St. Joseph School District
Proposition 2 (2024)
- Building the Future
- Long Range Plan Highlights
- Ballot Language
- Proposed High School Renderings
- Estimated Tax Impact of Proposed Bond Issue
- Frequently Asked Questions
Building the Future
Vision Forward
In 2022, the St. Joseph School District launched Vision Forward, a collaborative initiative designed to create a long-range plan that reflects the priorities of our community. A broad-based group of parents, staff, alumni, business owners, and community members participated in workshops to discuss the future of the district. Through this process, stakeholders identified key challenges and opportunities for improvement, laying the groundwork for a strategic vision to guide the district in the years ahead.
The Long-Range Plan
As a result of Vision Forward, the district developed a long-range plan centered on three main objectives:
- Recruitment and retention of high-quality staff – Addressing Missouri’s low teacher retention rates and ensuring competitive salaries.
- Improving student performance – Increasing kindergarten readiness, reducing dropout rates, and raising overall educational attainment in Buchanan County.
- Supporting facilities for learning – Modernizing school buildings to meet current educational standards and restructuring the district’s high school and middle school configuration to better serve students.
A major takeaway from this planning process was the urgent need to invest in updated school facilities. The majority of district buildings are over 60 years old, and St. Joseph has fallen behind neighboring districts in providing modern learning environments. The long-range plan calls for moving from three high schools to two, redrawing boundaries, and reconfiguring middle schools to improve efficiency and educational opportunities.
Proposition 2: A Step Toward the Future
To address these facility needs, Proposition 2 will be on the ballot, asking voters to approve a $157 million bond to fund:
- The construction of a new high school complex south of US Highway 36, featuring updated classrooms, technology, and extracurricular facilities.
- The acquisition of land to support the project.
- Additional repairs and improvements to existing facilities, as funds allow.
If approved, Prop 2 would increase the district’s debt service levy by $0.60 per $100 of assessed valuation, helping to fund critical improvements that will shape the future of education in St. Joseph.
Executive Summary of Financing Options
This bond proposal represents a significant step in fulfilling the vision set forth by our community. By investing in modern, efficient schools, we are ensuring that St. Joseph students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed—today and for generations to come.
Long Range Plan Highlights
Ballot Language
PROPOSITION 2
Shall the Board of Education of the School District of St. Joseph, Missouri borrow money in the amount of One Hundred Fifty Seven Million Dollars ($157,000,000) for the purpose of providing funds for the site development, construction, equipping, and furnishing of a new High School complex that will be located south of US Highway 36; to acquire land; to the extent funds are available, complete other repairs and improvements to the existing facilities of the District; and issue general obligation bonds for the payment thereof resulting in an estimated increase to the debt service property tax levy of $0.6000 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation?
If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the School District is estimated to increase from $0.5300 to $1.1300 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.
Proposed High School Renderings
Estimated Tax Impact of Proposed Bond Issue
The debt service levy increase for the proposed general obligation bond issue for the St. Joseph School District is expected to be 60.00 Cents per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation. The attached tables list what the increase is for various values of homes, values of personal property, and acreage of agricultural property in the District.
- Residential Property (Assessed at 19% of appraised market value)
- Personal Property (Assessed at 331/3% of appraised market value)
- Commercial Property (Assessed at 12% of appraised market value)
- Personal Agricultural Property (Assessed at 12% of appraised market value)
- Agricultural Property in Buchanan County (Assessed at 12% of production value)
Residential Property (Assessed at 19% of appraised market value)
Market or Appraised Value represents what a person can reasonably expect from selling his property. Assessed Value is the percentage of appraised value for the property upon which taxes are levied. In Missouri, residential property is to be assessed at 19% of appraised value. Hence a $100,000 home (appraised value) would be assessed at a value of $19,000 (0.19 x $100,000 = $19,000).
