Board of Education Set to Discuss Further Tax Strategies In Light of Community Survey Results

The Ladue Schools Board of Education recently received the top-line results of a telephone survey of 600 district patrons. The survey was comprised of questions developed to gauge community satisfaction with the school district, awareness of the district’s financial challenges, and potential support for an operating tax levy increase request.  Registered voters reflective of the general population patterns of the district were randomly selected and called.

Complete survey results, the Executive Summary, as well as the presentation made to the Board of Education are available through the district website as well as this link to BoardDocs.

Significant detail is included in the full report.  Overall results included the following:

• Generally speaking, district residents are very satisfied with the performance of the school district.
• Patrons are very aware of the steps already taken to deal with financial challenges.
• Responders reflected concern about additional changes which might be required if financial challenges remain.
• A cautious level of support exists at the lowest threshold amounts for an operating tax levy increase.

The survey was undertaken as the Board of Education continues to consider the district’s options for meeting the financial challenges caused by increased enrollment, increased expenditures and declining revenue.  The district will receive 9.1% less revenue from property taxes in 2012 than in 2008.  Property taxes are the primary source of the district’s revenue.

Budget cuts of over $5 million were made to balance the 2011-12 school year budget, and came after the district had already cut over $2 million in the previous two years.  With no short-term predictions for economic recovery, the district will have a negative fund balance of over $3 million by school year 2015-16 unless additional expenditure cuts are made and/or additional sources of revenue are created.  Get the details.

Information was provided by the Ladue School District communications department.