Investing in Our Schools, Our Staff, and Our Future

Excelsior Springs School District is committed to providing high-quality education by ensuring we can attract and retain top educators and support staff. To remain competitive with surrounding districts and continue offering exceptional learning opportunities for our students, we are proposing an operating tax levy increase for the first time in decades.

This proposed levy adjustment will directly support staff salaries and benefits, helping us recruit and retain the best educators while maintaining the strong, student-focused learning environment our community values.

Levy Proposal Question

Shall the Board of Education of Excelsior Springs School District #40 be authorized to increase the operating tax levy ceiling to $5.3089 per $100 of assessed valuation according to the 2025 assessment for general operating expenses of the District, including increasing compensation for employees to attract and retain quality faculty and staff?

If this question is approved, the operating tax levy of the District is estimated to increase by $0.70 per $100 of assessed valuation.

Why This Levy is Needed:

• Current total levy: $5.2262 per $100 assessed valuation.

• Proposed increase: $0.70 per $100 assessed valuation to directly fund staff salaries and benefits.

• The district has prioritized staff pay, using a healthy operations balance and anticipated state funding to make competitive increases.

• Over the past five years, the board has increased base teacher salaries by $6,000 and raised entry-level classified pay by approximately $4 per hour to stay competitive, meet minimum wage increases, and attract and retain highly qualified staff.

• However, additional operating funds are now necessary to sustain current salary commitments and continue improving staff pay.

What This Levy Will Do

• Ensure competitive salaries to attract and retain high-quality educators and staff.

• Keep experienced teachers in our classrooms and provide the best education for students.

• Prevent further reductions in reserve balances and allow for moderate, sustainable salary increases—ideally continuing annually as district revenue grows.

• Support the long-term stability of our schools and the future success of our students.

Why This Levy is Critical for Our Schools & Community

• This is not just about a tax increase—it’s about investing in the people who educate, support, and care for our students every day.

• Strong schools strengthen property values, attract families, and support the long-term success of our community.

• By securing this funding, we can provide competitive salaries, retain high-quality staff, and ensure our students receive the best education possible.

• Your support is vital—together, we can make sure Excelsior Springs remains a place where great teachers stay, students thrive, and our schools continue to grow.

This levy is an investment in our educators, our students, and our entire community—because strong schools build strong communities.

Levy Proposal Questions FAQs

Q: When is the election?

A: Election Day is Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Q: Where do I vote?
A: Your voter card, sent by the County Board of Elections, will provide this information. If you cannot find your card, please contact the Board of Elections:

• Clay County: 816-415-8683

• Ray County: 816-776-4502

If you cannot vote in person on April 8, 2025, you can request an absentee ballot.

Q: What are the No Excuse Absentee voting dates?
A: During the two weeks prior to the election, you may vote a no-excuse absentee ballot in person at a location designated by your local election authority. When voting an absentee ballot in person, you must show an acceptable form of photo ID.

Q: When is the last day to register to vote?
A: The last day to register to vote is Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Click HERE for information on how to register to vote.

Q: What does it take to pass a levy proposal question?
A: A levy proposal must have just above 50% in yes votes (a simple majority).

Q: Why does the district prioritize staff compensation with the levy proposal?
A: Competitive compensation is critical to attracting and retaining high-quality educators and staff, directly impacting the quality of education for students.

Q: How is the tax levy calculated on my property?

A: Taxes are calculated based on the assessed value of your home and personal property, as determined by the county assessor. For example, a home with an assessed value of $100,000 would generate taxes based on that amount, not the market value.

Q: What is the difference between my assessed value and the market value of my property?
A: Market Value: This is the price a realtor might list your home for, or the amount you could expect to sell it for in the current housing market. It reflects market conditions, comparable property sales, and other factors.
Assessed Value: This value is calculated by your county for property tax purposes and is typically lower than the market value. The taxable value is determined by multiplying your property’s assessed value by a specific assessment ratio, which varies based on your property classification: Agricultural: 12%, Residential: 19%, Commercial: 32%.

Q: What happens if the Levy Initiative doesn't pass?

