Rockwood School District residents will be asked on Nov. 4 to decide if the district should increase its tax levy by 45 cents.
The measure, called Proposition S, stands for “strong staff, safe schools and secure future,” according to the district’s website.
The measure needs a simple majority to pass.
If approved by voters, revenue from the tax increase would be 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 estimates Prop S would generate about $27 million annually.
The ballot language will read: “Shall the Board of Education of the Rockwood R-VI School District, St. Louis County, Missouri, be authorized to increase the operating tax levy of the District by $0.45 per $100 of assessed valuation for paying general operating expenses, including salaries and benefits to attract and retain staff, including teachers, school safety officers and other employees? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted operating levy of the District is estimated to be $4.1926 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation.”
Rockwood’s current overall tax levy is $3.8816 per $100 assessed valuation. That would rise to $4.3316 per $100 assessed valuation if the increase is approved.
If the tax increase is passed, an owner of a house valued at $400,000 by the county Assessor’s Office would pay 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.
Informational meetings
The district has held one information meeting regarding Prop S, on Oct. 7 at Rockwood Summit High School in Fenton, and intends to hold similar meetings every Tuesday in October. Chief Communications Officer Mary LaPak said about 20 people attended the first meeting.
“There were only a couple of questions following the presentation,” she said. “One was about how raises would be distributed to staff. We shared that we would engage in a comprehensive compensation study for each employee group in late 2026 or early 2027. The intent is to make a one-time salary correction for teachers and all staff in order to position Rockwood as more competitive compared to other St. Louis County districts. This will be done position by position.
“Some employee groups are currently paid much less than those in similar positions in nearby districts and will likely receive a larger percentage increase than others to help close the gap. Those groups that compare more favorably to their peers in other districts will receive less of a percentage increase. That will all be determined based on the compensation study.”
The second meeting was held Tuesday at Marquette High School, after the Leader’s deadline.
The third will be held at 6 p.m. on Oct. 21 at Eureka High School, 4525 Hwy. 109. The last meeting is at 6 p.m. on Oct. 28 at Lafayette High School, 17050 Clayton Road, in Wildwood.
Questions about the proposed tax increase also may be sent to propSquestions@rsdmo.org. LaPak said, as of Oct. 9, the district has received about 15 emails with the special address.
“We have worked very hard to inform our patrons about what Prop S is and why the Board of Education voted (on Aug. 7) to place it on the November ballot,” she said.
“We have shared information in direct mailings, newspaper ads, on social media, on our website and through 100 scheduled presentations by (Superintendent Curtis Cain) and members of his leadership team from September through election day in the community.”
The school district has information regarding the tax increase measure at rsdmo.org/discover/proposition-s.
“We have a fluid Frequently Asked Questions area on the website that is updated as we receive new questions, and we will continue to do that to ensure all Rockwood patrons can make an informed decision about Prop S,” LaPak said.