SIKESTON -- Sikeston R-6 taxpayers who want to know how much the proposed $32.3 million bond issue will cost them are encouraged to pull out their most recent county property tax statements.
Look on the portion that has only the "Sikeston R-6 School District" line item, said financial consultant Bart Grant of Sikeston. Take that figure and multiply it by 0.203, and that will give the increase to their taxes should voters approve the general obligation bond proposal during the April 8 election, he said.
"That's the easiest way to see what the true cost is going to be," Grant said.
Voters in the Sikeston R-6 School District will decide the fate of a $32.3 million bond issue which includes the new construction of a First and Second Grade Center at the existing site of Southeast Elementary, Third and Fourth Grade Center at the existing site of Lee Hunter Elementary, C Building on the high school campus and a multipurpose building addition to the Kindergarten Center. Each building will also include safe rooms that can withstand an EF5 tornado.
Currently, residents pay $3.84 in the district's bond portion of their county personal property and real estate taxes. The district is looking for a 78-cent increase to fund the $32.3 million bond.
Of the $3.84 school tax levy patrons are currently paying, 21 cents of it is for the debt service fund the district already has and uses to fund the Math and Science Center. The other portion -- $3.63 -- is the operating levy fund. The debt service fund must be used for capital improvements.
"So 21 cents is what you're paying now and if the issue passes, it would go up 78 cents to 99 cents for the debt service levy," Grant said, adding 78 cents on $3.84 is where the 20.3 percent comes from.
Grant, who is also a member of the Sikeston R-6 bond issue steering committee, along with Sikeston R-6 Board of Education President Amy Blanton took time recently to discuss some of the frequently asked questions regarding the cost of the bond issue proposal.
"Nobody will tell you the kids don't need new schools or need upgraded," Grant said. "Everyone is pretty much in agreement on that if they care about kids. The main hurdle is cost and 'Can I afford it?'"
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