Voter Guide

Simple majority required.Ballot wording: Shall the Ferguson-Florissant School District increase its operating tax levy by $0.48 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation for the purposes of enhancing safety and security for students and staff; increasing staff to respond to obligations of the District related to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA); addressing other essential staffing needs; and providing funds to support increased salaries for non-administrative staff, including bus drivers, classroom aides, custodial staff, and facilities and maintenance personnel? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted operating levy of the school district per $100 of assessed valuation is estimated to be $3.89 for residential real property, $5.37 for commercial real property, $3.90 for agricultural real property, and $5.72 for personal property.Summary: The measure would allow an increase in the district property tax rate of 48 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The measure would generate $7.3 million in new revenue annually. The owner of a home worth $150,000 would pay about $137 more in taxes per year. The additional funds would be used to upgrade safety and security measures, increase salaries of teachers and staffers, increase security on school buses and pay for RECA (Radiation Exposure Compensation Act) reports and documents. This district is located in an area affected by World War II nuclear weapon projects. Supporters say the last tax increase was in 2015 and the district had a $5.1 million deficit that required significant cuts. They also say increased salaries will attract and retain quality teachers and staff and that security and technology upgrades are necessary. Opponents do not want increased taxes.