Menu
R-1 schools ask voters for tax increase
On April 8, voters living within the Northeast Vernon County R-1 School District will see a proposition to increase the operating tax levy in order to fund the construction of a new school on their ballots.
Currently, NEVC is separated into two schools; the high school, a 79-year-old building, in Walker, and the elementary school located approximately 14 miles away, in Schell City.
On Jan. 3, more than 130 people attended a public meeting hosted by the NEVC school board and district superintendent Charles Naas, announcing the plan to build a new centralized facility.
During the meeting, faculty and staff at Walker provided tours of the building displaying a dilapidated structure with bowing floors, cracked walls, falling ceilings, separations between the floors and joists, exposed electrical wiring and a non-operational boiler. Several classrooms now act as storage since conditions have become so bad they cannot house students.
Naas used the meeting as a platform to announce the district's plans to increase the school districts tax levy by $1.10 from its current $3.45 to $4.55 and to terminate a voluntary tax rollback of 80 cents, bringing the total operating levy to $5.35.
To begin collecting the tax increase, the proposition must be passed by majority decision by district residents in the April 8 election.
If successful at the polls, this tax increase would be used to fund the proposed $4.5 million, single story school set to be located around Harwood. If unsuccessful, Naas said the district would still eliminate the 80-cent tax rollback and use these funds to attempt renovations of the current facilities.
"What we'll be looking at then is raising the taxes anyway because were already rolled back 80 cents voluntarily," he said. "So, we would raise somewhat to start renovation projects which is not what we want to do but it will be out of necessity just because were 80 years old now at the two buildings."
Naas described the general attitude of NEVC district residents as "very positive, extremely positive." In a letter Naas wrote, "I have been overwhelmed by the support of the community in reference to our proposed new school project. Even the few who have admitted that they will probably vote against the issue have expressed their understanding of our severe need and wish us well regardless of the election outcome."
A portion of these people against the tax increase have formed a small committee named the Citizens for Quality Education. Seventeen names appear on the committee's roster, including Kent Abele, who said he is not convinced the tax increase will be enough to fund a building of this size.
"They've proposed to build a $4.5 million building; which, as far as I know, nobody in the public has seen the blueprints, they have no cost estimates, no blueprints. They just think they can build it for $4.5 million or somebody in St. Louis told them that it could be built for $4.5 million. Assuming that it could be, my sources -- which are sources that are in the business of public finance -- tell me that they are going to be $32,000 to $35,000 short of being able to service that much debt with a tax increase and the assessed valuation that they have. So, it looks to me like even if they get it built we're not going to be able to pay for it."
Naas referenced Dr. Howard Neeley, former superintendent of Republic R-III School District, currently specializing in public financing as a key participant in NEVC's financial decision making process regarding the proposed new school. He said that he believes the numbers given to him are accurate and that the school could be built with funds from the tax increase.
Naas, also explained that the district has opted to refrain from printing any formal blueprints or building diagrams due to the cost and resources that would go into these projects. He said the board intends to wait for the public to vote yes or no before spending the additional money on blueprints. "Because these plans are quite costly and labor intensive, it would certainly not be financially responsible of the board to spend such money without first obtaining the community's commitment.
"Essentially, this will give the board the authority to raise our levy up to $5.35. If and when we secure the funding and lock in our contractor prices where we can build the school. It doesn't mean we definitely will build, it just gives them the authority to raise our levy so we can generate that money to build," he said. "We are hoping to offset with some loans and other things too, just to help out, but our hope is that this will fund our project."
Brent Gundy, another member of CQE, said he thinks the tax increase is just too high and that it will not fix the schools problems with accreditations.
"I just feel, that large of a tax increase puts a lot of pressure on just a few people, basically property owners. The school only having half of their accreditations is a big factor for me. Their wanting this tax increase for a new building and I think the accreditations should be brought into order before the new building is even considered," said Gundy.
Ron Wilken, area supervisor over NEVC for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, said the new building would offer a better learning environment but would not directly effect accreditation. He said, "You're going to have better science labs and better facilities for the kids. That's really what you need to think about when you're talking about raising a tax levy is, the kids. Of the 14 standards, none of the standards are directly related to the building."
Abele later said that he agrees that the school facility is in poor condition but is still not sold on the idea of a new school.
"I really admire the people on the board and the effort that they put forth and Mr. Naas all those people have done the best they can with the conditions they've got but it just doesn't look like it's workable," he said. "There is absolutely no doubt that they need better facilities. The facilities that they have are bad there's no denying that. I'm just not sure that raising the patrons property taxes by 55 percent and hoping to be able to build a building that won't improve the accreditation of the school is the way to solve the problem."
NEVC district representatives agreed with CQE on one issue -- residents should cast their votes at the election.
"I think the biggest thing, one of our concerns, is that people understand the issues and do go vote," said Rob Barrett, a member of CQE. "A simple majority could pass or fail this thing and this impacts a lot of lives, not just tax payers but students. It's a very critical issue, and my personal tax assessment pales in comparison."
On Saturday, April 5, the NEVC board will host a special meeting on the property where the new school could be built. The meeting is slated to begin at 6 p.m., and will offer residents the opportunity to ask questions about the proposed tax increase and new school building and see floor plans for the building. In the event of rain the meeting will be held at the Schell City Elementary School.
Polls open for the April 8 election at 33 polling places in Vernon County at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Only voters living within the NEVC school district will be able to vote on the tax increase proposition.