Rockwood School District to Seek Tax Increase

The Rockwood School District Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to ask voters to approve a tax increase.

The measure will be placed on the November ballot. The actual amount of the increase will be determined by Aug. 3. The district's operating levy has not been raised since 1994, except as authorized by state statute.

Citing that the two major sources of district revenue are state appropriations and a voter-approved property tax levy, Rockwood school board director Stephen Banton moved to take this step for the fall. Vice president Janet Strate seconded the motion. Banton said the call for a tax increase is a byproduct of the drop in state revenue to the district. Banton said the state's funding shortfall has cut into all state programs, and is having an adverse affect on education.

"Voters, the Rockwood citizens, have the right to determine what will happen," Banton said. "We [the directors] are not the ones to raise taxes. Rather it is our job to provide alternatives when we see the Rockwood advantage is in jeopardy."

Rockwood officials say they have trimmed $20 million from expenditures in the past four years without undue impact on what occurs in the classroos. However, Shirley Broz, The district's chief financial and legislative officer, gave a report that indicated the district would have to make further reductions.

Rockwood school board president Steve Smith said it is obvious the district cannot pay for all it wants to fund.

Board member Matt Doell said the decision to seek a tax hike is a matter of deciding between two things no one likes:  a tax levy or accepting budget cuts on overall programs. "Both are distasteful choices," he said.