Proposition MVS

Frequently Asked Questions

This page is intended to provide information related to

Proposition mvs.

Proposition mvs is a bond issue placed on the ballot for the June General municipal election by the school board of

mount vernon r-v schools.




the april election will be held on Tuesday, June 2.

important dates to remember:

DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

FIRST DAY TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25

LAST DAY TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT: WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

WINDOW FOR IN-PERSON ABSENTEE VOTING: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25-MONDAY, JUNE 1



WHAT PROJECTS ARE INCLUDED IN PROPOSITION MVS?

Proposition MVS is centered around five goals (Safety, Security, Start, Strategy, Students):

SECURITY

    • Proposition MVS provides extensive security upgrades at every campus entry.
        • We are planning to add additional, bullet-resistant, remote-access barriers at each main campus entry.
        • Also, existing glass in these areas will be converted to bullet-resistant glass through application of a film.
        • The Elementary entrance will receive a complete restructure to dramatically increase safety of students and staff.
    • Proposition MVS helps secure the future of the Middle School Campus by addressing structural stability concerns.
    • Proposition MVS helps secure the stability of the mezzanine level in the High School Gym by allowing for construction of a ground-level strength and conditioning classroom.
        • When the "New" High School was constructed in 1997, there was no area designated for a Strength and Conditioning Classroom to house weights equipment.
        • The decision was made to use the mezzanine area in the gym for this purpose.
        • The mezzanine area was constructed for the purpose of housing the upper bleachers, but not the use of weights equipment.
        • Over the course of the past 23 years, multiple cracks have formed in the floor of the mezzanine demonstrating the framing being over-stressed.
        • An engineering firm evaluated the mezzanine area and recommended we return the area to its original usage or invest in a design retrofit to make the area viable as a Strength and Conditioning Classroom.
        • As a result, the decision was made to relocate this classroom to the east hallway behind the gym until a long-term solution could be achieved.
        • Below are some images of the area in which we currently house our Strength and Conditioning classes as well as pictures of the mezzanine area:

SECURITY (CONTINUED)

    • Proposition MVS helps secure the lifespan of our buildings by addressing multiple, critical roof issues.
        • Below are diagrams of regarding the status of roofs at four campuses.
          • Red = In need of immediate replacement
          • Yellow = Three years or less remaining
          • Blue = Seven years remaining
          • Green = Ten years remaining


elementary school campus middle school campus

high school campus south middle school campus

MVHS Kitchen Leak.mp4

SAFETY

    • Proposition MVS provides an Electrical Service Upgrade to address unsafe and inadequate electric systems at our three oldest campuses.
      • Our three oldest campuses (Elementary, Middle, and South) were designed for a different style of education.
      • Not intended to power technology now used on a daily basis.
      • Our systems have been sporadically altered to accommodate needs.
      • The result is we have systems which are inefficient, ineffective, inadequate, and in some cases unsafe.
      • Proposition MVS would rewire these buildings to bring all systems up to code.


SAFETY (CONTINUED)

    • Proposition MVS adds fire alarm systems to buildings in which they are not currently installed.
        • Currently there is no fire alarm at Middle School and South Campus. The fire alarm system at the Elementary is not comprehensive and needs to be connected across all parts of the campus.
    • Proposition MVS replaces several exterior doors which no longer operate at acceptable levels and removes and replaces the ageing combination of various flooring types at South Campus.
        • Many of these doors at South Campus are chained shut because they will no longer remain closed on their own.
        • Also, the combination of carpeting and other flooring at South Campus is in need of removal and replacement.
    • Proposition MVS improves safety at the Elementary and Middle School campuses by removing deteriorating, unused buildings.
        • One of these structures is the old Rock Building on the Middle School campus.
        • The cost to repair the Rock Building is estimated to be $2 million.
        • This would stabilize the building but would be no guarantee to save it for use.
        • The cost to build a new facility of similar size is cheaper than renovation. When this occurs, the recommendation is to demolish.



START

      • Proposition MVS helps the district prepare students for the best possible start by providing a new Early Childhood Center on the Elementary campus to house our rapidly expanding pre-K program.
          • This is a modification of last year's plan which was to renovate South Campus into an Early Childhood Center.
            • We received feedback that the preference of the community and staff was to remain closer to the Elementary Campus.
            • This feedback, in addition to the higher than expected cost to renovate South Campus for this use, led to the decision to construct a new facility.
          • Our Early Childhood Program has grown significantly in the past four years.
            • We now serve over 80 pre-K students (3 & 4 year olds).
            • The space we utilize in the Elementary was not intended for these age groups and has become inadequate as the number of students involved has grown.
          • Research shows that the very best thing school districts can do to prepare students for long-term success is provide access to preschool.
          • Proposition MVS would allow the continuation of our Early Childhood Program and permit expansion in the coming years.
      • Proposition MVS provides expansion and renovation to our current Vocational Agriculture Center to help provide additional space and resources for this growing program which prepares students to start careers or continue their post-graduate education.
          • The MVHS Agriculture Program currently includes roughly 42% of the students enrolled at the high school (well over 200 students).
          • The current 8000 square foot building is no longer large enough to offer all the programs in which students are interested. Some students have been unable to enroll in the Agriculture classes they requested due to size constraints.
          • An expansion and renovation of the Vocational Agriculture Center would provide the adequate space and resources to continue to grow this important program for our students.


STRATEGY

  • Proposition MVS helps Mount Vernon Schools enact a strategic master plan to meet facility needs in both the short and long term.
    • By addressing the needs of two growing programs in this election, the District could focus on construction of a Performing Arts Center on the High School campus in 2025.
    • If we continue to experience the same rate of growth in our Assessed Valuation, we expect to have the flexibility to have a "no-tax increase" bond issue to:
      • Build a Performing Arts Center
      • Roll back a portion of the increase passed this year
      • Convert some of the increase from this year into a Capital Project Levy to help the District better maintain our facilities.



STUDENTS

Proposition MVS is an issue designed around meeting the needs of our students and providing safe, secure facilities in which they can pursue their futures.


WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE SOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUS?

  • South Middle School will receive the following improvements designed to stabilize the future of the building:
    • New Roof
    • HVAC Leaks Sealed
    • Fire Alarm Installation
    • Rewiring to Meet Electrical Code
    • Replacement of Carpet
    • Installation of a Secure Entryway
  • South Middle School will be used primarily as a District Office in the East Hallway which will include some very minor renovations.
  • Middle School Students will still be using some of the classroom space in the West Hallway as well as the Gym and Weight Room.

HOW ARE SCHOOLS FUNDED?

  • Schools receive revenue from three main sources: Federal, State, and Local.
  • Local funds are generated exclusively through property taxes.
  • School Districts are not permitted to levy sales taxes (or any other type of tax) to generate funds for operations or building projects.
  • For the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year, the Revenues received by the District break down as follows:
    • 45.41% State Revenue
    • 41.63% Local Revenue
    • 9.63% Federal Revenue
    • 2.94% County Revenue
    • 0.39% Tuition from other Districts

WHAT REGULATIONS ARE IN PLACE TO GOVERN SCHOOL DISTRICT EXPENDITURES?

  • School District revenue is placed in one of four funds which is dependent on the revenue source.
    • Each fund has a specific purpose that limits the types of expenditures for which the District can use them.
  • The Mount Vernon School District spends 64.88% of all revenue on salaries and benefits for professional and support staff (Funds 1 & 2).
  • The District spends 36.61% of revenue on operating expenses (Fund 1).
  • Only 6.36% of District Revenue is available for Debt Service and Capital Projects (Funds 3 & 4).


WHAT IS A BOND ISSUE?

  • A Bond Issue is an authorization for a school district to go into debt and to establish a tax rate to pay off the debt over time.
  • Bond issues require voter approval. A bond issue passes with 57.14% (4/7) of voter approval.
  • The District obtains bids and sells bonds to the purchaser at the lowest interest cost.
  • The District pays back the debt over a period of years.


FOR WHAT PURPOSES CAN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT USE FUNDS GENERATED BY A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL BOND ELECTION?

  • Money from Bond Issues can only be used for capital projects.
  • Bond money cannot be used for operating expenses.


WHAT IS THE CURRENT TAX LEVY FOR PATRONS OF THE MOUNT VERNON R-V SCHOOL DISTRICT?

  • Mount Vernon R-V has a levy of $3.32. This has been the tax levy for Mount Vernon R-V since 1999.
    • $2.75 is the the operating levy. This is the lowest allowable operating levy in Missouri by statute.
    • $0.57 is the debt service levy. This is the portion of our levy used to pay back debt borrowed for capital projects through bond issues.
    • Our current levy ranks as 44th out of 45 area school districts in southwest Missouri.
      • Local School District Levies (Operating/Debt Service & Capital Projects = Total Levy)
        • Miller R-II: $3.39 / $0.66 = $4.05
        • Verona R-VII: $2.94 / $1.00 = $3.94
        • Aurora R-VIII: $2.75 / $1.05 = $3.80
        • Marionville R-IX: $2.75 / $0.98 = $3.73
        • Monett R-I: $2.91 / $0.56 / $0.20 = $3.67
        • Pierce City R-VI: $2.75 / $0.79 = $3.54
        • Mount Vernon R-V: $2.75 / $0.57 = $3.32
          • Mount Vernon R-V (if bond issue passes): $2.75 / $0.92 = $3.67


WHAT REQUEST IS MADE IN PROPOSITION MVS?

    • The District will be asking for a $0.35 adjustment to the Debt Service Levy.
    • This is the same increase requested in the Bond Issue considered in the Spring of 2019.
    • This increase would allow the District to generate $11.5 million to address the issues mentioned below.
      • More revenue is generated this year as compared to last year due to an additional year of payments made in 2019.
      • This additional revenue allows us to pursue additional projects.
    • Our overall levy would move from $3.32 to $3.67 which would remain well below average compared to other area districts in southwest Missouri.


WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE TAX INCREASE IF PROPOSITION MVS IS APPROVED BY VOTERS?

  • The tax increases/impacts are identical to those advertised last year.
    • Residential Property - Assessed Value of $100,000 - $59.88 increase for the year
    • Personal Property - Assessed Value of $20,000 - $23.28 increase for the year
    • Commercial Property - Assessed Value of $500,000 - $560.04 increase for the year
    • Agricultural Property - 160 Acres - Ranges from $10.60 to $27.24 increase for the year (dependent on soil use)


If you have questions or comments about the scope or impact of this project, please contact Superintendent, Mr. Scott Cook

cookscott@mtvernon.k12.mo.us

(417) 466 - 7573