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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What would the no-tax-increase bond issue pay for?
Proposition Pirates to address facility needs, including aging and undersized buildings and increasing enrollment. The proposed plan includes maximizing the available $7.5 million to make significant improvements for failing roofs, HVAC and parking/traffic circulation across the entire district without raising annual tax rates for the community. Additional classroom and learning spaces at Ash Grove Elementary and Bois D’Arc Elementary will be remodeled and constructed as funds allow.
How can we complete these projects without raising taxes?
Bonds are low-interest loans the district pays back using funds from its debt service levy. Funds from the debt service levy cannot be used to pay for salaries, classroom supplies or other routine, budgeted items that support teaching and learning in the classroom. AG Schools can borrow approximately $7.5 million in bond funds without raising the debt service levy used to repay the financing. With the new bond issue on the April 8th election ballot, AG will be able to complete the projects in our new facilities plan using the existing levy rate. Voter approval would mean that the current debt service levy is extended approximately 10 more years.
Will my taxes increase if this bond issue passes?
If passed, residents will not see a tax increase due to this bond issue. Bonds are issued on 20 year notes. Currently, the Ash Grove School District has bond notes that were issued beginning in 2010. Passing this bond issue will extend our current bonding payments and bonding capacity.
What happens if the Bond issue doesn’t pass?
Additions and renovations to address our increasing enrollment will need to be put on hold, further delaying needed updates to these aging facilities. Additional trailers will likely need to be added to accommodate growing enrollment and facilities will continue to age and deteriorate. Currently, about half of the roofs across the district need to be replaced and many HVAC units are more than 25 years old and in constant need of repair. These issues would have to be targeted on a case by case basis as funds allow.
How does Ash Grove’s bond and tax levy compare to other schools around us?
Ash Grove Schools currently has $2.9342 in the operating levy. Our debt service (bonds that are borrowed monies) levy is $0.7146 for a total levy of $3.6488.
(Capital fund dollars are monies designated from the local levy for construction and maintenance.)
What is the difference between a bond and levy?
A school bond funds capital projects like building new schools or renovating existing school structures, while a levy funds educational programs and operations (Educational materials, teacher and staff salaries, transportation and utilities). Both are local property taxes that are approved by voters.
If I do not have children in school, how will this impact me?
Strong schools are essential to thriving neighborhoods and a strong local economy. Demographic and economic data consistently shows that vibrant, successful schools are assets to their communities, increasing property values, attracting investment and benefiting neighbors.
What percentage of the vote is needed to pass Proposition Pirates?
Proposition Pirates requires a four-sevenths (or 57.14%) “YES” vote in order to pass on April 8, 2025.
Will my personal property taxes decrease if this does not pass?
In short, no. If Proposition Pirates does not pass, voters/residents will not see a tax decrease in the near future. Eventually as bonds are paid off over the next 10 to 20 years, property taxes would decrease. However, this would delay the execution of our long-range facility master plan and needed updates/additions to our oldest schools.
What happens if the No Tax Levy Increase bond issue doesn’t pass?
Additions and renovations will need to be put on hold, further delaying needed updates to these aging facilities. Additional trailers may need to be added to accommodate growing enrollment and facilities will continue to age and deteriorate.
How does a Bond Issue protect money spent on students and teachers & support staff salaries?
General Obligation bonds provide funds for capital improvements so that a district does not have to use their Operating Funds (money used for educating students and paying teachers and staff) on such improvements.
When will the projects be completed?
If passed, roof and HVAC improvements will begin immediately. Additions and renovations will be completed by the 2026-2027 school year with circulation improvements to coincide with projects.
When is the election?
Election Day is on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
Why doesn’t the district ask for more bond money to take care of all of the maintenance projects?
The state of Missouri limits how much the district can ask for (15% of assessed value of the property in the district). Our needs are more than we can ask for, so we are dividing the needs over several years so we can expand buildings and perform renovations a little at a time. We can’t address our needs all at once, so we will do a little at a time.
What will the school district do if bids come in higher than anticipated?
Contractors submit bids on architectural plans that contain various options that can be added to or deleted from any project. This allows the base project to be completed, regardless of costs going up or down and for the addition of more things as funding allows.
How were the proposed improvements chosen?
Several of the proposed bond items are district identified needs for improvements to roofs, HVAC and circulation. A long range planning committee consisting of 34 members from the community and school toured the district’s campuses to identify needs and prioritize areas for improvement. Sapp Design Architects also toured the district evaluating our current facilities to help identify which prioritized needs could be addressed with the available bonding capacity following the required maintenance projects for roofing, HVAC, traffic circulation and safety needs.
Will the new classrooms increase the number of teachers in these schools?
No, we currently have enough teachers, but lack enough adequate spaces for classrooms. Proposition Pirates will provide much needed space and will move students from undersized and insufficient classrooms to appropriately sized learning spaces. The district will be able to fund additional teachers in the future through funds received from growing enrollment to accommodate class sizes.
How will Proposition Pirates read on the ballot?
“Shall the Board of Education of the Ash Grove R-IV School District, Missouri, without an estimated increase in the current debt service property tax levy, borrow money in the amount of Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000) for the purpose of providing funds to increase safety and security by installing fencing and additional security entry access doors; to repair and/or replace roofs; to improve heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; to improve traffic circulation; to make District-wide building upgrades; to the extent funds are available, acquire land and complete other repairs and improvements to the existing facilities of the District; and issue general obligation bonds for the payment thereof? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the School District is estimated to remain unchanged at $o.7146 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.”
This information is provided by the Ash Grove School District as a service to its patrons. If you have questions or need additional information, please call 417-751-2534.
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