Proposition O - No Tax Increase Bond Issue
On Ballot - November 4
August 29, 2008
Bayless Board Votes Unanimously to Put No-Tax Rate-Increase Bond Issue on Nov. 4 Ballot
In response to community input, the Bayless School District Board of Education has taken the first step toward a long-range financial plan by putting Proposition O on the November ballot. The proposition would generate $4.3 million through a no-tax-rate-increase bond issue and would impact students in all four Bayless schools.
Proposition O funds would focus on urgent building needs that directly affect students’ learning environment, including renovations to increase instructional space; completion of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting projects; safety and security improvements; and correction of out-of-code electrical, plumbing and other systems. Proposition O would also enable the district to refinance some lease purchase bonds to continue its strong fiscal management practices.
These needs were identified by the community-based group, the Bayless Student Success Task Force. The 60-member team studied the impact of the federal No Child Left Behind legislation on the district, along with projections which indicate that district enrollment will increase by 33 percent by the 2019-2020 school year.
These external forces create pressure on a district in which 40 percent of students are immigrants and refugees and 50 percent are at the poverty level.
“This no-tax-rate-increase bond issue is an important first step in building success for our Bayless students. Proposition O will enable us to begin to address four of the eight recommendations brought forward by the community,” notes Dr. Maureen Clancy-May, Bayless School District superintendent.
Bayless School District currently has the second lowest expenditure per pupil compared to all 23 St. Louis County school districts. At $6,177, Bayless’ expenditure per student is one third less than the St. Louis county average of $9,796.
“Right now we have a limited-time opportunity to secure critical funding for our district without increasing residents’ tax rate,” Clancy-May says. “It’s an opportunity that together we have earned through our combined hard work and fiscal responsibility.”
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING WITH THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE CONTACT THE CENTRAL OFFICE AT 314-256-8601.
