Watch a full replay of the November 12, 2024, school board meeting on the Excelsior Citizen YouTube Channel.
The Excelsior Springs School Board is preparing for a big moment in April 2025, when the community will vote on a proposed tax levy increase to increase compensation for district staff. At its November 12 meeting, the board unanimously approved placing the measure on the ballot. If approved, the levy would raise the district’s operating tax rate by $0.70 per $100 of assessed valuation, bringing it to $4.8289.
The increase is expected to generate an estimated $2.19 million in annual revenue. For the average homeowner with a $200,000 property, the levy would mean an additional $22.17 per month. In discussion, board members agreed that this would be an investment in the district’s greatest asset—their staff. Board member Darren McKown said, “In the eight years I’ve been on the board, and the thing I’ve heard my whole life is teachers don’t make enough… Anybody in our community that I’ve talked to it’s constantly an issue about how our teachers’ salaries are a joke.”
Superintendent Jaret Tomlinson outlined several tax levy options during the meeting, presenting their potential impacts on the district’s financial health and its ability to support staff salaries. After deliberating on community affordability and budget priorities, the board determined the $0.70 increase was the most viable choice. The revenue generated will help address ongoing staffing challenges and ensure that district salaries remain competitive with neighboring districts.
Board members emphasized the importance of community involvement in this decision. “We’d be remiss to not acknowledge that everybody is spending more money on everything in their own individual homes right now,” said board member Traci White, “But, we have to take care of our kids, and if we don’t have good Educators to educate our students, people are going to leave our town.”
In addition to the tax levy, the April 8 General Municipal Election will include two seats on the school board, each with a three-year term. The seats are currently held by Kayln Goode and Tray Harkins, who also serves as board president. Candidate filing begins on December 10, 2024, and ends on December 31, 2024. Potential candidates can file their declarations at the district’s central office during regular business hours.
The tax levy and election announcement were just part of a packed agenda at the November 12 meeting. Dr. Sara Wickham, principal of Excelsior Springs High School, presented updates on academic performance, including a four-year comparison of achievement data. She highlighted several initiatives aimed at improving student outcomes, such as the LiveSchool Program, which supports Positive Behavioral Interventions, and a growing internship program that gives students hands-on career experience.
Two students participating in the internship program shared their experiences with the board. Candace Cali, a middle school art teacher intern, and James Keen, a technology intern at Hall of Waters, described the skills they’ve gained and how the program has helped them explore future career paths.
The board also approved the fiscal year 2024 audit, presented by Brad Steele, CPA, of Westbrook & Co., and discussed preparations for the opening of the new Lewis Elementary School. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for the state-of-the-art facility are planned for December 5.
You can read the district-provided summary of the meeting below or see the full agenda by visiting the District Board Docs site.
If you appreciate the value our local journalism brings to the community, please consider making a recurring contribution to the Excelsior Citizen!
