St. Louis Public Schools may raise taxes to cover rising costs

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Public School District school board is discussing a tax levy to make up for an increase in operating costs.

These talks come a few months after millions of dollars in raises were approved for teachers. It was around a 20% raise for St. Louis Public School educators over the course of the next three years.

The Chief Financial Advisor for the district says the board is discussing the potential tax hike because of those salary increases. They emphasize that the district is not running out of money.

Revenue for SLPS last year was at an all-time high as they generated more than $650 million. This is partially because of the elementary and secondary school emergency relief fund, where the district received more than $150 million in 2021.

The district’s financial advisor, Angie Banks, says because of that bump, the district has not needed to ask for any additional money from taxpayers.

Last school year, people who live in St. Louis City paid about $4.05 per $100 of assessed property.

Banks says that number could’ve been higher but the school district has limited the tax rate hike each of the last three years. But Tuesday, the board of education talked about potentially lifting that voluntary tax pause.

The board eventually approved the resolution on Tuesday. The highest tax that voters approved in 2016 was $4.50 per $100 of assessed property value.

A tax levy increase could bring the school district millions. The board of education made it clear that under no circumstances can they approve a tax levy above what voters approved in 2016.

A tax hearing and presentation of what the tax hike could look like will be presented in September. This event will be open to the public.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.