Watch a full replay of the Sept. 10, 2024 ESSD BOE meeting on the Excelsior Citizen YouTube Channel.
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. (Sept. 10, 2024)—The Excelsior Springs School District is facing a significant financial expense due to mold remediation efforts while simultaneously exploring the possibility of a tax increase to boost staff salaries.
At the Tuesday board of education meeting, it was revealed that the district spent $709,522.19 for mold remediation at the Early Childhood Center and Lewis Elementary learning cottages to begin the school year. These emergency expenditures were necessary to ensure a safe environment for students and staff, but they also come at a time when the district is already grappling with budget concerns. In the meeting, it was stated that despite the cleanup, at least one of the cottages was still not being used due to the presence of mold.
Complicating matters, the school district is also currently conducting a survey of citizens to gauge support for a potential tax increase. The funds raised would be earmarked for staff salary increases, which the district says are critical for retaining and attracting qualified educators. The tax increase would help offset current financial strains as the district seeks to balance its budget and invest in personnel.
The district was able to utilize its reserves to cover the emergency remediation efforts. But, the timing of the mold cleanup and the survey presents a challenge for district leaders. As they do what is needed to maintain school facilities and address health concerns, district leadership is also considering how best to support its workforce—an issue that has long-term implications for educational quality in Excelsior Springs.
In addition to these discussions, the board reviewed routine expenditure reports, including appropriations totaling $1.69 million for the month of July. However, the focus remains on the district’s immediate needs, particularly the costly mold remediation efforts and surveys gauging support for a potential tax increase that may be required to meet the district’s staffing and operational demands.
You can watch a full replay of the Sept. 10 meeting above and review the attached summary provided by the school district below.
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