SCHOOL ISSUE DEFEATED BY 176 VOTES

Cape Girardeau voters turned down a 37-cent tax increase earmarked for building improvements at the city's schools. Tuesday's ballot issue lost by 176 votes.

According to the unofficial tally, the vote was 2,321 yes to 2,497 no.

The school district asked voters to waive the property-tax rollback provided by Proposition C, the state sales tax for education.

The waiver would have added 37 cents for each $100 of assessed valuation. Last year, the tax rate was $2.87. If voters had restored the rate to the pre-Proposition C level, it would have been $3.24. The measure required a simple majority to pass.

The increase was approved in seven of 19 school district precincts. It also carried among absentee voters.

"Obviously we're very disappointed," said Superintendent Neyland Clark.

Board member Kathy Swan said, "The needs are still there. We still need repairs, maintenance, safety, efficiency, and educational technology, and we still need buildings. We still need solutions to all those needs. We'll be back."

Swan said she believes the issue should be back before voters as soon as possible. "The needs become greater the longer we wait," she said. "What are we going to gain by waiting longer?"

Clark asked County Clerk Rodney Miller to research what upcoming election dates are available for another school tax measure.

The Board of Education meets Monday for its regular meeting. "I know this election and its results will be on the agenda," Clark said.

"We do need the money," Clark added. "We need it deeply to support building improvements."

In addition, he said Tuesday's loss at the polls means a loss of money from state sources. "It's unfair to the community not to try again."

Over the next three years, the increased tax rate would have generated a total of $1.6 million. An increase in state money would have continued annually after that, thanks to Missouri's Senate Bill 380.

The waiver of the Proposition C rollback was the first phase of a two-phase building improvement plan. The second phase was construction of a new elementary school.

It's also the third time voters have said no to a tax increase that would have funded building improvements.

"I suspect the first thing that will be back is the Proposition C issue," said Clark. He said voters who attended open forums held during the winter asked the school district to repair existing buildings.

Board member Bob Fox said, "I'm just dejected. I can't believe, when you look at the vote totals, there are no more people who care about the schools and the kids.

Fox felt positive that the measure would pass Tuesday. "With all the public hearings, this is what the public said they wanted. It's a sad situation."

"We've got to bring it back again," Fox said. Some school buildings have leaky roofs and others don't meet fire codes, he said. "The needs are definitely there."

Fox said he is interested in why people voted against the increase. "Are people upset with the board? The administration? Do they just not want more taxes? If something's wrong, what can we do to make it right."

Clark said the weekend issue about Central High's graduation ceremony might have impacted Tuesday's vote. Some residents were upset over the district's decision to allow seniors who do not meet graduation requirements to participate in Friday's commencement.

"I think the issue hurt," Clark said. "But this was something the board felt fairly sensitive about."

Swan said the graduation ceremony decision was "a totally non-related issue." She added that it should not have had an impact on Tuesday's vote totals.

Fox said the graduation issue "may have some people who are upset, but it's a whole different issue."