Logan-Rogersville R-VIII

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: When is the election?
A: Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Q: What is a bond referendum?
A: A bond is an authorization for a school district to go into debt and to establish a tax rate to pay off the debt over time.  The bond only pays for capital projects, such as facilities and equipment, and may not be used for regular operational costs like salaries or supplies.

Q: How is it possible to issue bonds without a tax increase?
A: This is possible thanks to good financial management by the district. Due to refinancing and paying off debt early, $8 Million in bonding capacity is available to reissue for facility safety and security improvements. 

Q: What is an operating levy?
A: An operating levy generates money to pay a district’s operating costs, such as salaries, technology updates, utilities, buses, etc.

Q: What is required to pass the bond?
A: A 4/7 majority, or 57.1% plus 1 vote is required to pass a bond issue.

Q: What is required to pass the levy?
A: A simple majority is required to pass a levy.

Q: What will the levy cost me?
A: The impact of the $.49 Operating Levy on a $100,000 (assessed value) home is $0.25 per day, or $7.76 a month ($93.10 yearly). Rates will vary for residents, businesses, and agricultural property.

The impact of the $0.49 Operating Levy if you rent a home/apartment and own a vehicle. 

Q: How much property tax are residents paying at the current rate?
A: Property tax estimates at current tax rate: $50,000 home – $291.65/yr ($24.30/mo, $.80/day); $100,000 home – $583.30 ($48.60/mo, $1.59/day); $150,000 home – $874.95 ($72.90/mo, $2.40/day)

Q: How did the district prioritize the proposed projects the Bond will pay for?
A: Over the past two (2) years, the District held multiple open Community Conversations, Surveyed stakeholders, Held board of education study sessions, and Conducted demographic studies. The determination based on these conversations were that district-wide safety and security improvements were a top priority, Logan Elementary needed updating, the Elementary Entrance needed updating, and deferred maintenance for safety/security and accessibility and efficiency is necessary. 

Q: What is the timeline for the proposed projects?
A: Work would begin immediately on projects that could be completed during the summer 2019 in order to avoid disruptions and protect the educational environment as much as possible. Work will continue throughout the 2019-2020 school year and all projects are expected to be complete during summer 2020 in time for school to start in August 2020.

Q: How does the quality of the schools affect property values and the local economy?
A: Realtors agree a good school system attracts buyers to an area. Many home buyers ask about the school district before making a decision. In addition, companies that are considering locations for new businesses insist on a good educational system for their children and their employee' children. Knowing the Logan-Rogersville School District has excellent faculty & staff as well as safe and modern facilities could be the deciding factor for many families and businesses to come to the community, which would lead to higher property values for homeowners. 

Q: With all the new housing developments and apartments going up in the district, why are new buildings not part of the bond referendum?
A: The demographic study conducted prior to the High School opening in 2005, and the Jamestown Primary opening in 2007, predicted a steep incline in student growth and the need for additional land purchase and plans for an additional elementary school, additions to existing facilities, etc. However, the financial crisis of 2008, all but stopped LR’s growth. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) enrollment reports show three (3) more LR students in 2015 compared to 2008.

In 2015, the district conducted an in-depth demographic study. The predicted student growth was slow and gradual. The district updated the demographic study in 2018. The 2018 updated study predicted the student growth to continue, but the rate of growth was adjusted downward based on the past three years data.

Not all new housing brings new students to LR. The national average is 0.40 students per new single-family home. In the LR District there are only 0.129 school-age children per each new single-family home built.

The school nearest capacity is Logan Elementary. The other schools have some available room for student growth based on the current demographic study predictions. 

Q: What is the impact on all the homes being built in Rogersville? How much local money is being generated for LR schools?
A: Local dollars are a larger percentage of LR’s overall revenue than State dollars, so it is important that our local assessed valuation supports public schools. (see chart below).  While every home built does bring value to LR assessed valuation, property is assessed differently. Agriculture land is assessed at 12%, residential at 19%, and commercial at 31%. The assessed valuation of the LR district has experienced a reboot since the recession. The new norm is much lower than 10+ years ago.

