Northwest R-1 Votes to Maintain Existing Tax Rate

In setting its school tax rate Thursday night, the Northwest School District Board of Education decided less was more. Less of a tax burden should equate into more of a benefit to residents of the district.

The school board voted on a voluntary reduction of the state recommended tax rate, keeping taxes for the 2011-12 school year at $4.44 per $100 assessed valuation, the same as the current rate.

A calculation by the Missouri Auditor's office would have allowed Northwest to increase the rate to $4.49 per $100 assessed valuation.

In calling for a lower tax rate, Northwest Superintendent Paul Ziegler said the economic climate of of the times was a major factor.

"We just think it's the right thing to do because of the state the economy is in," Ziegler said. "Our community is still feeling the effects of the down economy.

Even though the tax rate remains level, The district will collect fewer taxes because the value of residential and commercial property within the district has decreased. In fact, property assessments in the district have remained flat or have declined slightly in recent years, according to Patty Bedborough, executive director of finance for the district. Because of the drop in assessed valuation of the district, there will be  $2.99 million less in revenue to operate the schools.

"We depend heavily on local income to run the school district."

One bright spot that will somewhat offset the drop in local revenue is the prospect of the High Ridge Commons development being built at Highway 30 and High Ridge Boulevard, High Ridge Commons is a retail development that will include a Walmart Supercenter and a variety of smaller businesses. Ziegler says new revenue from High Ridge Commons will help offset losses from the devaluation of property districtwide.

Board president Sherri Talbott said she was happy the board could keep the tax rate flat but said it's not a something the district can afford to do every year since expenses continue to increase. Talbott also is concerned about helping teachers in the years to come. "Our teachers have taken it on the chin as much as anyone in the community, she said. Northwest has lost several teachers though attrition, but has not had to make any teacher layoffs. Teacher raises have been minimal or non-existent in recent years. Large cuts in state revenue for education also was cited as a big factor in the district's economic outlook.