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Francis Howell board approves 2025 tax rate after finance presentation
Summary
The Francis Howell R-III School Board approved the district's 2025 tax rate following an administration presentation that outlined assessed-valuation gains, levy calculations and potential legislative threats that could cut local revenues. Board members said they will continue monitoring effects if state measures advance.
The Francis Howell R-III Board of Education voted Sept. 18 to adopt the district's proposed tax rate after a public hearing and a detailed finance briefing from Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations Dr. Amy St. John.
Dr. St. John told the board the district saw a 9.72% increase in residential assessed value this reassessment year while personal property assessments fell about 4.12%. She said the district's operating levy will be set at $3.30 per $100 of assessed value, down from $3.41 last year, while the debt-service levy remains about $0.6713. "This year compared to last year, we saw an increase of 9.72% in real estate, and actually a decrease in personal property by 4.12%," Dr. St. John said during the presentation.
The administration described how state limits known as the Hancock Amendment require the district to choose the lowest of several growth measures when setting rates, and how those calculations, together with reassessment timing, determine local levies. The presentation included the district's estimated total assessed valuation (reported in the presentation as roughly $4.1 billion) and an assumed new-revenue estimate of about $5.4 million based on a full collection rate.
Dr. St. John also warned of pending statewide proposals that could shrink local revenue: Senate Bill 3 (a proposed property-tax freeze) and recent House joint resolutions 5–8 that would affect personal-property taxation. Using district assumptions, she said an initial Senate Bill 3 effect could be a roughly $4 million loss in the first year and up to $20 million in later-year scenarios. "If you stretch it out to 5 years it could be as much as $20,000,000 per year in loss," she said.
Board members praised the clarity of the report and asked the administration to keep the board and public informed. After discussion, Director Kushkar moved to approve the tax rate as presented; Director Ponder seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote.
The administration said it will continue monthly tracking and public outreach, including a Citizens in Our Schools session focused on finance starting Sept. 30, and follow-up meetings with local legislators to explain the fiscal implications should state measures move forward.
