The Ferguson‑Florissant School District board voted Jan. 13 to place a 48¢ operating levy increase on the April 7, 2026 ballot, a measure administrators say would generate roughly $7.3 million in revenue and about $6.9 million when typical collection rates are applied.

Chief Financial Operations Officer Tony Chance told the board the proposed increase — 48¢ per $100 of assessed value — would raise the district's blended operations levy from 4.2595 to 4.7395 and would be used to strengthen safety and security measures, add staff to support Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) documentation and related processes, increase pay for non‑administrative staff such as bus drivers, classroom aides and custodians, and reduce the district's reliance on tax anticipation notes used for short‑term borrowing.

"At a collection rate of 95%, the amount of revenue actually received would be closer to $6,900,000," Chance said in presenting the proposal. He noted the district had borrowed $10 million against its tax anticipation notes in the current fiscal year and described the levy as one element of stabilizing ongoing operations.

Superintendent Dr. Fields and consultant Rick Nobles (Excellence K‑12) referenced community survey results presented earlier in the meeting indicating voter tolerance declines as proposed household costs exceed roughly $200 per year. Nobles recommended keeping homeowner impact below that threshold to improve chances of voter approval; Chance said the 48¢ figure would cost the owner of an average $120,000 home about $109 per year (just under $10 per month).

Board members asked how levy funds would be prioritized. Chance said the levy would not fund long‑term building projects (those would be addressed by a bond measure later) but would support staffing and safety needs and improve fiscal stability. Dr. Fields added the administration plans to present ballot language to the board before final submission to the county.

The board approved a motion to place the levy on the April 7 ballot by roll-call vote (affirmative votes recorded from board members present). The administration will return with ballot language and a schedule for public information and outreach.

Next steps: the board will review and approve final ballot language and post positions for Phase 2 staffing changes referenced in the superintendent's report.