Q: What is “Fund Balance,” and what is LR’s fund balance?
A: Fund balance is expressed as “Unrestricted Fund Balance.” This is the amount of money you have in reserves. The health and wellness of a district’s finances can be seen in the fund balance maintained over time. Typically, districts will try to hold three (3) months worth of expenses in reserves in case the state has to withhold funds. Fund Balances can also be allowed to increase over a few years in preparation for large one time expenditure. I.E. Saving up to build a new FEMA structure. 

Districts have different tolerance levels and ideology regarding fund balances. The more heavily dependent upon State funding, the more likely a school is to have a larger fund balance. The LR Board of Education goal is to maintain a fund balance of over 18%.

The chart below shows the fund balance history over the past 15 years. *Note: LR’s fund balances dropped dangerously low during 2008 - 2010. When a district reached 5%, they were considered a financially stricken district and parents would have had the option to send their students to a neighboring district at LR’s expense.

Q: What is a typical yearly raise for LR Teachers?
A: The past 11 years, teachers have averaged a base raise of 0.09% (less than 1%). When you include step advancement + base raise = 1.96% average annual raise.

The goal is to put as much money back into the classroom as financially possible, while taking care of the facility needs to provide a safe and secure environment conducive to learning.

Q: What will happen if the bond and levy do not pass?
A: Without the passage of a “No Tax Increase Bond Referendum,” the district will do its best to continue to make small improvements as current funding allows. No renovations will be able to be made, nor will the district have the ability to add additional safe rooms without the passage of a “No Tax Increase Bond Referendum.”

B: Without the passage of an Operating Levy, the district will not be able to add additional safety personnel. LR will also continue to fall further behind neighboring districts in recruiting and retaining high quality faculty and staff. We have no intention of reducing the number of grade level teachers because that would increase class sizes. There is no discussion of consolidating positions or sharing support services between schools (counselors, nurses, librarians, music, art, physical education, reading recovery, etc.). The Board of Education and Administration intends to remain fully staffed and keep student:teacher ratios as low as possible for all positions.

Q: Will Principals and District Administrators financially benefit from passage of the April 2019 Operating Levy increase?

A: No. While Principal and District Administration compensation also ranks at the bottom of neighboring districts, the same as LR teachers, the $0.49 Operating Levy is specifically designated to hire additional safety personnel, and for recruitment and retention of faculty and staff. LR’s goal is to recruit and retain the best possible principals/administrators, but not with the passage of the April 2019 Operating Levy increase. Administration will receive an average raise determined by the board of education. The past 10 year average is 0.98%.

Q: How old are each of the LR schools?

A:

2017: A FEMA 75:25 grant was received and a safe room was added to the Upper Elementary, which replaced the old gym.

2015: Two (2) FEMA 75:25 grants were received and a safe room was added to both the High School and Middle School.

2014: Logan Elementary received a new playground with outdoor courts. A DNR scrap tire grant was also received for rubber surface application.

2008: Primary school in Jamestown opened. The early childhood playground was furnished in 2010 and a DNR scrap tire grant was received for a rubber surface application. The main playground was renovated in 2011. A DNR scrap tire grant was received for a rubber surface application; outdoor courts were added; and new playground apparatus was added. 

2008: The Wildcat Stadium was constructed, along with concession and restroom facility for softball/tennis/soccer.

2004: High School opened.

1968: Middle School opened. (several additions since)

1961: Upper Elementary opened. (several additions since)

1956: Logan Elementary opened. (several additions since)

Q: What is the anticipated revenue increase from passage of the April 2019 Operating Levy?

A: $1,234,000. 

Q. How will LR’s Operating Levy compare to other districts?
A: Operating Levys are unique to districts. The operating levy, which is what the question on the April ballot addresses, LR is near the bottom of neighboring districts. Most districts also have some form of debt service levy to pay for recently built buildings or renovations. 

Should the Operating Levy pass, LR’s levy will be near the top at $3.56. Other bedroom communities like LR have a higher operating levy due to the lack of businesses/commercial property, which are taxed at a higher rate and contribute much more than a single family home. 

Districts like Strafford, Reeds Spring, and Hollister are unique because they are heavily supported by a robust commercial industry, which generates much more money and does not require as high an operating levy to equal the same revenue.

LR is more like Clever or Spokane as a bedroom community, lacking commercial property.

