Pierce City School District to pursue levy hike to cover salary hike

Major tax bump would replace tenuous state supplements, first request since 2017 ask that failed by a dozen votes
 
Following months of discussion, the Pierce City school board agreed to go to voters in April to seek a hefty boost in the district’s operating tax levy. In light of federal and state funding shifts, board members considered this in practically “do or die” terms as they hope to move past the state minimum for the first time in 30 years.
Pierce City has held at the minimum state levy of $2.75 per $100 of assessed property since the 1990s, when a state constitution change made that the standard to receive full state funding in 1998. District voters came within a dozen votes of passing a 31-cent levy increase in August, 2017, but the board has not sought an increase since. The present levy is $3.54 per $100, with $2.75 for general operations and 79 cents for retiring debts on bond issues.
Kodie O’Hara, school board president, told board members with the Missouri General Assembly pushing to raise the base pay for teachers, the district’s financial position remains precarious if grants offered by the state to districts to meet new pay standards disappear.
“We’re going to need [an additional] $485,000 just to keep our head above water,” said Superintendent Matt Street. “That’s not going to take care of our HVAC [aging heating and air conditioning systems] and the rest of the teachers [by raising wages for all years of service, not just giving entry-level teachers $40,000, as lawmakers mandated].”
With the district’s current assessed valuation, Street said an 85-cent increase in the tax levy would generate $457,000. Even a 75-cent increase would only generate $353,000.
An operating levy increase, which would not expire, unlike bond issues which are retired when the debt is paid, would be permanent. Pierce City hasn’t attempted to pass an increase that size since the state pushed districts in 1993 to go from $2 to $2.75.
Street said around four schools in Pierce City’s conference were discussing going to voters for levy increases. One considered a boost as high as $1. Jasper passed both a levy increase and a bond issue in April.
By Street’s calculations, an 85-cent levy increase would boost taxes from a homeowner with a house valued at $250,000 by an additional $400 a year.
O’Hara noted that Pierce City’s enrollment has been growing, a positive trend that helps ensure additional state funding. Enrollment is presently at 752: 359 elementary, 179 middle school, 214 high school.
Street further noted that if the General Assembly “does away with property tax, this would be our only chance [to secure additional funding].”
Board members felt the need to clearly articulate how additional funds would be used when they go to voters. Lee Jones said covering food costs for all students would be popular. Street noted the ballot language itself would be rather vague, emphasizing the need to explain the situation to voters in no uncertain terms. If a levy increase generated more money in a year than operations needed, he said the board could transfer funds at the end of the year to its Fund 4 for capital improvements, such as roofs and heating systems.
“If it’s too big, it’s destined to fail. If it’s too small, it’s not enough,” Jones said, to which O’Hara responded, “If you’re going to be a bear, be a Grizzly.”
With a deadline of Jan. 27 to file ballot language, board members decided to organize a committee of patrons to study the issue and recommend action. Seeing 90 cents as a psychological ceiling, the consensus centered on exploring either an 85-cent or 87-cent increase.
Unlike 2017, when the issue barely fell short of the needed margin, the board agreed to resubmit the increase to voters until it passed.
Facility needs
At the board’s September and October meetings, discussion has focused on a number of building issues. Street reported the fire alarms in the elementary school and the new preschool building “were never designed to hook together.” He has the architect and contractor Branco Enterprises looking for a solution. O’Hara attributed the result to piecing structures together over time.
Street also reported the district needs to replace the preschool playground, which had been located where the new storm shelter is located. He has approached the Community Foundation of the Ozarks for possible grant money to help.
Contractors and technical specialists continue coming to the school to examine the roofs and the under-performing battery of rooftop solar panels. Street reported the cafeteria roof at the elementary school, the only shingle roof remaining, is in the worst shape of all the buildings. He indicated the board will need to decide whether to stick with shingles or go to metal.
In the October consent agenda, board members ordered five new football helmets costing around $700 each. The older Xenith helmets, costing around $300 each, lacked the additional support against concussions that the newer helmets provide.
At the September meeting, Street discussed reviewing the district’s comprehensive plan, dating back to 2018. Recent community feedback pointed to the need to upgrade the football bleachers and fencing.
Recognitions
At the October meeting, six members of the elementary school’s Student Council and their three faculty sponsors discussed their activities, such as running the Snack Cart and the personal meaning of being on the council. “You’re basically the captains of Elementary,” O’Hara told them.
Receiving the faculty spotlight were elementary special education teacher Kim Hankins and middle school math teacher Elizabeth Whittemire.
In September, the board recognized the high school science club’s participation in federal land cleanup at Stockton Lake, their fourth year helping.
High school history teacher Andrew Ward and third-year kindergarten teacher Breanna Alford  received recognition for their work.
Greg Powell, food service director, reported breakfasts were up by around 150 this year, thanks to a popular new menu item. After-school snacks boosted lunch and snack numbers. Powell hoped to focus on offering different foods to stimulate interest.
In personnel action, the board approved six additions to the substitute teacher list and hired Cara Osterloh as a paraprofessional.
The next board meeting will be on Nov. 19.