LINN —With less than a month remaining before voters return to the polls, members of the Linn R-2 Tax Levy Committee say their focus has shifted from simply promoting the proposal to answering questions and helping residents understand why district officials believe additional operating revenue is necessary.

The committee was formed following the April defeat of a previous operating levy proposal in an effort to improve public understanding of the district’s finances.

The first of two educational forums was held last Wednesday, July 1, at the Osage County Community Center, allowing members of the public to ask questions of committee members and Superintendent Bob James.

The proposed ballot measure would increase Linn R-2’s operating levy by 50 cents, from $2.75 to $3.25 per $100 of assessed valuation. James estimated the increase would generate approximately $489,000 annually to help meet Missouri’s new minimum teacher salary requirements, provide corresponding increases for support staff, and cover other operating expenses directly associated with the salary increases. Even with additional revenue, however, district projections indicate budget pressures would remain because of rising personnel costs and anticipated reductions in state funding.

One of the most practical questions from the public on Wednesday was, “How much will this cost the average property owner in Osage County?”

James explained that the average home in the county is assessed at just above $250,000. Based on how taxes are formulated, James said the average homeowner would see an increase of $19.79 per month. A full chart shows the increase for personal, commercial, and four categories of agricultural property tax increases if the measure is approved.

STAFF AND SALARY CONCERNS

Even with the removal of the School Resource Officer (SRO) position from the ballot, the district is still determining the ramifications of proceeding without a levy increase.

“Anything that we don’t spend on an SRO in the coming years is just going to be put toward our fund balance so that we can weather the teacher base salary increases over the next three to five years,” James said.

He emphasized at the forum that the district’s financial concerns extend well beyond a single position. “If we were going to stay in the exact same financial position that we have been in the last five years, then we need about a dollar more to do that,” James explained. “What we’re really trying to do with the 50-cent levy is keep us in a relatively healthy position as far as finances go; however, this levy increase will only slow the gradual decline.”

During an interview ahead of the forum, committee members — State Tech President and former R-2 Board President Dr. Shawn Strong, former R-2 Board members Pat Muenks and Carol Branson, and committee Treasurer Paul Brandt — noted that Senate Bill 727 requires Missouri school districts to establish a minimum certified teacher salary of $40,000. Linn’s current base salary is $37,000.

Many conversations begin with surprise when residents compare Linn’s operating levy to surrounding districts, according to committee members.

“I think most people are just simply astonished when you see the side-to-side comparison of operating levy with the other districts in our neighboring counties, and they look at where Linn R-2 stands,” Dr. Strong noted.

But the levy is tied to assessed value, and not all school districts are equal — even at the same rate.

For example, South Callaway also has the minimum levy of $2.75, but because of the Callaway Nuclear Plant, the district’s revenue is about four times what Linn R-2 generates. Linn received $2,311,884 while South Callaway received $10,978,633 for about the same-sized district.

Despite the minimum levy, Linn R-2 has achieved quite a bit in the last several years. According to information on the district’s website, Linn R-2’s base salary was $29,000; today, the base is $37,000, representing a 28% increase in wages. A move to $40,000 represents a 38% increase in labor costs in the last decade.

Compared to eight years ago, Linn R-2’s annual salary costs have increased by approximately $919,708.

LEVY FUNCTIONS

At the forum, Branson said she and other committee members continue to speak with residents who believe the district is seeking additional taxes for construction projects. She stressed that the previous voter approved bond issue in 2024 and the proposed operating levy on the August ballot serve two entirely different functions.

James explained that bond proceeds are legally restricted to construction, renovations, and major capital improvements, while operating levy dollars pay for day-to-day expenses, including teacher and staff salaries, classroom supplies, utilities, transportation, and other operational costs.

During the committee interview, members said they are trying to address the confusion.

“There are people that don’t understand the difference,” Muenks said. “That’s one of the things we need to emphasize — that it was the bond issue that was passed previously.”

Muenks acknowledged that the confusion is understandable because construction progress is visible, while operating expenses are less tangible. “People have demonstrated a willingness to put their money into a physical object, brick and mortar,” he added.

Committee members also noted that the district has operated efficiently for years while remaining at the state minimum.

“How is it that Linn R-2 has been able to finance academics for so long with a levy that is unchanged?” Dr. Strong asked. “My response to it, having served on the board and having a background in education, is the fact that, in many regards, the district has run efficiently.”

