On Tuesday, voters residing in Mexico Public School District 59 will be asked to consider what is frequently termed a "Proposition C waiver request." If approved, resultant revenue generated courtesy the waiver would be allocated toward the district's operating fund, including staffing and maintenance concerns.
Specifically, the issue's roots date to 1982 when state voters approved Proposition C, a one-cent sales tax dedicated to education funding. Under the Proposition C financing formula, each Missouri public school district receives a flat amount of per student revenue.

In the 2007-2008 school year, the average was approximately $845 per student. However, the original Proposition C statute similarly mandates that each school district reduce its corresponding property tax levy by an amount equal to one-half of the revenue received from the one-cent sales tax. Thus, for example, in Mexico in 2007, the district's operating levy was rolled back from $3.35 per $100 assessed valuation to $2.77 per $100 assessed valuation.

However, state legislators further amended Proposition C, allowing school districts the option to seek – via voter approval – permanent waiver of the rollback requirement. When approved, respective school boards then determine whether to waive all or a portion of the rollback amount when calculating the district's operating levy each fiscal year.

Since, waivers have been authorized by voters in approximately 90 percent of Missouri school districts. Mexico Public School District 59 – which made a similar, unsuccessful request in 2004 – is seeking waiver permission in Tuesday's election.

The bottom line calculation: if voters approve the waiver request, the effect is the same as an increase in the operating tax rate, with additional revenue determined to benefit the school district and its students. However, approval – requiring simple majority – similarly results in an upward property tax adjustment for district residents.

For a breakdown of related fiscal assessments, including actual cost to taxpayers, see sidebars. Meantime, The Ledger requested that each school board member provide his or her opinion regarding the waiver request, since each has been elected to serve as a steward for the school district and its patrons, responsible for assessing myriad district needs, while analyzing miscellaneous cost inputs. In alphabetical order, following is the verbatim response by each school board member:

Bev Borgeson
"On Tuesday, August 5th, we have the opportunity to vote yes to support the continued growth and development of academic progress in our community when we are asked to vote on the Proposition C waiver. As a school board member I represent tax payers as well as the school district and I take the responsibility of spending our money very seriously. Several months ago, after significant study, the board voted affirmatively to put this request on the ballot. As a board we recently approved a budget that offered only modest raises for our teaching staff and support staff. We carefully reviewed classroom sizes and programs. We looked at rising costs of transportation, health insurance, utilities and other factors that we can't control and found it necessary to deficit spend once again. As a board member and as a community member and tax payer, I am in support of the Prop C Waiver. Its approval is necessary as we strive to offer the best opportunities in education to the children in our community that we can. And, our children deserve the best we can give."

Travis Hitchcock
"A few months ago when I voted with the board to place the Proposition C item on the ballot I was anticipating that an attempt to balance our budget would occur simultaneously. I can only look into your eyes and ask for additional support when I feel we have done all we can to be the best stewards of your money. Our district will be in the third year of deficit spending, dipping into our reserve fund. Our district has not maintained current spending, but has increased spending, by the creation of a new maintenance administrator's position. Some have stated that our district has a strategic plan to save money. I believe, however, that only the execution of a temperate fiscal plan will make our school district stronger in the long run, and gain the trust from you we most desperately need. Actions speak louder than words. We are imperfect people and as such, will never manage your tax dollars flawlessly, however, it is a foundation of temperance that will be most beneficial, and I know we can do better. I cannot ask for a, "yes" vote now, but whatever your decision, I will be a voice for fiscal responsibility."

