Proposed tax levy increase for North Callaway School District fails

A tax levy increase for the North Callaway R-1 School District failed in Tuesday’s special election. 577 people voted in opposition of the tax levy while 457 voted in favor.

If it had passed, the proposed tax levy was expected to generate an additional $685,000.

The district said the additional funds would be used to to better maintain facilities, to hire and retain qualified staff and to meet other operating needs. Officials said the funds are necessary because of decreased state funding for public schools.

“The North Callaway district has lost over $1.1 million in state revenue due to these withholdings. The district has tightened their belt by cutting positions and reducing spending while trying to minimize the negative impact on our students,” a post on the district’s web page states.

The last voter approved levy increase for the North Callaway School District was back in 2003 in the amount of $0.30.