Proposition SCSD

Proposition SCSD is a no-tax-rate-increase bond issue that will allow the District to borrow money to fund capital projects such as building renovations, repairs, technology infrastructure/equipment and other building upgrades. If approved, Proposition SCSD will generate approximately $90 million for the District without raising the District's tax rate.

Proposition SCSD will be voted upon on April 8, 2025. 

Shall the Board of Education of the School District of the City of St. Charles, Missouri, borrow money in the amount of Ninety Million Dollars ($90,000,000) for the purpose of constructing, renovating, repairing, improving, furnishing and equipping school sites, buildings and related facilities and acquiring vehicles, including (1) improving learning resources by improving instructional space throughout the District, (2) maintaining school facilities by continuing to fund capital repairs and improvements and (3) implementing and improving safety and security measures to District buildings, and issue general obligation bonds for the payment thereof, resulting in no estimated increase in the debt service property tax levy? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the District is estimated to remain unchanged at seventy-five cents ($0.75) per one hundred dollars assessed valuation of real and personal property. 

Money from bond issues can only be used for capital projects such as building renovations, repairs, technology costs and other building upgrades. No money from the bond issue can or will be used for employee compensation or salary increases.

If approved, the proposition will generate $90 million for the District without raising the District's debt service rate, which is seventy-five cents ($.75) per one hundred dollars assessed valuation of real and personal property. 

The District is able to ask for a bond without raising the debt service due to the District's efforts to pay off existing bond issue debt ahead of schedule. This new debt would be paid back by the existing debt service tax rate over the next twenty years. Additionally, solid financial management of the District has allowed us to address many ongoing maintenance needs over time, reducing the amount that would have otherwise been needed.

For school districts in Missouri, there is no dedicated funding source for the renovation or construction of school facilities. The primary route to gaining access to funding is through the issuance of bonds, like with Prop SCSD, to generate funding for these needs. The District cannot maintain the same debt service tax rate and save this money over the course of several years and avoid issuing bonds (debt). The tax rate for debt service is required to be no larger than what is necessary to pay for existing bonds.  

For the school district, a general obligation bond issue is similar to a homeowner with a mortgage. We are able to access funding at the beginning of the bond issue, and then repay it over 20 years. We believe the Prop SCSD proposal and other bond issues like it are the most responsible way for the district to take care of capital improvements to our existing facilities to ensure they are accessible and equipped properly for succeeding generations of students in our community.

Should Proposition SCSD not be passed by the voters, the district would have to delay or discard significant construction projects and building upgrades vital to keeping our schools safe, secure and up-to-date.

If Proposition SCSD passes, work will begin during the summer of 2025. It would take approximately three years to complete all projects since much of this work will need to be scheduled in and around our use of buildings for school. 

 Yes. In 2021, the District passed a $50 million bond issue that allowed the district to make numerous building upgrades, including a new gymnasium at Null Elementary, renovations to Success Campus, removing the art room at Hardin and more. These new bonds would pay for projects that are necessary for us to keep our buildings in excellent condition for future generations of St. Charles students. Passing a bond issue every three or four years allows the District to address its most pressing needs, while deferring other projects to future bond issues.

Strong, stable public education institutions are the backbone of every successful and prosperous community. Proposition SCSD is a direct investment into community infrastructure that will affect even those who don't have direct ties to the school district. The impact of excellent public schools is felt in residential property values and is a consideration for businesses when considering whether or not to locate within our community. 

If the bond issue passes, many of the major capital projects of the district will be addressed. By seeking voter approval for regular bond issues to take care of these big projects, there is not as much need to spend operating funds on them. This allows more of the operating budget to remain dedicated to instruction in our classrooms.