For Our Kids, For the Future:
Vote Yes on April 7
The Lone Jack C6 School District’s bond/levy issue would provide the resources and support needed to improve schools’ infrastructure, build new elementary library and offices, increase security, improve technology throughout the district, as well as improve and add many vital items across the district. The bond allows the district to build many of these needed entities. The levy would allow the school district to meet the increased costs of insurance, utilities, food, transportation, competitive salaries, technology, textbooks, and extracurricular activities.
The bond and tax levy would generate the much needed facilities and funds essential to promote and nurture Lone Jack’s students’ success.
The support is needed throughout our community to pass this important measure. Vote yes on April 7, for our kids, for the future.
· Building Brand New Library Media Center and Offices at Elementary
· Major updates to Technology throughout district
· Security System
· Increase/Update computers in computer labs
· Update/Reface Elementary School
· Resurfacing High School Parking Lot to meet city code
· Pave Elementary Parking Lot to meet city code
· Resurface High School Track
· Acoustical Treatment for Elementary Gymnasium
· Basketball Goals at Elementary Gymnasium
Last Day to Register to Vote March 11
Primary Community Dinner March 24
Elementary Community Dinner March 31
High School Community Dinner April 2
Voting Day April 7
Lone Jack c6 School District
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Q. How does the current Lone Jack operating levy rates compare with other schools in Jackson, Johnson or Cass counties?
A. The Lone Jack C6 School District has had the lowest operating school levy in Jackson, Johnson and Cass counties for many years. (This year, Sherwood has a $.01 lower levy.)
2. Q. I heard that Lone Jack School District has over $1 million in reserve. Can’t we use some of that money instead of increasing the operating levy?
A. In the past three years our operating reserve has dropped from $1.5 million to $1 million. We cannot continue to deficit spend. (The Department of Education requires a district to keep 3 months in reserve. Three months of reserve on a $6 million budget is $1.5 million.)
3. Q. We just had a levy increase about 6 years ago. What has changed to cause the need for another levy increase now?
A. The increase in assessed valuation of our property never equals the increasing prices of the things we need to purchase for our school. Also, our increased assessed valuation has eliminated half of the $.40 levy we passed six years ago. Our operating levy has declined from $3.40 to $3.20. (As assessed valuation goes up, the levy rate will go down.)
4. Q. What if the levy rate increase isn’t approved?
A. Increased class sizes and the elimination of some programs could very possibly occur given the likely funding shortfall. We have the possibility of running the levy a second or third time in the elections of June or August. By September 1st, however, we must declare the levy rate to each of the county clerks.
5. Q. Can we be sure that there will be no more levy increases for several years?
A. The administration and school board has been very conservative in their spending. We have worked hard to get the most out of each dollar. With our financial background, and with our careful scrutiny of our revenue, it would probably be many years before another levy increase, however, future growth may dictate the need for an adjustment in the levy.
6. Q. After the last bond, the items promised were not completed, such as the elementary school parking lot and 6 basketball goals in the new elementary gym. Why should we trust that these, as well as the new items will get done this time?
A. Bond estimates are made prior to the election. Actual contractor bids are not allowed until after passage of a bond measure. The pre-vote estimates (and the ultimate construction costs) may differ. We try to maximize the approved funding to its fullest.
7. Q. We keep hearing there will be growth, but growth has been slow or flat. Why do we need more operating funds if there isn’t any significant additional growth occurring?
A. The laws in the state of Missouri limit the amount of levy increase according to your assessed valuation. When the assessed valuation goes up more than 3%-4%, the levy rate declines. Consequently, our 3%-4% increase in revenue never matches the increased costs of insurance, utilities, food, textbooks, transportation, technology and extra-curricular activities.
8. Q. With the passage of Proposition A in Missouri, won’t Lone Jack get much of the needed funding from that revenue source?
A. Proposition A is known as the gambling money from casinos and has never paid schools according to what we were promised. Proposition A eliminates the $500 “loss limit” and will entice people to gamble for higher stakes, thus losing more money. This will generate a very small amount of additional revenue for our schools.
9. Q. How does our teacher salary scale compare with other schools?
A. The schools to the West, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs and Grain Valley have better salaries than we do. As to the schools to the South and East, we do compare favorably and are slightly ahead of some.
10. Q. What is the difference between a levy and an obligation bond?
A. A levy rate is the amount of tax money you will receive according to your assessed valuation. Levy rate - times assessed valuation – divided by 100 - determines the taxes you owe. The taxes from your operating levy pays for everything other than debt. A Bond is permission to go into debt to finance a capital project and the bond is repaid through the debt service fund. The only thing the debt service funds do is pay off our debt.
11. Q. What can I do to help increase non-residential tax revenues for the Lone Jack School District?
A. Help is needed by working with our City Council and enticing business to come to our community. Virtually, Lone Jack does not have a commercial tax base and that certainly puts a strain on our school budget. Please invite and encourage business to come to our community. Starting a Chamber of Commerce would be beneficial.
12. Q. How can I make sure I’m registered to vote or how do I register?
A. You may register at your county election board as well as your city hall. There are also special days you can register to vote at the city library. Also, there is an online voter registration form and the Department of Motor Vehicles offers the service.
The last day to register to vote in the April election is March 11th.
Any Questions – be sure to call me or come by my office for a visit.
Thanks for your needed support.
Dr. Ron Davies
Superintendent of Schools