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Board declines to place full Prop C rollback waiver on April ballot
Summary
A motion to call a full Prop C rollback reelection for April failed after board members voiced concerns about timing, messaging with a concurrent bond question, and whether the district currently needs additional operating revenue.
The Lee's Summit R‑VII Board of Education voted down a motion on Jan. 14 to call a Proposition C rollback reelection for April. The motion failed after members expressed differing views on the district's fiscal needs and the risk of confusing voters on the same ballot as a bond question.
Vice President Esselick said she opposed placing the Prop C item on the April ballot. "I don't support putting Prop C on the ballot," she said, adding that she did not believe the district lacked funds to provide planned staff salary increases. "I can't stand behind that confidently and say that," she said when explaining why she would not ask voters for additional funding now.
Board Member Myers and Board Member Miller argued for putting the question to voters. "I believe that we have an obligation to accept the CAC's recommendation and put the Prop C on a ballot, and let the public ultimately weigh in," Myers said.
Board members also raised concern that including Prop C on the April ballot could confuse voters and risk sinking the district's proposed bond issue. Several members suggested waiting and convening additional work by Team Lee Summit and staff to produce targeted recommendations for which salary groups or positions would be affected and how much funding would be required before deciding to place a tax question before voters.
Because the motion did not pass, the board will not put a full Prop C rollback waiver on the April ballot. Board members discussed returning the issue later this year after Team Lee Summit completes additional work; several members noted the newly elected board in August would have an opportunity to revisit timing if desired.
The motion that failed was to approve a resolution calling the Prop C rollover election for April. The board did not adopt that resolution on a voice/hand vote.
