The Maries County R-2 Board of Education on Aug. 31 approved the same $3.3359 tax rate for the 2021-22 school year, with allocations to the incidental fund and capital projects.

Superintendent Dr. Lenice Basham explained the tax rate, which would stay the same, but due to an increase in assessed valuations within the district it will bring in more funds.

“Our assessed valuation had a 7.33 percent increase over last year’s assessed valuation,” $138,677 new revenue from new construction and improvements and $38,964 from new revenue from reassessment. We had 1.64 percent of new revenue from reassessment.”

Basham recommended the board set the tax rate at $3.3359 with $3.2159 applied to the incidental fund and 12 cents applied to the capital projects fund.

“That 12 cents is going to help repair the back of the gym wall (at the high school) and tuck pointing at the middle school around the office,” Basham said later. “So that money is already going to facility improvements. That money that we put into capital projects has to go to capital projects, it can’t relocate back to the general fund. It has to stay in that fund and allows the district to prioritize facility improvements.”

Basham explained that approving the tax rate and having consistent tax revenue helps the district to set a budget.

“Knowing we have the same amount coming in tax-wise is important for maintaining financial stability,” Basham said. “Ultimately, what we want to do is make sure our students are successful and we have the financial capability to help them be successful.”

That goal begins with having a good facility and building on the programs the district has to offer.