The Paper wishes to state its support for educational amendments three and four and the library tax proposition to be voted on in the November 3 election. Below is a brief explanation of the amendments and the proposition.
I. Amendment Three
A. permits school board to levy $1.85 per $100.00 of assessed
valuation without voter approval. .(presently boards can levy $1.25) B. permits an additional levy of $3.70 with a simple majority vote.
(presently an additional $2.50 can be levied with a simple majority vote) C. total levy possible with majority vote with the amendment is
$5.55. (presently $3.75) II. Amendment Four
A. permits districts not proposing increased tax rate to maintain last
approved rate. B. permits districts with a defeated tax increase to revert to the
last approved rate. (For example, if St. Louis City schools should propose a ten cent tax increase and meet with defeat, the tax rate would go back to the present rate. Presently the rate becomes $1.25 in the case of a defeated levy. This would not allow a school to continue operating.) Missouri public schools are in trouble, and on November 3 the voters will have an opportunity to improve the schools by voting for amendments three and four.
THE PAPER believes that these amendments are realistic measures to help correct the crisis facing education in Missouri.
Although St. Louis City has not yet been forced to propose a tax levy to the voters that requires a two-thirds vote for passage, the county schools have. From anyone’s viewpoint the results are appalling.
We suggest you vote for amendments three and four and avoid the problems of resentful students, curtailed services, reduced programs, closed schools and loss of competent teachers for St. Louis Public Schools.
THE PAPER supports the amendments for the following reasons: (1) A good education is one of the few avenues to success open to the poor in our society, and the amendments would help to provide quality education in Missouri.
(2) When, due to inflation, the cost of living rises six per cent annually, we can no longer expect education to operate on an outmoded budget. The proposed maximum $5.55 rate is more realistic for most districts than the present $3.75 rate is.
(3) Our government is based on the principal of majority rule. Our governing officials — even the president — are elected by a simple majority vote. We feel it is time we put support of our public schools on the same basis.
III. Library Tax Proposition
calls for a ten cent tax increase over the present fifteen cent tax for the free public library The St. Louis Free Public Library is requesting a ten cent tax increas in the November election. This may sound steep, but consider the fact that the last tax increase for the library was in 1962. Inflation has done much to raise operating costs since that time.
According to the library’s public relations department, the library has been operating from reserve funds for some time. The reserves have naturally become dangerously short.
The proposed tax increase would be raised to cover such operating costs as employee salaries, new books and maintenance.
Local libraries would benefit by increased staff and longer hours of service.
THE PAPER urges you to support the library tax proposition. Our Des Peres Branch Library has done an excellent job. Consider the adult and children’s film programs and the summer’s wandering story lady. With the increased revenue we can assure ourselves that such services will continue.
Please support amendments three and four and the library tax proposition on Tuesday, November 3, by voting YES.
Originally published in The Paper, October 1970.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1970_10.pdf, printed page(s) 2.
