FHSD Proposition Howell Information

About Francis Howell FHSD is one of the largest employers in St. Charles County, covering over 150 square miles with more than 2,200 employees serving over 18,000 students in 23 buildings.

Background and Information

Revenue Background >$30 million not collected 6 years of voluntary rollbacks (2004 – 2010) Loss of approximately $2 million every reassessment cycle 6 years of declining assessed values (2009 – 2015) State Formula not fully funded since 2009 State Aid No longer generates over $4 million annually Loss of Special Purpose Levy in 2014

Expenditure Background Reductions Decreased 190 staff positions since 2008 Made $8.2 million in reductions last fiscal year Made an additional $4 million in cuts this year Additions Added three days to teacher contract for professional development Gave salary increases commensurate with increased contract days

Reduction Examples Supports for struggling learners including tutoring programs, interventionists, and online practice materials Staff including classroom teachers, counselors, special education staff, and alternative high school staffing Aging technology devices not replaced Aging textbooks and materials not replaced Sports and extra-curricular offerings, random drug testing program, AP course offerings, parent involvement budgets, and new teacher supports

Why? In 2015, a random phone survey of hundreds of District patrons indicated that 99% felt that it was “very important” or “somewhat important” that FHSD continue to be the highest achieving school district in St. Charles County.

Why? According to research by the Wall Street Journal, buyers are willing to pay more for a property if it’s in a good school district. That’s because even if they do not have children, buyers know a good school district helps a home remain attractive.

What? November 8 ballot 60 cent operating levy Simple majority required to pass 2004 last approved tax levy increase

Costs? For the owners of a $200,000 home, the cost of Prop Howell would be approximately $19 per month.

What’s Different than August 2015? Amount: 60 Cents Timing: November Large Voter Turnout Communication: Increased methods to inform community Cuts: $8 Million in 2015-2016 Cuts: $4 Million in 2016-2017 Salary Freeze: 2016-2017

The Future Without Prop Howell Cuts will remain in place Additional cuts will be necessary to balance the budget and account for typical increases in expenditures (utilities, fees, liability insurance, increasing required state initiatives such as dyslexia testing, anti-bullying training, CPR, etc.) Future cuts will have direct impact on classrooms; no longer an option to cut “away from students” Difficulty maintaining academic excellence will affect property values and community

The Future With Prop Howell: Funding Priorities Technology Restore cycle of device replacement Upgrade firewall to protect district data Update wireless speeds and reliability Staffing Restore some classroom teaching positions Restore teacher assistant positions to support struggling students Increase counselors for students in crisis Add staff to support English as Second Language students Continue focus on attracting and maintaining the most qualified staff

The Future With Prop Howell: Funding Priorities Curriculum Reinstate textbook replacement cycle Provide additional online/Advanced Placement courses Restore academic tutoring Maintenance and Capital Projects Update HVAC Replace school roofs Repair parking lots Increase security at building entrances Update security camera systems

Ballot Language “Shall the Board of Education of the Francis Howell School District be authorized to increase the operating tax levy for the purpose of providing funds to maintain high student academic performance; reduce class size; attract and retain high quality teachers; improve student and staff safety and security; increase technology for students and staff; improve and maintain District facilities; maintain transportation; and fund ongoing operating expenses by $0.60 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted operating levy of the school district is estimated to be $4.9472 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation.”

Upcoming Election Information November 8, 2016 Expecting 80-85% voter turnout Approximately 88,000 registered voters in our district Large ballot will include many candidates and issues, Prop Howell will be at or near the end of the ballot School will not be in session that day, nine different District buildings will be used as polling places

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