He added that the district has not always had all the resources it needed, but has “managed” through careful budgeting and a committed staff. “It’s not that the district has really ever flourished, or had all the resources that it desires to have,” said Dr. Strong. “But they’ve managed, and we’ve had dedicated faculty and staff who have weathered the ebbs and flows.”

Those often come from state funding. “If you rely on the state, you’re going to be going through these cyclic periods where the state pulls back,” said Dr. Strong. “The district is left taking measures that usually lead to a reduction in faculty. You do that, and the end result is that your curriculum becomes more limited, and class sizes increase.”

IF THE MEASURE IS APPROVED …

Even if voters approve the measure, James anticipates continued losses in fund balances over the next several years. “This year we lost over $150,000,” he said. “Next year, I anticipate about a quarter of a million, about $400,000 the year after that, and in those three years we’ll lose about $800,000.”

Committee members said during the June 28 interview that one of their biggest concerns is maintaining the district’s ability to recruit and retain qualified teachers.

Discussion focused on the effect salary compression has created under the state’s temporary grant program, which currently supplements beginning teacher salaries to meet the $40,000 minimum.

Members said experienced teachers can find themselves earning only slightly more than new hires, while support staff salaries, which are tied to the teacher salary schedule, also remain less competitive than neighboring employers.

They acknowledged that professionals in any field will eventually have to look at the bottom line. “Everyone has to do what’s best for their family,” said James. “If teachers can get a job down the road with a higher salary, they at least have to consider it.”

Dr. Strong noted during the interview that surrounding districts are facing the same problems and taking steps to increase revenues through their own levy proposals. That means if other districts increase their revenue and Linn doesn’t, it could become a matter of moving while options are good.

“A teacher in Linn must work seven years before receiving a pay raise,” Dr. Strong noted during the interview.

According to the district’s FAQ, any teacher with less than seven years of experience is paid below $40,000 and uses the grant to make up the difference.

Committee members stressed the importance of teachers and their role. “We want to think of our teachers as professionals,” said Branson. “How many other professionals do you see going and getting part-time jobs on the weekends just to support their families, unless they choose to?”

Recruitment was another recurring concern. “Really, an organization, the strength of your organization is the collective talents of its people,” Dr. Strong said. “When you deny the opportunity for your organization to recruit talent, it puts you in a downward spiral that really leads to an organization that simply can’t perform. It may survive, but it can’t perform.”

While many current teachers remain because of community ties and the district’s culture, committee members expressed concern that relying on goodwill alone is not a sustainable staffing strategy.

“The support of the teachers is the most direct way to support our kids,” Branson said.

Questions raised by residents have extended beyond salaries.

Gwen Sullentrup asked at the forum about financial transparency, noting one question she’s heard in the community involves how the funds are spent.

James explained that each fund has a specific function, and everything is monitored. “If we spent money on something we weren’t supposed to, we’re open to fines from the Missouri Ethics Commission,” he said, adding that anyone is welcome to see the books or attend a meeting and request financial information.

CLEARING UP CONFUSION

Among the most common misconceptions, members noted, is the belief that recent construction projects or football improvements are responsible for the district’s current request. They noted that athletic facility improvements have been funded largely through private booster donations, while construction projects were financed through the voter-approved bond issue rather than operating dollars.

District FAQ information states football improvements, including the press box, game field and practice field, have been funded primarily through booster support. According to the FAQ, football boosters have contributed approximately $900,000 in funds and in-kind gifts, and football’s annual operating budget remains lower than what Linn R-2 spends on basketball.

PROGRAM COSTS, CURRENT BUDGET CUTS

Committee members said many have asked about athletic spending, construction projects, district reserves, future tax requests, and potential budget reductions should the levy fail. Rather than speculating on future board decisions, members said their role has been to direct residents to publicly available financial information and encourage them to examine the data themselves at linnwildcats.com.

“I truly encourage anyone who visits with me to go to the site, look at the data, and follow the links,” said Dr. Strong, who developed the committee’s website. “Everyone processes information differently. Some people are very numbers-oriented, and they want to dig in deep.”

At the end of the day, they said the goal is to provide factual information, not pressure voters.

“I truly believe the committee is just wanting to present factual information, have the discussion, and allow people to see that it is necessary,” said Brandt.

