Stockton district asks voters to restore expired tax levy

The Stockton R-1 School District is asking voters to restore an operating tax levy amount that recently expired.

Superintendent Doug Crawford said a similar request on the April ballot failed by just eight votes.

In 2006, voters approved an operating tax levy – increasing the amount from $2.75 to $3.64 per $100 of assessed valuation – that included a 20-year sunset provision, or built-in expiration date.

Crawford said even though the ballot measure sought to restore most of what was lost with the expiration, it created confusion for voters. He said some thought it was a hike over the amount approved two decades ago.

“It has to be on the ballot as a new issue because the previous issue sunsetted,” he said in an interview.

The Aug. 4 ballot question asks voters to approve an 80-cent increase to the existing $2.75 operating tax levy – the lowest allowed in state statute – instead of the 86-cent hike approved in 2006.

The August election requires a simple majority for approval so if 51% of voters agree, the operating tax levy will go to $3.60 per $100 of assessed valuation.

The Stockton Board of Education is required to vote annually to set the tax levy based on statutory limits and budgetary needs but it cannot exceed what was approved by voters.

Crawford said, as a result, the district has adjusted the tax levy rate over the past 10 years, moves that involved rolling it back from the previously approved amount of $3.64. and that resulted in a reduction of $104 million in tax collections during that period.

Operating tax levies generate funds to cover teacher and staff salaries, transportation, utilities, technology and other general day-to-day expenses. It is separate from a debt-service levy, which can only be used for building projects and paying off bonds.

“This is operating, we are basically just asking for help to cover staff salaries. Minimum wage went up to $15 an hour and that impacted us,” he said. “The cost of educating students has increased.”

Crawford said the operating tax levy drop, a result of the expiration, created a “flat line” budget for the 2026-27 year. The budget outlines $13.9 million in expenses for the coming year and just $13.7 million in revenue.

“We did put a deficit spent in this year’s budget,” he said, noting the gap will be filled with reserve or “rainy day” funds.

He added, “Without any increase, it has a large impact on our budget, our fund balance.”

If approved, the increase will apply to the assessed valuation in the 2026 tax year and beyond.

Crawford said if the ballot measure fails and the operation tax levy stands at $2.75, it will prompt tough decisions.

“When teachers leave, instead of replacing them, we have to look at just absorbing that and reallocating duties,” he said.