Controversy over June 2 tax levy
Posted By J.T. on May 14, 2009
The Harrisonville school district is asking voters to approve a $.55 tax levy to build a new $14.5million Early Childhood Center facility. It would provide expanded preschool options and before– and after-school child care for preschool students and be constructed on property the district already owns in the Jones Ranch subdivision which is north of Harrisonville on Hwy. 7.
A website campaigning against the measure, www.nonewlevy.com has a few complaints. They point out that Harrisonville already has the 35th highest levy in the state (out of over 500 districts) and that the brochures provided by the District only mentions the “Operating Tax Levy”, without taking into consideration the “Existing Debt levy” which is an additional $.87.
Here is the official ballot language for June 2:
Shall the Board of Education of Harrisonville R-IX School District of Cass County, Missouri be authorized to increase the adjusted operating tax levy of the District to $4.7572 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation, and to use such funds for the operation, maintenance and improvement of school facilities, including but not limited to the construction and equipping of an early childhood facility? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted operating levy of the District is estimated to increase from $4.2072 currently to $4.7572 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation.
While it’s true the operating tax levy is $4.7572 per $100 assessed value, the total current levy is $5.0772. If the measure passes, the total levy will become $5.6272 per $100 assessed value, placing the district in the top 5% of the state.
Another complaint is that the information provided to parents seems to violate the school’s policy on political campaigns:
No contribution or expenditure of district funds shall be made directly by any Board member, employee or agent of the district to advocate, support or oppose any ballot measure or candidate for public office. This does not prevent Board members or administrators from making public appearances or issuing press releases concerning any such ballot measures.
Reasonable expenditures may be made solely for the purpose of providing patrons of the district with objective information regarding ballot measures in order to inform voters concerning issues that directly affect the district.
Admittedly, the brochures only mention reasons to vote for the initiative but the objectiveness of these materials is in the eye of the beholder. The district lists the benefits of the ECC, what the tax levy will do, and does mention there is a “need” for a new ECC. The current building is a modular classroom which serves 3 and 4- year- olds and the new building would include a gymnasium and full-service kitchen.
Any questions on the tax levy can be directed to Principal Jauna Weber at 380-4131 ext. 3222
$14.5M seems like a lot of money for a pre-school, which seems more like a day care than a learning facility. I believe in educating our young children to the best of our ability, but I can’t seem to justify voting yes when we have a perfectly sustainable pre-school program now.
With all of the blighted properties in Harrisonville, it would be a colossal stupidity to raise already bloated property taxes. We have plenty of unused properties just sitting around rotting, thanks to Del Dunmire. The Christian school, for instance, was once our skating rink.
I think the residents of Harrisonville need to start putting their heads together, instead of their asses.
VOTE NO!
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