Here are real facts and figures about the decision we face at the polls on Tuesday

1) Regardless of the outcome, Wed morning is the beginning of our work as a community to come together and build a true community engineered long range plan for our schools! The bickering must end and we must move ahead for the benefit of St. Joe's Kids.

2) The SJSD is being good stewards with our money. They spend approximately $800 less/child/year than the state average when compared to all school districts and $1,700 less/child/year when compared to school districts the same size. The SJSD CFO & Beau Musser (Benton alumni & CPA who spent hours pouring over the books) agree on these numbers.

3) Our current levy is at the low end of the scale when compared to other school districts in MO. As a result, we are missing out on matching funds from the state of MO, but do not know the exact dollar figure.

4) With regards to the reserve, the passage of this levy buys the SJSD 12 extra months of funding assuming no salary freezes nor deferred maintenance:
a) If the levy passes the reserve will be around the target of 17% set by the SJSD BOE by the end of the 4th fiscal year, starting with the current one.
b) If the levy failes the reserve will be around the target of 17% set by the SJSD BOE by the end of the 3rd fiscal year, starting with the current one.
COF & Musser agree on these numbers.

5) If the SJSD waits the full 5 years for the levy to sunset before returning to the voters, the reserve will be gone and the SJSD will have a negative cash position. In addition, the levy, to sustain the district for the next 5 years, will need to INCREASE by approximately $2.85. CFO & Musser agree on these numbers.

No doubt, we have a tough decision.

My concern is if the levy passes with a sunset we will forever fund our operating levy for our schools with a sunset, which will lead to a long, slow, painful death of a historically solid school district.

Let's stop calling each other names, making degrading remarks and vote our conscience. Then, let's come together, engage our community and decide how we are going support our schools in the long term so we can give our best to St. Joe's Kids - they deserve it!

I think the turn out is going to be hugh and blow Mr Conways projection away.But only time will tell.
I agree with John we need to quite calling people names and degrading each other and on Wednesday we need to come together to work for our childrens future.Some of my children have 12 more years ahead of them in our schools and I want the best for them as well as I think all parents do.But we are going to have to come together from the north,south,west and east sides of this community to get whats right for our children.

The present direction is the same one that has been utilized for almost half a century in this community. It has been effective and the validations are there to support it. My vote is No and I stand by my rationale. This should to be argued for correctly, now, not 5 years from now. I agree, however it plays out, the community as a whole needs to move forward to fix the issues, all the issues with aggressive initiatives, not status quo solutions that do not work. I hope everyone gets out and votes and I expect it to be a record turnout. Anxious for the end of the day to see the results.

john c.... i , too, believe that this will be a surprisingly large turnout.

Simple Majority. I thought new tax measures required a super majority to pass.

Unless I am mistaken, it is only bond issues that require a super majority. Levy proposals do not.

I just left the voting place where we vote and it was packed.I think the turn out is going to be over then what was expected.Also there was a hugh number of our seniors there.

I am giving rides to 27 people through out the day to take them out to vote at their polling stations. I myself have already voted and yes it was crowded.

Honestly, I am still trying to decide whether to vote or not. I have some problems with the failure of the district to answer some basic questions regarding the future of the district and how this proposal will benefit it. As a result I would probably vote no because of that. However, I have a difficult time voting against the district, so not voting would be like abstaining.

drb, just remember that a no vote now will not close the door to a better effort later. a yes, seals our fate.

i think you would regret Not Voting. that doesn't seem to fit from what little i have seen of you. remember, in the council, an abstention is counted with the majority. use your own voice, Either Way.

i, too, will be driving people to the late polls....... from Both camps.

The initial passage of the .63 cent levy required a super majority. Levy, tax or bond they are all one in the same paid for by Missouri taxpayers.
http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/24437.html

NO, Not voting is letting them have their way and stay as is. You should vote. A no vote is, to me, the right way to vote to let the district know they have work to do.