A: If the proposed levy does not pass, our district may face financial challenges that could impact both students and staff. To continue providing the best education possible, it is essential that we remain competitive with surrounding districts in staff pay and benefits. Without the additional funding this levy would provide, the district may need to make difficult decisions to sustain the level of excellence our students and community expect. 

These difficult decisions could include:

• Reducing or Eliminating Programs: Valuable programs that enrich our students’ educational experiences - such as extracurricular activities, intramurals, arts, music, advanced academic offerings, STEM initiatives, and other leadership opportunities may face cuts due to insufficient funding.

• Increasing Class Sizes: Budget constraints could lead to a reduction in teaching staff, resulting in larger class sizes. This change can diminish the quality of instruction and limit personalized attention for each student.

• Cutting After-School Opportunities: After-school programs that provide academic support and safe environments for students may be reduced or eliminated, impacting families who rely on these services.

• Reducing Support Staff: Critical support services that help ensure a positive learning environment may face reductions, affecting the comprehensive support system our students depend on.

Q: How can I be sure the funds will be used as promised?

A: The district follows strict state regulations and yearly financial audits to ensure all funds are spent as approved by voters.

Closing the Pay Gap: Investing in Our Staff

Excelsior Springs School District is committed to providing high-quality education by ensuring we can attract and retain top educators and support staff. To remain competitive with surrounding districts and continue offering exceptional learning opportunities for our students, we are proposing an operating tax levy increase for the first time in decades.

This proposed levy adjustment will directly support staff salaries and benefits, helping us recruit and retain the best educators while maintaining the strong, student-focused learning environment our community values.

Learn more about the levy proposal, its impact, and how it supports our schools, staff, and students by exploring the resources below. Together, we can invest in the future of Excelsior Springs.

Ensuring a Stable Budget & Long-Term Growth

• This levy prevents further reductions in district reserve balances, ensuring we can operate a balanced budget without cutting critical programs or services.

• The funding will allow for moderate salary increases, with the goal of continuing to improve staff compensation annually based on district revenue growth.

• This is not a temporary fix—it is a long-term investment in keeping our schools strong and our staff well-supported.

Previous No Tax Rate Increase Approvals: Focused on Facilities and Capital Improvements

Excelsior Springs School District has continuously worked to improve facilities and provide competitive staff compensation while remaining fiscally responsible—all without a voter-approved increase to the tax rate ceiling. However, it is important to note that previous no tax rate increase approvals have been designated specifically for debt services and capital project funds, which are used exclusively for facility-related expenditures, such as building construction, renovations, and major equipment purchases.

These previously approved no tax rate increase proposals were part of our carefully planned Long-Range Facilities Plan, originally developed in 2018-2019 and later renewed before the passing of Proposition Lewis, with input from staff, parents, and the community. This plan ensured that facility needs were addressed strategically while maintaining a stable tax rate.

As part of the Long-Range Facilities Planning process, it was determined that, due to the condition of existing facilities, utilizing funds to build new buildings would be more cost-effective and fiscally responsible than rehabilitating current structures. Renovation would require significant long-term maintenance costs, making new construction the more sustainable and financially sound solution for the district’s future.

Why Can’t These Funds Be Used for Salaries?

In Missouri, state laws and regulations strictly govern how school districts use voter-approved funds. Capital improvement funds cannot be redirected to operational expenses, such as teacher salaries or benefits.

• Bond funds and capital project funds are legally restricted for facility construction, maintenance, and major equipment purchases.

• State laws and local policies ensure these funds are used only for their intended purpose and cannot be allocated to staff compensation.

• Previous voter-approved no tax rate increase bond issues have allowed us to:

• Remodel the High School Commons

• Renovate Elkhorn Elementary, including the addition of a storm shelter

• Construct two new elementary schools

Why Now?

While these past voter-approved initiatives have helped modernize our facilities, they do not address the district’s need for competitive staff salaries. Surrounding communities have raised their tax levies to stay competitive, and without an increase to the operating tax levy ceiling, Excelsior Springs risks falling behind in attracting and retaining top educators and support staff.

The proposed levy increase will ensure we can invest in our staff, recruit and retain quality educators, and continue providing the best education for our students.