1. FHSD
Proposition Howell
Information

2. 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.

3. Background and Information

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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 $ per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation.”

17. 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

18. More Prop Howell Information