Mehlville board approves placing Prop A on November ballot after survey shows majority support
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Summary
The Mehlville R-IX Board of Education voted unanimously to file ballot language for Proposition A, a measure that would make a temporary capital levy permanent and redirect part of a debt-service levy to operating funds, providing an estimated $1.4 million a year for facilities, buses, technology and safety without raising the current tax rate.
The Mehlville R-IX Board of Education voted 7-0 Aug. 21 to approve ballot language for Proposition A and to file it with the county Board of Elections for the Nov. 2025 election. The measure would make a temporary capital levy permanent and redirect 2.4 cents from the district's debt-service levy to operating revenue, producing an estimated $1.4 million annually without increasing the current tax rate.
Board members said the proposal is intended to create a dedicated, predictable funding stream for recurring capital needs. "This guarantees ongoing annual specific maintenance even in times of economic hardship," Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hogg said while presenting the proposed ballot language. Hogg and Chief Financial Officer Marshall Crutcher described how the levy pieces combine to cover recurring costs.
The ballot language follows a community survey conducted by Opinion Research Specialists in June and July. Jessica Papillo, the district's chief communications officer, told the board the survey produced 1,137 completed responses (a 33% response rate) and a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Of respondents, 48% said they strongly supported the proposal and 15% somewhat supported it, yielding a combined favorable reading of about 63% (the mailed-only responses showed 59% support, Papillo said).
Under the proposal, two pieces combine to raise the estimated $1.4 million: making permanent a temporary capital levy that currently brings in about $822,000 a year, and redirecting 2.4 cents from the Proposition S debt service levy to operating revenue (estimated at $605,000 annually). Hogg said the combined 5.66 cents would be restricted to replacing buses and maintaining infrastructure such as roofs, parking lots, HVAC systems, technology equipment and building security.
The board received a district cost breakdown showing annual recurring capital needs of roughly $2.3 million, including about $850,000 for roofing, $700,000 for buses, $325,000 for parking-lot maintenance and $450,000 for technology and equipment. Hogg said the proposed funding would cover about 61% of those predictable needs.
Board members spoke in favor of placing the measure before voters. "This is smart, long-term planning," said Board Member (and former board president) who noted the district's years of deferred maintenance and the benefits of steady, dedicated funding. Several members emphasized that the restriction in the ballot language would prevent the district from shifting those funds to unrelated uses.
The board motion to approve the ballot language passed 7-0. No public comments were recorded on the agenda item.
The district has posted more information and the survey results on its website; Papillo also noted that mailed survey responses were slightly elevated after the postal delivery was delayed and the district asked for additional returns.
If approved by voters, Prop A would take effect according to local election and implementation processes and limit the listed uses to capital and maintenance items spelled out in the ballot language.
