Licking school district to bring operating levy increase before voters

Voters in the Licking R-VIII School District will vote on a 49-cent per $100 of assessed valuation increase in the district’s operating tax levy ceiling Tuesday, Aug. 6.

According to the district, the increase would be used to provide salary increases to employees and pay general operating expenses. If approved, the district’s operating tax levy ceiling would be approximately $3.24 per $100 of assessed valuation.

It has been 51 years since a bond issue or tax levy increase was approved by voters in the district, according to the school. Apart from salaries, the increase would go toward building and facilities maintenance, supplies and transportation.

One reason the district feels it’s necessary to increase the levy is the state’s mandated $40,000 per year base salary for starting teachers in Missouri. Current grants are temporary, and schools will have to absorb this pay increase into their budgets.

Currently, approximately 32% of the schools’ funds come from this levy. For more information visit https://5il.co/2nnvj .

The post Licking school district to bring operating levy increase before voters appeared first on Houston Herald .