James told those gathered at Wednesday’s forum that the school has already initiated cuts. He said the projections already reflect significant spending reductions, including eliminating two teaching positions through attrition, reducing a paraprofessional and an aide position, cutting instructional supply budgets by 10%, reducing activity budgets by 15%, limiting capital projects, and delaying curriculum purchases.

“We’re just trying to focus most of our efforts on remaining financially stable and weathering these next two to three years,” James said.

IF THE MEASURE DOES NOT PASS …

James noted that if the levy is not approved by voters, the school will have no choice but to consider cuts in several areas:

— Minimize staffing: ~80% of the budget is salaries and benefits; supply budgets will have little to no impact on the revenues necessary to address salaries. Grades K-3 represent the only place the school might be able to cut, but it would be detrimental to student learning and teacher staffing. James said at the forum that if teachers are lost, class sizes will automatically increase by 7-8 students.

It’s also becoming increasingly difficult to find applicants for several positions as college students are opting for other career fields. In one example, he said there had been many applicants, but in a recent calendar year, there was only one teacher gaining certification within high school physics in the entire state.

— Reduce programming- extracurricular; James noted that athletic programs constitute approximately $235,000, an amount barely necessary to accommodate the minimum increase for teachers alone. Band and Choir would yield another $15,000-20,000 in cuts, if it came to that.

— Linn R-2 would have to adjust ancillary benefit contributions. The district’s minimum healthcare plan at 9.5% would yield approximately $110,000 and move Linn halfway to meeting the minimum teacher requirements.

— Halt all facility improvements and move to a repair protocol only.

— Eliminate some custodial/event services.

Several members described the proposed levy as vital but not necessarily a long-term cure.

“It’s not the permanent fix for the financial condition of the school district,” Dr. Strong said. “People need to understand that there’s a matter of time, even if this does pass.”

Muenks added that a levy increase is an immediate step. “The 50 cents is really the best we can hope for to sustain the present,” he said.

BURNING THROUGH RESERVES

James explained the current fund reserve is about 30%. “If we do not raise our levy, we will be forced to consider making cuts or depleting our reserves,” he said. “It will take 2.5 years to reduce our reserves to the state adequacy level of 20%. It would take about four years after to completely deplete them.”

Committee members discussed these potential losses during the June 28 interview. “I don’t think people believe that when you say cuts, it means everything,” Branson said, adding that during a previous period of financial difficulty, no one was safe. “We cut (former music director) Linda Krueger, for gosh sake. One of the most well-respected people that probably ever taught in the school district, and she was gone. It’s going to get really personal if it gets to that point.”

Committee members believe the situation is untenable in the long run.

“The current financial status of the district is on solid ground,” Dr. Strong said. “However, projecting into next school year and the years immediately following, there will be a shortfall.”

EDUCATION’S ROLE AND NEED FOR SUPPORT

The committee also discussed the broader role public schools play within the community.

Committee members also believe the levy discussion is tied to the future of the community, not just the school district. “Public education is a public good,” said Dr. Strong. “It’s no different than roads or parks. If you oppose the roads, you oppose the parks, then okay, you should vote no. But if you are in favor of the public good and what is good for society, then you should support strong public education.”

Muenks said the school is central to any small community.

“If you want to see the most direct impact your local dollars have on your community, it is with the school,” he said. “What it returns from the standpoint of how people view your community, attracting people to your community, the people who are employed within that district, what they add to your community, and for any small community, the school is the central piece.”

Several members described the school district as one of Linn’s most important public institutions, saying strong schools influence workforce recruitment, encourage young families to settle in the area, and contribute to the community’s long-term vitality.

Throughout the interview, committee members emphasized they hope voters base their decisions on factual information rather than rumors or social media commentary. “We’re trying to provide information and let people make informed decisions,” Brandt said.

The committee plans to continue outreach before the Aug. 4 election, including another open-house style meeting on Aug. 1, from 9-11 a.m., where residents can ask questions about the levy, school finances, teacher salaries and district operations.

Branson said she has seen signs of growing interest, including yard sign requests, online discussion, and questions from residents who did not feel informed before the April vote.

“I think the committee has successfully started discussion and interest in support,” she added.

Members encouraged everyone to register to vote, learn as much as possible about the issues, and vote on Aug. 4.

“We hope people understand how important this is, and vote to support our teachers, our kids, and our community,” said Branson.

For more information, visit linnwildcats.com, follow Linn R-2 on Facebook, or visit the school’s website at linn.k12.mo.us.