Rabble,
Here is a link to the Mo Constitution on taxation. If I'm reading this correctly it takes a 2/3 majority to increase taxes. Article X section 11c
http://www.moga.mo.gov/const/A10011c.HTM

The story above says "simple majority" is what is needed to pass this today.

matt, you need counseling. SUGGEST REMOVAL.

Matt, I hope most voters have done a little more research into the issues than you. ; )

Just because the article states it that doesn't mean its true. The reporters have been known to make an error or two. If you read the Missouri constitutional link taxedout posted a new tax increase requires a 2/3 majority however a renewal only requires a simple majority. Since this is not a renewal it should require a super-majority to win. I thought that was one of the main reasons that the defeat of the renewal was so devastating to the pro-levy contingency.

Rabble_Rouser: "The reporters have been known to make an error or two." That's an understatement. ; )

Does it matter? Vote yes if you want it to pass vote no if you don't.

As in this case some choices are are difficult. If the community wishes to truly see a change for the good in what needs to happen for improving the school district a vote of no is necessary.
Only then will a clear message be given to the BOE that lip service is no longer acceptable and they must with good faith not only involve but listen to what the community wants to happen.

@sense
Yes it does matter.

Editor Steve Booher here... Buchanan County Clerk Pat Conway reaffirms that a simple majority -- that is, 50 percent plus one vote -- is required for the levy increase to pass today. However, bond issue requirements vary and it's a bit involved to explain here.

Thank you Steve :) that is all I was wondering. In reading all the therefor's and hereins it is hard for a laymen to comprehend.

mr conway stated to me that there is also a hancock ammendment which has designated the november elections of 09 to be declared a general election because of the large number of bond issues this cycle. because we are not having a bond offering this time this is a bit superfluous , but i thought i would throw that out there.

conway also confirms that a levy requires a simple majority, as mr booher kindly points out above.

this is one of the reasons why i LOVE st jo.... a citizen can pick up the phone on an election day and actually speak to the head honcho!!!!!!

Still on the fence about voting ...

Same here !!!

Congratulations, drjbr. Perhaps the advertising dept at the News Press will let you off a little earlier when you're ready to vote.

Can you please NOT stir the M&M Apple pie.....please!

I voted this AM and the polling station was busy, I was amazed.

I had planned on voting no, for several reasons.

Then, the annoying phone calls to vote no started coming in, then the pre-recorded messages asking me to vote no, how totally annoying.

So, I did some soul searching, in part thanks to all those annoying calls, and in part to the fact there is a lot I truly do like about about schools.

I voted YES today, YES I did.

I voted on my lunch hour and the polling place was looking pretty empty. Perhaps the motivated voters got out and voted first thing. It will be interesting to see how it goes after 7PM.

I voted YES today and hope you will too!

hahahaha, i can't believe i missed that David R. Bradley , jr. thats one on me.

Sorry I don't work for the np. I think it is a legitimate position to abstain.

aw, shucks, i almost called B I N G O !!!!! heading off to vote. i had a change of heart, i am voting yes.

*********************************** just joking.

ForestG
I think apple an myself are good I appreciate their position and I think they appreciate my postion.

I only hope drbjr is not Mr Bradley after some of the post I have seen from this person.I would have to call and cancel all of my services from the NP group cable and all.I have to call dish or direct tv and buy.

I wish someone from a Missouri Western polical class did some interviews of people after they voted. It would be good feedback for everyone to here the reasons for voting yes or no -

no voters was it becasue of anger of school closing
They thought the levy was not enough
They are just against taxes
How much did CAFT play into decisions
Want a new school board

Yes voters - need the money
back education
hated the CAFT campain
sunset added

To know where we go from here, getting good feedback from all of the polls could really help us know where to attack our problems no matter the outcome.

You are correct sence hope someone did do some exit polling to gather info this would help with where we go from here and what we do as a community for our education system.