shift 54 cents from its debt service levy to its operating tax levy over two years.
District officials said if voters approve the shift, a dedicated funding source will be created to pay for continual costs related to safety, technology and facility maintenance.
Rockwood had held a series of town hall meetings to discuss Proposition 3, which refers to the three categories the shift would fund.
The final meeting was held Tuesday at Eureka High School, after the Leader’s deadline. Others were held at Marquette, Rockwood Summit and Lafayette high schools.
Superintendent Curtis Cain said many residents asked about the ballot language during the town hall meetings and said the wording was confusing.
The ballot language will read:
“Shall the Board of Education of the Rockwood R-VI School District, St. Louis County, Missouri, for the purpose of funding improvements to the safety and security of students and staff, updating technology devices and infrastructure, maintenance of buildings and equipment and other capital improvements, and general operating expenses of the District, be authorized to increase the operating tax levy ceiling by $0.36 to an estimated $3.8160 per $100 of assessed valuation in tax year 2024, and by an estimated additional $0.18 to $3.9960 per $100 of assessed valuation in tax year 2025? If this question is approved, the District plans voluntary reductions to the District’s debt service tax levy of $0.36 per $100 of assessed valuation in tax year 2024 and an additional reduction of $0.18 per $100 of assessed valuation in tax year 2025 resulting in the total tax levy of the District to remain unchanged.”
St. Louis County has charged Rockwood an estimated $125,379.91 to place the issue on the November ballot, and Jefferson County has charged the district an estimated $6,890, Chief Communications Officer Mary LaPak said.
“It’s too early to say yet whether this will pass,” Cain said Monday. “I’m confident in the district’s communications so far.”
According to the district’s website, if Prop 3 is approved, Rockwood’s operating revenue would increase by about $26 million to $27 million annually after the tax shift is phased in over two years.
The measure needs a simple majority to pass.
If voters approve the shift, Rockwood’s current tax levy of $3.8907 per $100 of assessed valuation will not change.
However, debt service levies expire as bond debt is paid down and if voters don’t agree for the district to incur additional debt, the overall tax levy would be reduced over time, unless voters approve the shift.
If voters approve the shift, the 54 cents per $100 assessed valuation would become permanent.
“Rockwood’s current debt is not set to expire until 2038-2039, and the overall tax levy would be reduced only if the district didn’t incur any additional debt or issue any new bonds over the next 15 years,” LaPak said. “That is not realistic, especially if Prop 3 fails, given our need to maintain 37 buildings and update security and technology on an annual basis.”
Cain said increasing the operating budget for the district is vital, citing aging buildings and technology refreshments as major reasons.
Chief Financial Officer Cindy Byous said the district requires $30 million a year to keep facilities and technology updated. She said incoming fifth graders and ninth graders typically receive a new Chromebook at the beginning of a school year, but said they did not this year due to a lack of funding.
“These Chromebooks are a living, breathing example of what is in fact happening right now,” Cain said. “Immediately, students feel the impact the most, (if Prop 3 fails).”
Cain said the replacement of aging HVAC units is a priority, and one that would be harder to achieve if Prop 3 fails.
The Board of Education voted 6-0 on Oct. 5 to replace Eureka High School’s HVAC system in the main gym using emergency funds. The new system will cost $299,499.
“I’ve been to both men’s and women’s basketball games at Eureka High School, and they have to prop the doors open in the winter because it gets so warm,” Cain said.
Chris Freund, the district’s director of facilities, said Rockwood has budgeted $3.8 million for emergency maintenance issues. He said 23 of the district’s 37 buildings have HVAC systems that are 20 years old or older.
He said it would cost an estimated $46.45 million to replace every system that is at least 20 years old.
“Prop 3 is the most fiscally responsible option for our district,” Cain said.
Cain said those who have questions or concerns about Prop 3 can send inquiries to the district’s dedicated email address, prop3questions@rsdmo.org.
If Prop 3 passes, Cain said the district will have a dedicated portal or website to keep residents informed about how it is using the new funding source.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. Voters can check their registration status and polling location at voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov.