Frequently Asked Questions

This page is intended to provide information related to

Proposition PAC.

Proposition PAC is a No-Tax Increase bond issue placed on the ballot for the April General municipal election by the school board of

mount vernon r-v schools.

the april election will be held on Tuesday, April 8.

important dates to remember:

DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12

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

LAST DAY TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26

LINK TO REQUEST ABSENTEE BALLOT: ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST FORM

WINDOW FOR IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING: TUESDAY, MARCH 25 - MONDAY, APRIL 7

WHAT PROJECTS ARE INCLUDED IN PROPOSITION PAC?

Proposition PAC includes three projects:

- - - The primary aspect is to build a Performing Arts Center on the High School Campus.
      - This project was a part of the District's plan for the new High School proposed in 1994.
      - The Performing Arts Center was cut from the project due to higher-than-expected costs.
      - Other projects removed from the original plan (football/track complex, preschool campus, and an Agriculture Education Center) have since been completed.
      - The one missing piece to the MVHS campus is a Performing Arts Center.
      - The PAC would be used daily for classes and rehearsals.
      - The PAC would also be used to host:
        Fall Musical & Spring Play
        Show Choir Festival
        Choir Concerts
        Band Concerts
        Elementary Music Performances
        Activity Banquets
        Preschool Graduation
        Third Grade Christmas Program
        NHS Induction
        Senior Scholarship Night
        All Staff Meetings
    - A second aspect is the construction of a new Band classroom with adequate storage and rehearsal rooms.
      - Currently, our Band and Choir programs share a classroom at MVHS.
      - As both programs have grown, instructional space and storage space have become inadequate.
      - The new classroom will allow both programs the room they need to thrive.
    - The Band classroom will meet the specifications required to serve as a severe weather shelter large enough to accommodate the entire student and staff population of MVHS.
      - A goal of our CSIP plan is to provide severe weather shelters at each of our campuses.
      - This new facility would allow us to provide the shelter for our High School campus.

Construction is expected to begin in the Fall of 2025 and be completed by the Fall of 2026.

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 2024-2025 Fiscal Year, the Revenues received by the District break down as follows:
- 45.57% Local Revenue
- 42.17% State Revenue
- 8.68% Federal Revenue
- 3.44% County Revenue
- 0.14% 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 61.40% of all revenue on salaries and benefits for professional and support staff (Funds 1 & 2).
The District spends 27.33% of revenue on operating expenses (Fund 1).
7.90% of District Revenue is available for Debt Service and 3.37% of Revenue is allocated to Capital Projects (Funds 3 & 4).

WHAT IS A BOND ISSUE?

A Bond Issue is a way for school districts to borrow money to pay for major capital projects.
Bond issues require voter approval. A bond issue passes with 57.14% (4/7) of voter approval.
If approved, the District sells bonds to borrow money and must use the revenue generated to complete capital projects as outlined in ballot language.
The District repays the borrowed money, plus interest, over time.

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 as outlined in ballot language.
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 $3.67 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. This has been the tax levy for Mount Vernon R-V since 2020.
- $2.75 is the the operating levy. This is the lowest allowable operating levy in Missouri by statute.
- $0.92 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 among the lowest of area school districts in southwest Missouri.
  - Local School District Levies (Operating/Debt Service & Capital Projects = Total Levy)
    - Miller R-II: $3.33 / $0.61 = $3.94
    - Verona R-VII: $2.94 / $1.00 = $3.94
    - Monett R-I: $2.91 / $0.81 / $0.20 = $3.92
    - Aurora R-VIII: $2.75 / $1.05 = $3.80
    - Marionville R-IX: $2.75 / $0.98 = $3.73
    - Mount Vernon R-V: $2.75 / $0.92 = $3.67
    - Pierce City R-VI: $2.75 / $0.79 = $3.54

WHAT REQUEST IS MADE IN PROPOSITION PAC?

- The District will be asking for permission to issue to sell bonds to borrow money and use the revenue generated to complete capital projects.
- Due to bond refunding and paying down existing debt, the District can complete the proposed projects while maintaining the current debt service levy.
- Patrons would not see an increase in their overall tax levy.

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

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