Voter Guide

Simple majority required.Ballot wording: Shall the Board of Education of Strain-Japan R-XVI School District of Franklin County, Missouri be authorized to increase the operating tax levy ceiling to $4.2234 per $100 of assessed valuation according to the 2026 assessment for general operating expenses of the District, including increasing compensation for employees to attract and retain quality faculty and staff? If this question is approved, the operating tax levy of the District is estimated to increase by $0.61 per $100 of assessed valuation.Summary: The measure would allow the district to increase the property tax rate by 61 cents per $100 assessed valuation with the $90,000 in additional revenue used to increase teacher salaries. The owner of a home worth $100,000 would pay about $116 more a year in taxes. Supporters say the state mandated higher starting teachers' salaries without providing sufficient funds to meet the increased cost.