| Appraised Value of Residence | Assessed Value of Residence | Annual Expense for Levy Increase | Monthly Expense for Levy Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $9,500 | $57.00 | $4.75 |
| $60,000 | $11,400 | $68.40 | $5.70 |
| $70,000 | $13,300 | $79.80 | $6.65 |
| $80,000 | $15,200 | $91.20 | $7.60 |
| $90,000 | $17,100 | $102.60 | $8.55 |
| $100,000 | $19,000 | $114.00 | $9.50 |
| $150,000 | $28,500 | $171.00 | $14.25 |
| $200,000 | $38,000 | $228.00 | $19.00 |
| $250,000 | $47,500 | $285.00 | $23.75 |
Personal Property (Assessed at 331/3% of appraised market value)
In the State of Missouri, personal property is assessed at 33-1/3% of appraised value and covers such items as automobiles, recreational vehicles, boats, etc., which normally depreciate at a fairly rapid rate. A taxpayer who owns a 2015 pickup valued at $21,500 would be assessed at $7,160 ($21,500 x .333 = $7,160). To exactly compute one’s taxes for personal property it is necessary to have the assessed value figures, which are available from the Buchanan County Assessor’s office.
| Appraised Value of Personal Property | Assessed Value of Personal Property | Annual Expense for Levy Increase | Monthly Expense for Levy Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $1,667 | $10.00 | $0.83 |
| $10,000 | $3,333 | $20.00 | $1.67 |
| $15,000 | $5,000 | $30.00 | $2.50 |
| $20,000 | $6,666 | $40.00 | $3.33 |
| $30,000 | $9,999 | $59.99 | $5.00 |
| $40,000 | $13,332 | $79.99 | $6.67 |
| $100,000 | $33,330 | $199.98 | $16.67 |
Commercial Property (Assessed at 12% of appraised market value)
| Appraised Value of Commercial Property | Assessed Value of Commercial Property | Annual Expense for Levy Increase | Monthly Expense for Levy Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $16,000 | $96.00 | $8.00 |
| $100,000 | $32,000 | $192.00 | $16.00 |
| $250,000 | $80,000 | $480.00 | $40.00 |
| $500,000 | $160,000 | $960.00 | $80.00 |
| $750,000 | $240,000 | $1,440.00 | $120.00 |
| $1,000,000 | $320,000 | $1,920.00 | $160.00 |
| $2,000,000 | $640,000 | $3,840.00 | $320.00 |
Personal Agricultural Property (Assessed at 12% of appraised market value)
In the State of Missouri, livestock, poultry, and farm machinery is assessed at 12% of appraised value. The value of this type of property is reported to the assessor by the taxpayer. To exactly compute one’s taxes for personal property it is necessary to have the assessed value figures, which are available from the Buchanan County Assessor’s office.
| Appraised Value of Livestock, Poultry, and Farm Machinery |
Assessed Value of Livestock, Poultry, and Farm Machinery |
Annual Expense for Levy Increase | Monthly Expense for Levy Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $1,200 | $7.20 | $0.60 |
| $50,000 | $6,000 | $36.00 | $3.00 |
| $100,000 | $12,000 | $72.00 | $6.00 |
| $250,000 | $30,000 | $180.00 | $15.00 |
| $500,000 | $60,000 | $360.00 | $30.00 |
| $1,000,000 | $120,000 | $720.00 | $60.00 |
Agricultural Property in Buchanan County (Assessed at 12% of production value)
Agricultural property in the State of Missouri is assessed at 12% of the production value of the land. The County Assessor utilizes state guidelines to classify land into one of eight “grades” or “categories”. It is anticipated that the majority of agricultural property in the St. Joseph School District falls into Categories 3, 4, and 5. In the attached tables, a breakdown of cost is presented based on a total acreage basis.