Ken Hoover
"I support the Prop C rollback because the funds that it would provide are needed to allow us to continue providing one of the best school districts in the State of Missouri. To be able to attract the best educators, and to provide outstanding programs, requires adequate funds. This rollback would assist in that endeavor and also help prevent the need to spend from reserves.
As I study the needs of the school district, 30 cents of the rollback should be the amount to be able to meet those needs and to maintain the staff and programs that the community has come to expect and sometimes have asked for.
For the last three years I have voted to spend into the district reserves to support ALL of the activities of the district. I have done so, with the hope that the economy would improve enough that the board would not have to continue spending reserves, thus deficit spending. Things have improved some, but not at the rate I had expected, thus requiring the board to ask patrons to consider a Prop C Waiver.
Mexico School District has provided for many years, excellent staff, numerous programs, and outstanding facilities. I would ask that the patrons of the district, that have requested and come to expect this level of commitment, join with us to approve the Prop C rollback. I will work hard to assure that every penny is spent wisely and that any increase in the levy would be kept to a minimum without harming the education to our children."

Beverly MacFarlane
"The Mexico Public Schools has enjoyed a long history of public support. This support has been and is recognized as vitally important for our young people to have the best education available.
Mexico has always been known not only as a "dressy little town" but also a town with a conscience. Citizens recognize support for education in Mexico is imperative for the community to grow, attract growing companies, and be a model of concern for local education throughout Missouri.
That which is important has a price and education is costly. Education was costly years ago when our parents saw to it we received more than an adequate education; our parents "bit the nail" for the extras provided by a costly education. A world class education that can take our children far is worth striving.
For the past three years, the reserves of the Mexico Public Schools have had to be tapped. These financial constraints can be remedied by passage of the Prop C Waiver. To continue providing quality educational services requires revenue. Providing a new teacher with the tools to succeed in the classroom and then lose that person to another district for a higher salary is costly to our system.
Mexico High School graduates have long been very proud of the Mexico Schools and the education received in those "hallowed" halls. Many of the graduates of Mexico High School have risen to magnificent heights, successful in their own careers. Doing the best for our boys and girls requires additional funding.
Your vote for the Prop C Waiver is a vote for our young people and our community. Your support on August 5 is appreciated by our students in the Mexico Public Schools and is essential for our educational system."

Bernie Phipps
"I strongly support the rollback of Proposition C. I believe to continue to offer the Mexico community with highly educated students, maintained facilities and hire and retain the best teachers and administrators, we need to pass this waiver.
When new businesses or individuals look at Mexico, they investigate the commerce first and the school system second. What courses do we offer? What is the dropout rate? What is the ACT scores of our students? Do we offer the courses to prepare our students for their future? Again, we need quality teachers and facilities to accomplish this feat.
The State of Missouri indicates that the adequate levy for adequate education is $3.43. Currently our levy is at $2.77 or 1 percent over the state's minimum requirement for education and 81 percent of adequate. We are one of the 9.7 percent of the schools in the state that hasn't passed a Proposition C waiver.
Our starting salaries for new teachers used to be competitive with Columbia, Jefferson City and Moberly. Now, we are trailing the smaller neighboring schools around us.
As the old saying goes "Our kids are our future". Our kids deserve a good education which will prepare them for the future."

Chuck Rentschler
"The education of our students is most important. I am proud of our Mexico Public School District. Now, we must look to the future and take our school district to the next level. Our students need to be given the same educational opportunities as others statewide. I would ask that you think of this investment in our student education as one that will improve each student in the Mexico Public Schools, and ensure a better future for our community. I plan to vote YES and I hope you will too."

Elwood Rice
"There is a balancing act when one is a school board member in taking care of the student's education, salaries for employees and fairness to the taxpayers. School districts can always use more money and I agreed to put the Prop C issue on the ballot with the following understanding. I said that I would stay neutral and allow the taxpayers to look at their own financial situations and decide if they could afford to pay increased taxes at this time.
There is never a good time to ask for more money. If it does not pass, I for one will understand due to the state of our economy and all the increased expenses over the past year. If it passes, we will be able to balance our budget. Whether you vote yes or no, I simply ask that you prayerfully consider your vote.
Regardless of how this turns out, the Mexico Public School District will survive and the children will continue to get the best education possible."

Editor’s note: All grammar and verbal emphasis (i.e., capitalization and bold lettering) corresponds to each board member's original submission.