Nixa schools' revenues at stake on ballot

The district’s tax rate ceiling will be lowered unless voters Aug. 2 approve a proposal to keep the ceiling the same. Lowering the ceiling would result in a decrease in operating revenues for Nixa schools, said Brenda Rantz, director of finance for the district.

If approved, funds from the district’s debt service fund will be moved to the operating fund, which are used to hire teachers and purchase textbooks and school supplies.

A “yes” vote will not increase taxes, Rantz said, and a “no” vote will not decrease taxes.

“To a taxpayer, it won’t make any difference,” she said. “It’s like transferring funds from one fund to another, and the total tax money does not change.”

If voters don’t step in, the law requires the ceiling be lowered because the assessed valuation of the district for next year is higher than the district’s consumer price index. This is one drawback of Nixa’s sudden expansion, Rantz said.

“New growth is wonderful,” she said, “but we need to hire additional teachers to keep up with that growth. We hope the voters will support the school district.”

For related coverage from March 21, 2005, click here.

For more related coverage from March 21, 2005, click here.