Prop 1 Tax Levy, Ten Facts You May Not Know

Ladue School District has held several informational meetings thus far regarding Prop 1 tax levy and will continue to do so until it goes to vote on April 3, 2012. This is a time to ask questions and get answers.

For those of you who have been unable to attend, Patch has put together a summary of information given in those meetings.  All information was taken from the Ladue School District Prop 1 website.

It is up to you whether Prop 1 passes or not. But, consider this; the cost of the proposed tax levy is $7.76 per month per $100,000 (appraised value of a residence). That is basically the cost of one morning coffee and one muffin.

Voters ask the Ladue School District to tighten up their spending. Where can the residence of Ladue tighten their spending in order for children to receive the best education possible? A cup of morning coffee perhaps? You decide.

Top ten facts about Prop 1:

1. Ladue School District has seen a nine percent decline in district revenue over the past five years, while they have realized significant increased enrollment and expenses. Even with $7 million cut from expenditures over the past four years, without Prop 1 passing, cuts to academic programming, staffing and student services will be significantly impacted.
   
   
2. With Prop 1, the district can better maintain current staffing and programming levels and therefore maintain the highly competitive district for which Ladue School District is known.
   
   
3. In a May/June 2010 report published in the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis publication REVIEW, stated that property values remain higher in areas with above-average schools. Residences within the school district who do not have children who attend Ladue Schools are still impacted positively.
   
   
4. The Ladue School District believes that with the passing of Prop 1 the district will return to financial stability for two assessment cycles (four years), providing the economy does not weaken further.
   
   
5. Without Prop 1 the district will need to cut up to $2-2.1 million more to balance the budget for the 2012-13 school year. Should this happen, the expenditure cuts will total equivalent of 19% of the district’s current annual expenditures.
   
   
6. With Prop 1, the district will be able to avoid the additional cuts for the 2012-13 school year, which will have a significant impact on current staff, student services and educational programming.
   
   
7. With Prop 1, existing programs will be maintained and moderately improved.
   
   
8. With Prop 1, employee salaries can remain competitive with other districts, enabling retention of high quality staff.
   
   
9. With Prop 1, current class size policies can remain in place. Without Prop 1, class sizes will increase to Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines in grades 3-12. (Grades K-2 will remain at the 2011-12 guidelines.)
   
   
10. With Prop 1, the district will be able to open the new Fifth-Grade Center in the 2013-14 school year.

For more information about Prop 1 and how it will impact the Ladue School District, residents, students and the community go to the Prop 1 website.

The chart below uses rounded numbers that show the increase per month corresponding to appraised home value. For more specific information see Prop 1 website question and answer section.

Appraised Home Value

Increase Per Year

Increase Per Month

Per $100,000

$93.10

$7.76

$500,000

$465.50

$38.79

$1 million

$931.00

$77.58

If Prop 1 does not pass, class sizes guidelines will increase to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) guidelines in grades 3-12. (Grades K-2 will remain at the 2011-12 guidelines.)

The following information puts this information in chart form:

* Indicates Department of Elementary and Secondary Education maximum guidelines.