School district official warns Senate Bill 3 would force "drastic budget cuts" for Ozark schools

A school district official warned that if voters approve the property tax limitations in Senate Bill 3, Ozark R-VI could lose $1.8 million to $2.3 million in its first year and up to $10 million by the end of the 2028-29 school year, potentially forcing "drastic budget cuts for Ozark schools," the official said.

The official said approximately "80 to 85% of our operating budget is allocated to salaries and benefits," and that property tax revenue "directly funds those positions." They added that property taxes do not fund building projects: those are paid for through voter-approved bonds and "cannot be used for staff compensation."

The district noted that residential property tax revenue made up 65.6% of its local property tax revenue for the 2025-26 school year, and warned that a residential property tax freeze "interacts with existing laws in complex ways." The official said that when revenue is reduced but expenses such as utilities, insurance, transportation and cost-of-living increases continue to rise, "the purchasing power of every dollar declines."

Faced with the projected shortfall, the speaker said leaders would be required to "evaluate reductions in expenditures," emphasizing that the districts cost structure means cuts would "primarily impact personnel and student-facing services." The official said the districts responsibility is to ensure long-term financial stability while continuing to serve students at the highest level possible.

No formal action or vote on the districts budget was recorded in the provided remarks; the statements were presented as an estimate of fiscal impact and a warning about possible program and personnel reductions if the proposed tax limits are enacted.