East Newton superintendent: No tax increase means just that

(From East Newton Superintendent Todd McCrackin)

Patrons of the East Newton School District,

There is a rule about bond issues that has been around for a long time. The 25-50-25 rule. Twenty-five (25) percent of the patrons will vote in favor of an issue without knowing what the issue is about. Fifty (50) percent of the patrons need more information to make up their minds on how to vote. Finally, there are twenty-five (25) percent of the patrons that would not vote to approve anything, no matter what the issue was about. Supporters have to then try to educate the fifty percent that need more information.

So, this letter is definitely not intended for the twenty-five percent that are “no voters”, even if the issue would not raise taxes. These folks just do not want to help any school, student, or staff. “No voters” come up with any excuse possible to say no. They even make up or twist facts about schools to try and prove points for voting no on an issue. What are their excuses? The school district wastes money, the school district spends too much on athletics; the performance of our district is poor, students are not graduating as smart as they once did. The list could go on forever. All of these excuses are validated for the “no voters” by perceived perceptions they have experienced with no research or statistical facts. Become educated so you can make an educated decision. Again, supporters will not change the “no voter’s” mind, but at least supporters can try to inform the fifty percent who need more information.

Now for the fifty percent that need more information. First, No Tax Increase means just that – the district tax levy will remain the same. Patrons have had the same levy amount for the past two years. If your assessed valuation increased then your taxes did increase – the school has nothing to do with that. The district has had a debt service levy since 1993.

Second, the Board has used the debt service fund wisely over the years. The district prepaid (extra payment) on the 2001 bond in 2013 and this March; saving tax payers almost $100,000 in interest. Third, each summer the district uses funds to make repairs, renovations, and upgrades to all three campuses if funds are available. Because our district receives most of its funding from the state, those funds have to be distributed to other areas – mainly salaries and operations. This leaves little funding for summer projects.

As a result, repairs, renovation, and improvements are being done on a very small scale. When some major catastrophe happens; projects have to be delayed until funding is available. This is what the district has been facing, an increasing gap in the ability to make repairs, renovations, and upgrades. Passing this bond issue would allow the district to gain ground on some overdue projects, not costing tax payers any additional money. The district cannot sit back and do NOTHING. Years of limited increases or even cuts to the state budget have affected all schools – mostly schools that primarily rely on state funding.

Remember, all Missouri school students depend on each of us to whom their future is entrusted. The students of today will take our places shortly; our hope is we served them well.

Todd McCrackin