St. Charles schools ask voters for property tax hike, bond issue

ST. CHARLES The St. Charles School Board has decided to ask voters to approve a property tax increase for operations and a $7.5 million capital improvements bond issue.

The tax boost - 35 cents for each $100 assessed valuation - and the bond issue will be on the April 8 election ballot.

District officials say some of the tax proposal - Proposition L - would boost teacher salaries to keep the district competitive with neighboring districts. The extra revenue also will allow the district to avoid cuts in service.

Without the additional money, superintendent Jeff Marion said, "I don't see any way to hold class sizes down." He said voter rejection of the tax hike also could lead to cuts in school bus service, extra-curricular activities and other items.

The district says it has cut $8.1 million from its operating budget in the pats four years to deal with money problems.

The district says the owner of a home valued at $150,000 would pay $99.75 more a year in taxes if the measure passes.

The bond issue - known as Proposition S - would allow the district to expand video surveillance and other security features, upograde cmmunications systems, complete asbestos removal and add exterior lighting.

The money also would be used to upgrade outdated heating and cooling systems at Hardin Middle School, repair the roof at St. Charles High School and expand the Lewis and Clark Career Center, the district's tech school.

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St. Charles schools ask voters for property tax hike, bond issue