'Find Me the Money' in Rockwood

Educating students is one of the most important challenges faced by every community in the United States, especially when it comes to financing all options people want for their children. While a 54 percent majority of Rockwood School District voters supported the $43.2 million Proposition R bond issue in Tuesday's election, it fell short of the state’s requirement of 57.14 percent for passage.

With being approximately the third largest district in Missouri and one of the biggest in the United States, many people now are focused on how Rockwood representatives and taxpayers will creatively tackle a significant budget shortfall. With 22,201 students, the district services 682 acres, making it the largest in St. Louis County.

Rockwood voters have been asked a dozen times in the past 20 years to pass similar 'no tax increase' bond measures. District officials said the last time a bond measure failed was the 2005 Proposition W. It was for $44.5 million, and failed by 230 votes. However, another measure, Proposition K, was approved the following year in 2006.

was established to provide funding in technology, safety measures and infrastructure or maintenance of current facilities. The district has 35 buildings throughout 150 square miles, resulting in 3.6 million square feet of school facilities. It stands to reason all this infrastructure requires a little love and care throughout the years, but how to plan for that maintenance became a key question and debate these past couple of months.

View the entire list of proposed projects to be covered by Proposition R funds as a reminder by clicking here.

This year's bond was recommended by Rockwood's Facilities Committee, which is comprised of district staff, parents and patrons. from the district's Technology and Finance Committees regarding recommendations and priorities.

This week, district spokespeople were quick to remind everyone the needs of the school district do not go away, just because a bond issue did not pass.

What Next Steps Should Be Expected?

Rockwood officials promptly established an online forum this week to solicit patrons' comments by asking:  "What suggestions do you have for addressing the safety, technology, heavy maintenance and infrastructure needs of Rockwood schools?" To log your answers or ideas, click here.

Before answering the online survey, it might be helpful to review the safety improvements for playgrounds, fields, fire alarm systems and electrical systems identified in the lengthy budgeting process, as well as maintenance needs for roofing, masonry and heating and air conditioning units. With the first Rockwood school being built in 1934, all the district's buildings range from 30 to 80 years old.

Pure maintenance needs will be among the first task the district's representatives will have to determine how to cover. "We always have to be sure we can turn on the air-conditioning in August and count on it when school is scheduled to start," said Rockwood Board of Education President Janet Strate. "Those day-to-day issues that affect students, teachers and staff are always front and center in our minds."

For a school or building-specific list regarding proposed projects under the proposition, click here.

Strate said the district's board of directors again would solicit input from Rockwood's various committees, to combine with the feedback it receives from parents, patrons and other district representatives.