KSHB 41 reporter Abby Dodge covers consumer issues about personal budgeting and everyday spending. You can email her a story idea.
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Decisions about property tax assessments reach far beyond homeowners.
Libraries, school districts and fire departments also could see a funding decrease.
Jackson County officials estimated an initial loss of revenue could total more than $115 million. The potential loss is a result of the Missouri State Tax Commission ordering a rollback on some property tax assessments.
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“It was a complete shock and surprise,” said Oak Grove Superintendent Mindy Hampton. “Lots of high levels of concern right now.”
When I asked Hampton what the plan is for school districts, she paused for a moment.
“There is no plan from a school district standpoint,” she said. “The way our budgets work, we’ve already set our budgets for next year.”
Oak Grove could lose out on more than $1 million, according to the county’s estimates.
Hampton said 75% of the district’s budget is staffing. Less money could mean fewer teachers.
“They are the single most important thing we put in front of our students,” she said.
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Like Oak Grove, the Independence School District dedicated last year’s revenue increase to staff pay. The Independence School District stands to lose more than $8.8 million if the state ruling stands.
“This is certainly an issue that we didn’t cause as a school district, nor did any of the other municipalities,” said ISD Superintendent Dale Herl. “This really has to play its way out at the legislative level.”
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I asked Herl if there’s a lawsuit looming among Jackson County school districts.
“There is going to be a lot of looking at every option for all of those involved,” he said.
School superintendents from across Jackson County met Friday over Zoom. They plan to stick together through a battle that will likely end up in court.