Proposition O

Shall the Board of Education of the School District of the City of Ladue, St. Louis County, Missouri borrow money in the amount of thirty two million dollars ($32,000,000) for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, renovating, expanding, improving, furnishing, demolishing and equipping school sites, buildings and related facilities for school purposes, including the acquisition of real property and the construction of an early childhood center thereon, and issue general obligation bonds for the payment thereof? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the school district is estimated to increase $0.12 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation from $0.23 to $0.35 per one hundred dollars assessed valuation of real and personal property.

 

An Introduction to Prop O


Aerial rendering of the 30+ acre site on Ladue Road as it will be developed with the passing of Proposition O on April 6

Following years of discussion and research, the Ladue School District Board of Education decided at its December 14, 2009 meeting to put a bond referendum on the April 6, 2010 ballot.  Entitled “Prop O,” the referendum requests funding to purchase 30+ acres of property on 10900 Ladue Road currently owned by Westminster Christian Academy and to rebuild the district’s early childhood center.
(Read our ballot language.)

The primary reasons for this decision are:

  • Consistent increasing enrollment in our existing schools.  With 18% growth over the last six years, many buildings are reaching capacity.  The rare availability of 30 contiguous acres of land already built-out for education purposes provides the district with the opportunity to cost-effectively increase classroom and athletic field space to serve our growing student population.
  • The poor structural condition of the existing early childhood center.  A 2000 study of district facilities determined that the structural, electrical, plumbing and technology upgrades required to bring the building to current standards are so extensive that rebuilding would be more financially prudent than renovating.

A community survey conducted in October 2009 indicated that if appropriate land could be purchased at a reasonable price and could be put to immediate and practical use, district patrons would be supportive of the initiative.  In addition, the survey indicated that close to two-thirds of our patrons are supportive of a new early childhood center.

 

This Web site seeks to provide information and answers to your questions about Prop O.  Please note that links are provided above to find more information about the land purchase , the early childhood center, and the cost of Prop O to taxpayers.  There are also sections for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), general voting information, news and publications and events related to Prop O.