| Soil Grade 3 Acreage | Assessed Value of Land ($77.40/acre) |
Annual Expense for Levy Increase | Monthly Expense for Levy Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | $3,096 | $18.58 | $1.55 |
| 80 | $6,192 | $37.15 | $3.10 |
| 160 | $12,384 | $74.30 | $6.19 |
| 320 | $24,768 | $148.61 | $12.38 |
| 640 | $49,536 | $297.22 | $24.77 |
| Soil Grade 4 Acreage | Assessed Value of Land ($48.60/acre) |
Annual Expense for Levy Increase | Monthly Expense for Levy Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | $1,944 | $11.66 | $0.97 |
| 80 | $3,888 | $23.33 | $1.94 |
| 160 | $7,776 | $46.66 | $3.89 |
| 320 | $15,552 | $93.31 | $7.78 |
| 640 | $31,104 | $186.62 | $15.55 |
| Soil Grade 5 Acreage | Assessed Value of Land ($22.92/acre) |
Annual Expense for Levy Increase | Monthly Expense for Levy Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | $917 | $5.50 | $0.46 |
| 80 | $1,834 | $11.00 | $0.92 |
| 160 | $3,667 | $22.00 | $1.83 |
| 320 | $7,334 | $44.01 | $3.67 |
| 640 | $14,669 | $88.01 | $7.33 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Tax & Financial Questions
Q. How does this tax increase compare to other school districts in Missouri?
A. See attachment from LJ Hart.
Q. How long will this tax increase be in place?
A. 20 years
Q. Will this bond cover all costs, or will additional funding be needed in the future?
A. This will cover all costs for the construction of the new high school as planned.
Q. How has the district managed past bond funds, and were those projects completed successfully?
A. The current bond issue we are managing was passed in 2024. Numerous projects are in different stages of completion. The district has made prepayments in past years to accelerate the reduction in debt to facilitate this project. For more information about 2024 Bond expenditures, click here.
New High School & Facilities Questions
Q. Where exactly will the new high school be located?
A. It will be located south of Highway 36.
Q. What will happen to the current high school buildings after the transition to two high schools?
A. They will be utilized as middle schools and possibly an administrative building.
Q. How was the decision made to build a new high school instead of renovating existing ones?
A. The board decided to explore building a new high school for the first time since the 1940s.
Q. Will the new school be larger, and how many students will it serve?
A. The new high school will house approximately 1,400–1,500 students.
Q. What new academic and extracurricular opportunities will be available at the new high school?
A. By moving to two high schools, both high schools will have the same academic and extracurricular opportunities.
Q. Will students be required to change schools once the new high school opens?
A. When the new high school opens, redrawn boundary lines will move some students to different schools to place all into two high schools.
Q. How will school boundary changes be determined, and when will it take effect?
A. They will be determined by population and geography to balance the two high schools. This will take effect in the fall of 2028, when the new high school opens.
Q. Will there continue to be open enrollment?
A. For the two high schools to be balanced, open enrollment will need to end.
Q. What happens if Prop 2 does not pass?
A: According to the district’s long-range plan, the district will transition to a two high school model. Due to capacity limitations, the only viable option for two high schools at that time would be Lafayette and Central. In which case, reconfiguration would occur fall 2026.
Impact on Students & Staff
Q. What will happen to staff at the existing high schools? Will there be job losses?
A. Staff will be redistributed from the three high schools to the two high schools. No job losses are anticipated.
Q. Will class sizes increase as a result of this transition?
A. In some areas, possibly, because of the current smaller classes at Benton and Lafayette, but overall, the class sizes are not anticipated to change on a large scale.
Q. How will this project impact students currently in middle school and elementary school?
A. The students currently in middle school and elementary school will be able to be put into true feeder patterns once the district has two high schools. Both would also have a consistent grade configuration. No changes would be made until the high schools are in the two high school model.
Construction & Timeline
Q. How long will it take to build the new high school?
A. Scheduled to open in fall of 2028.
Q. Will construction cause disruptions to nearby neighborhoods?
A. It will depend on the location. Any disruptions should be minimal.
Community & Public Engagement
Q. How will the new school benefit the community?
A. As a district, we believe a new high school will enhance our entire school system by improving our facilities. Stronger schools contribute to a stronger community, benefiting everyone.
Q. How can the public stay informed about the progress of this project?
A. The public can stay informed through various channels, including the district website, social media, newsletters, board meeting reports, and news stories.
Q. Will there be additional opportunities for community input before final decisions are made?
A. No. The long-range plan was built from the Vision Forward community engagement process in 2022. A broad-based group of parents, staff, alumni, business owners, and community members participated in workshops to discuss the future of the district. This process laid the groundwork for a strategic vision to guide the district in the years ahead.