Northmont Schools asks Clayton voters to back 3.44‑mill levy; officials outline cuts if it fails

Linda Bloom, president of the Northmont Board of Education, and Tony Thomas, superintendent of Northmont City Schools, appeared at a Clayton City Council meeting to ask residents to support a 3.44‑mill operating levy that the board says would generate $3,500,000 for the district.

Bloom said the district has failed to secure larger levies in two recent elections and stressed local action is now the most practical option. "We truly do. And this district is filled with amazing students, staff, teachers, and community members who care deeply about the more than 4,700 students we serve," Bloom said.

The levy and why it matters: The board previously placed a 7.82‑mill levy on the May 2, 2023 ballot that the district said would have generated about $5.85 million and a 5.5‑mill replacement on the Nov. 7, 2023 ballot that the board said would have generated just over $4,000,000; both failed. The board approved the 3.44‑mill request and a corresponding reduction plan to take effect only if voters reject the new levy, the presenters said. Tony Thomas said the 3.44 mills is "the least amount of millage Northmont has asked for" and described the figure as a transparent proposal equivalent to $10 per month for a $100,000 home.

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