What is Proposition Lewis?
Proposition Lewis is the next phase of our carefully planned Long Range Facilities Plan that will provide a new Lewis Elementary for our community, our staff, and most importantly our students. Proposition Lewis is a NO TAX RATE INCREASE Levy Transfer on the April 4th ballot that, if approved by voters, will allow the district to transfer .70 from our debt services fund into our operating fund. This transfer will provide the operating funds needed to build a New Lewis Elementary, at no additional cost to our tax payers.
Why now?
Lewis Elementary is in dire need of facility, utility, and equipment upgrades and replacements. The district has done a good job of fiscal management and planning in order to prepare for this next step. Building schools will only continue to be more expensive in the future, so we believe the time is now.
What is the Ballot Levy Wording?
Shall the Board of Education of Excelsior Springs School District #40 be authorized to increase the operating tax levy ceiling to $4.6089 per $100 of assessed valuation according to the 2023 assessment for operating expenses and funding capital projects of the District, including constructing a new elementary school?
If this question is approved, the operating tax levy of the District is estimated to increase by $0.70 per $100 of assessed valuation, and the District expects to make a corresponding reduction to its debt service tax levy in the same amount resulting in the estimated overall tax levy of the District to remain unchanged.