Operating levy comparisons:
$3.63: Nixa (currently $3.22 + $.041 April 2, 2019 Operating levy on ballot)
$3.61: Clever
$3.56: Springfield
$3.47: Spokane
$3.42: Republic
$3.41: Sparta
$3.35: Branson
$3.30: Forsyth
$3.26: Ozark
$3.25: Bolivar
$3:24: Marshfield
$3.22: Billings
$3.14: Willard
$3.12: Ash Grove
$3.09: Hollister
$3.07: Logan-Rogersville
$3.01: Fair Grove
$2.99: Reeds Spring
$2.75: Strafford
 

Q: Is any of the Bond money being spent on athletics?

A: The determination to spend this $8,000,000 on safety and security was top priority. It was also determined that accessibility improvements need to be made to several athletic facilities. There is no sidewalk to the soccer field, nor a wheelchair accessible place to view a soccer game. The same is true for the baseball field. Both facilities need bleacher improvements while dirt work is being performed for sidewalks. Also, the baseball infield light poles are 30+ years old and no electrical company will work on these light due to the age and deterioration of the poles. They must be replaced. The final athletic project that needs improvements due to safety concerns and accessibility is the Middle School gym. The railing is not to current code, the bleachers are non-functioning and beyond repair, and the chair backs and stairwells need improvements.
 

Q: Can I see the current revenues and expenditures of the district?

A. DESE ASBR Report

Note: The DESE accounting code manual had a major overhaul last year to align with ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act). It would be difficult to compare account code allocations between districts because every district is at a different place in their accounting system new coding changes. Districts are not coding expeditures exactly the same yet. Missouri districts are all over the board with where they are in their changes to the coding system. Please keep this in mind as you make comparisons and draw conclusions.

Q: What does LR spend per student? How does LR compare to other districts?

A: DESE uses the term “Per Pupil Expenditure” (PPE) to express a districts total budget spent per student. The national average is over $12,000. In Missouri, depending on where you live PPE can range from $6,000 to $18,000. The chart below show’s last year’s PPE, which was pulled from DESE’s website by the District Advisory Council as research leading up to the boards decision to place the Operating Levy on the ballot. Salaries & Benefits are the majority of school budgets. Usually around 75%.

You will notice that Marshfield is below LR. This data is prior to Marshfield passing a $0.49 Operating levy for recruitment and retention of teachers last April 2018. 

Q: Has the District ever been audited or does it conduct audits?

A: The LR school board commissions an independent audit every single year. LR complies with state statue 165.1231 RSMo and submits the audit to DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education). The audit finds are published in the Marshfield mail according to RSMo 165.121.5(3) requirement to make the audit public information. LR goes above and beyond by publishing all prior year audits to the district website. The audits have all indicated that the financial statement disclosures are neutral, consistent, and clear. To translate audit terms...LR has excellent business practices and procedures and is excellent in the way we manage funds.

Link to prior years audits

Q: How many school age children are there in the district versus students enrolled in Rogersville schools. What percentage of students choose alternative schooling? I.e. private or homeschool. How does this compare to other districts?
A: It is very difficult to determine the exact number of students living in the district who do not attend LR Schools. This year, 36 students have been reported to us as homeschool students, however, this number does not encompass all students in the district who are homeschooled. Parents are only required to report once, not every year, and we have no way of knowing if they move out of district. Parents are not required to notify the district at all if they send their children to private school, however, we do have 82 students attending Catholic Schools in Springfield, based on a report from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Seconday Education (DESE). We do not receive reports from private schools who do not elect to receive federal funding, as they do not report their numbers to DESE. This is not something that is tracked by DESE, therefore we have no reports to compare LR to other districts. 
 

Q: What can be done to increase federal funding for the district? Do you feel that the district has exhausted all efforts to apply and receive federal grants?
A: Federal funding for school districts is based on a state formula that encompasses students with disabilities and those who receive free & reduced lunch. Each year, DESE notifies districts of the amount of federal revenue they will receive based on this formula. There is no way to qualify for more federal funds unless the number of students with disabilities or students who receive free & reduced lunch increases. The district does apply for Federal grants for constructing FEMA shelters, which we have utilized for three buildings within the district. 
 

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