Tax levy increase for Centralia R-VI fails

A proposed $0.60 tax levy increase for the Centralia R-VI School District failed in Tuesday’s special election.

660 people voted in opposition to the tax while 592 voted in favor. The ballot issue marked the first raise in taxes proposed by the district in over 10 years.

The district said the purpose of the levy would have been to provide “curriculum tools, classroom instructional improvements through increased line item budgets, sustainable technology resources, high quality educators, competitive salaries, employee health care costs and maintaining facilities.”

Additionally, the district said the money would have been used to offset reduce state and federal funding.

“Our district has reached a point where additional revenues will be needed to continue to provide the high level education that Centralia is known for,” Board President Justin Romine said in a statement in May.

Centralia remains the lowest taxed school in Boone County.