Voters approved a majority of ballot initiatives that will bring in millions of dollars in funding for St. Louis-area school districts struggling to fill budget holes left by a loss in state and local revenue.
School districts had to receive a simple majority, which is 50% plus one vote, to pass changes to their operating tax levies and pass a supermajority, which is 57.14%, for bond measures. The ballot measures spanned St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson counties.
School districts across the St. Louis region plan to use the additional funds for a variety of purposes – such as building maintenance like HVAC and roofing repairs, security upgrades like tornado shelters and in some cases, teacher salaries and benefits.
Ritenour School District Superintendent Chris Kilbride thanked voters in a statement for approving the district's two ballot measures, Propositions I and N.
"We recognize our responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and remain committed to maintaining safe, well-equipped schools and providing high-quality educational opportunities for our students," Kilbride said in a statement.
Proposition I, a $42 million bond measure for facility upgrades, passed with nearly 72% of voter approval. Proposition N, which makes changes to the district's operating tax levy, was passed with about 70% voter approval.
Voters approved ballot measures in the Normandy Schools Collaborative, which will give the district a lifeline as it navigates an uncertain future.
Normandy's Prop N, which passed with about 54% of votes, will increase the district's operating tax levy by 55 cents, and Prop B, which passed with 62% of votes, will allow the district to borrow up to $40 million in bonds for building upgrades. Neither of the propositions will increase taxes for residents in the district.
Missouri education authorities designated the district as financially stressed for this and next school year. The district is also at risk of losing its full accreditation in January, which could trigger state intervention.
Nearly 57% of voters opted not to pass the Hillsboro R-3 School District's Proposition H in Jefferson County, which would have raised the operating tax levy by $1.39. The district needed more than 50% of the vote to pass the measure.
How the other propositions played out
Webster Groves School District
Proposition W was approved with 66% of the vote — an increase in the district's operating tax levy of 65 cents to help fill budget shortfalls left by decreasing local and state funding. The district is facing a $5 million deficit for this school year. The additional revenue will support district operations including staff salaries and benefits. According to the district, the owner of a $400,000 home will pay about $494 more per year.
Parkway School District
Voters approved Proposition P by about 60%, which is an increase in the operating tax levy by 46 cents to help support school operations and programs as well as teacher salaries and benefits. According to the district, the owner of a $400,000 home will pay approximately $364 more per year.
Francis Howell School District
Voters approved Proposition O, a change to the operating tax levy, by 53% and Proposition H, a $150 million bond measure, by 61%. Both measures do not increase taxes for local residents.
Fort Zumwalt School District
Voters approved Proposition 1 by 63% that allows the district to go out for a $90 million bond to pay for building repairs and increased security measures. It will not increase taxes for residents in the district.
Orchard Farm R-V School District
Voters approved Prop T, a $23 million bond measure that will help the district maintain and improve school facilities, by 73% of the vote. It will not increase taxes for residents in the district.
Meramec Valley R-III School District
Proposition K was approved with 61% of the vote. It enables the district to go out for a bond measure of $45 million for school maintenance and repairs at all schools in the district, increased safety and security measures, the construction of a new middle school and funding to replace aging school buses. It does not increase taxes.
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