Prop S

Proposition S is a 48-cent tax rate increase that would fund safety and security improvements for students and staff, increase staffing to manage documentation requests related to the federal Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), address other essential staffing needs, and support competitive pay for non-administrative employees.

A tax levy is the primary way local communities fund their public schools. It provides dedicated revenue to support essential school operations, including safe and secure learning environments, staffing, student programs, and day-to-day services. Tax levy funds help ensure schools have the resources needed to meet student needs and maintain strong, stable schools for the community.

• Ferguson-Florissant has already cut $5.1 million from its operating budget over the last year. This included eliminating administrative staff.
• It has been 11 years since voters approved an increase in the operating levy.
• Safety, security, and technology upgrades are needed across the district. This includes critical technology upgrades to protect students, staff, and district systems, such as enhanced cybersecurity.
• Enhancing the salary schedule to help Ferguson-Florissant remain competitive and attract and retain high-quality staff.

Ferguson-Florissant has made investments in school safety and security, and maintaining those systems requires ongoing updates and improvements.

• Security camera updates: The district now has more than 1,600 security cameras monitoring both the interior and exterior of school buildings. Maintaining this system requires major technology infrastructure, including data storage for recorded footage and network power to support each camera. Camera footage has also been helpful in providing information to local law enforcement when needed. Updates, including new software, firmware, and server upgrades to keep systems reliable and up to date.
• Cybersecurity and network protection: District firewalls and security systems help prevent unauthorized access to our networks and protect sensitive student and staff data.
• Secure entrance gates: The district is continuing upgrades to entrance security and visitor access at key buildings, including McCluer, McCluer North, and STEAM High.
• Centegix safety system: Ongoing safety technology, including annual subscriptions and equipment costs for panic buttons, visitor management tools, and required equipment upgrades.
• Technology infrastructure upgrades: Servers, software, and system updates are critical to supporting safety technology across all schools.
• Bus safety technology upgrades and transportation safety tools: GPS tracking, hardware upgrades, and scanners.

This relates to the District’s responsibilities connected to the federal Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). Because all of our schools fall within the zip codes included in the compensation eligibility area, we have received a large number of documentation requests from former students, current and former employees, and community members who need records to support their claims.

Since January 2026 alone, the District has received 433 documentation requests, and nearly 1,000 requests overall since the RECA announcement. Staff are working to process these requests in addition to their full-time responsibilities, but the volume has become overwhelming.

Many residents may not realize they could be eligible or may feel unsure about the process, and we believe it is important to help people access the records they need in a timely manner. Additional staffing would help the District respond more efficiently while continuing to support students and school operations.

Our community has experienced longstanding impacts tied to the Manhattan Project, and we do not want residents or employees to be further burdened or delayed in accessing important information.

Ferguson-Florissant School District relies on dedicated support staff and certified staff to serve students every day, but many of our starting pay positions remain among the lowest compared to surrounding school districts. Like districts across the region, we are facing increased challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified employees. Competitive pay is critical to attracting and maintaining stable staffing in our schools, and reducing turnover that can disrupt student learning.

Prop S would provide funding to help the District offer more competitive compensation for non-administrative staff, so that we can continue to support students with the people and services they need.

• Ferguson-Florissant’s overall tax levy is divided into two parts. A portion called the operating levy pays for the district’s day-to-day needs via the operating budget. This funds items such as salaries, transportation, utilities, and building maintenance repairs (that are not paid for with bond issue funds).
• Missouri law prevents a school district from using debt service levy funds to pay for things in the operating budget.

Even if you don’t have children in the district, strong schools benefit everyone. Great schools help keep our community strong, support local property values, attract families and businesses, and prepare the next generation of workers and leaders. Investing in Ferguson-Florissant is an investment in the future of our community, and something we can all take pride in.

Below is the language on the April 7 ballot. 

Shall the Ferguson-Florissant School District increase its operating tax levy by $0.48 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation for the purposes of enhancing safety and security for students and staff; increasing staff to respond to obligations of the District related to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA); addressing other essential staffing needs; and providing funds to support increased salaries for non-administrative staff, including bus drivers, classroom aides, custodial staff, and facilities and maintenance personnel? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted operating levy of the school district per $100 of assessed valuation is estimated to be $3.89 for residential real property, $5.37 for commercial real property, $3.90 for agricultural real property, and $5.72 for personal property.

Prop S is an operating tax rate increase of 48 cents for each $100 of assessed home value. Use the chart below to determine how Prop S would impact you based on the appraised value of your home. (Note: The figures in the chart below are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.)

If this proposition is approved, the adjusted operating levy of the school district per $100 of assessed valuation is estimated to be $3.89 for residential real property, $5.37 for commercial real property, $3.90 for agricultural real property, and $5.72 for personal property.

No. A tax levy helps pay for a school district’s day-to-day needs, including school safety and security, staffing and support positions, competitive pay for non-administrative staff, and basic operations. Funds generated from bond issues can only be used for capital expenses, such as repairs and renovations. A tax levy cannot be used for major construction updates, large building renovtations or new buildings. Those items are funded through bond issues. The school district will provide regular updates to the Board of Education in regards to progress and the use of Prop S funds.

Over the past year, Ferguson-Florissant School District has taken a hard, responsible look at its budget and made some deliberate decisions to live within its means. The District reduced staffing, reorganized departments, and closely reviewed every vacant position created through resignations or retirements to determine whether it truly needed to be filled or if the work could be absorbed in another way.

These steps were not short-term fixes. They reflect a long-term commitment to financial discipline. Any new funding would be used with that same level of scrutiny, guided by sound oversight, continued regular audits, and public financial reporting. The goal is simple: use resources carefully, transparently, and in ways that directly support students, staff, and safe, well-run schools.

No. Under Missouri law, including Article X of the Missouri Constitution, tax revenues approved by voters must be used strictly for the purposes stated in the ballot language. Funds generated through Proposition S are legally restricted to the specific uses outlined in the measure approved by voters. They cannot be diverted to unrelated expenses such as lawsuits, legal claims, or settlements.

District spending is reviewed annually through state audits and financial reporting requirements to confirm that funds are used according to the law.

Acting now allows the District to address urgent safety, security, and staffing needs while maintaining stable, high-quality learning environments for students. Costs to operate schools have increased, and additional staff and updated safety measures are needed to meet today’s expectations and responsibilities. This tax levy is a proactive step to protect students and staff, strengthen school operations, and makes sure our schools remain safe, supportive, and prepared for the future.

The last time Ferguson-Florissant School District went to the voters to ask for an operating tax rate increase was in 2014. The tax increase was approved for 50 cents. Before that, the last time the district approved a tax increase was 1992. 

To pass, Pros S needs a simple majority yes vote of more than 50 percent.

The election will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Absentee voting opens at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24.

You can cast an absentee ballot in person or via mail through the St. Louis County Board of Elections. If you live in St. Louis County, visit their website or call 314-615-1800 for details.