Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this being proposed?
Our community repeatedly tells us that their top priority is student safety. Our schools were not built with secure entrances. In many of our buildings, the main office is not adjacent to the front door. This means that visitors can gain access to our students without first checking in with an adult in the office. By constructing security entry vestibules and moving the main offices, we can ensure all visitors are appropriately screened by a school employee before accessing students and classrooms.
Additionally, our buildings require ongoing maintenance, repair and renovation just like our homes. However, years of deferred maintenance have created a backlog of projects and facilities in disrepair. A bond issue allows us to make an investment in our facilities on a cyclical basis. This year, Mehlville School District can make repairs and renovations through the passage of Prop S without raising the total tax levy for district residents.
How were these projects selected?
In January 2019, the Facility Steering Committee began work to identify necessary facilities work at each of our campuses. The committee included community members, and parents and staff representing each of our 19 schools. Together, the committee surveyed parents, students and staff and visited each school in order to see priority needs firsthand and to prioritize those needs. The projects that will be funded by Prop S represent the most pressing needs as identified by the committee.
What is a bond issue?
A bond issue is the traditional way schools borrow money to pay for major school maintenance and repair projects, such as renovations to improve safety and accessibility, replacing HVAC units, adding classroom space, replacing bathrooms, and making other upgrades to worn-out areas.
How do schools use bond issues to benefit students?
Bonds allow schools to pay for costly repairs and renovation over time instead of having to pay all at once. They also allow schools to devote most of their day-to-day operating budgets to student instruction and support instead of major repair work. All St. Louis County school districts have passed at least one bond issue to make facility improvements since 2001 -- except for Mehlville School District.
How can we complete these projects without raising the tax rate?
Each year, Mehlville School District pays off debt from Certificates of Participation (COP, sometimes called a lease), another type of loan for school facilities. Because of responsible financial management, we will soon pay off all of our COP debt. As a result, about 45 cents of the total tax levy will be freed up for our operating budget. We are asking voters to transfer 12 cents of our operating tax rate into our debt services budget to pay the interest and principal on a $35 million bond for facilities improvements.
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What would happen if Prop S does not pass?
Some maintenance and repair work would continue to be deferred and most school renovation projects would be postponed indefinitely. It will cost more in the future to address the needs that exist today. The most critical maintenance and repair needs would still be addressed. To pay for critical maintenance and repairs, more money would have to be spent from the day-to-day operating budget (the portion of the budget that normally pays for classroom instruction, teachers, staff, student supports and supplies).
Prop S addresses overcrowding issues at Bierbaum Elementary School by funding the addition of classrooms. If Prop S does not pass, Mehlville School District will likely need to redistrict, or redraw elementary school boundary lines, in the near future.
If Prop S does not pass, the 12 cents of the tax rate will remain in the operating budget, generating about $2.4 million a year.
How does a bond issue work?
When voters approve a bond issue, Mehlville School District sells bonds and uses the funds generated to complete the capital projects. Bond debt is paid back over time. This process is similar to a home loan. When you purchase a home, you borrow money at a specific interest rate. You make payments on that loan, which include principal and interest, over a period of years. A certain amount of your regular income is budgeted to make those payments. The district can choose to refinance the bonds during the payback period if interest rates make it financially beneficial.
Can the funds be used in any other way?
No. Money from bond issues can only be used for capital expenses, such as major maintenance, repairs and renovations, and equipment. Bond funds cannot be used for operating expenses such as salaries, benefits, transportation costs, utilities, textbooks or other supplies.
How will residents in our community who don’t have students in Mehlville School District benefit from passing this zero tax rate increase bond issue?
The school district in each community is an important part of maintaining high property values. High-quality schools are one of the key components people look for when moving into a new community, and studies have confirmed the link between strong school districts and strong communities. A strong public school system protects property values, provides a qualified workforce and creates a better sense of community.
How many votes are required for passage of Prop S?
Passage of Prop S requires 57.14% (4/7) yes vote – not just a simple majority.
How will we know that funds generated from Prop S will be spent as promised?
Mehlville School District staff will provide regular reports to the Board of Education on Prop S projects completed. Those reports will be available on the district’s website. The Board of Education’s Finance Committee is charged with the oversight of any bond issue measure.