Maplewood and Richmond Heights voters voted in favor of Proposition K, for a new Maplewood Richmond Heights preschool Tuesday with a comfortable margin.
The bond issue passed, 1,434 yes votes to 584 no votes; 71 percent of the vote.
The passage means a tax increase of $0.15 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation; from $1.20 to $1.35 per one hundred dollars assessed valuation of real and personal property. It equals approximately a $28.50 tax change per year for each $100,000 of valuation.
Superintendent of schools, Karen Hall said, “It gives us the opportunity to serve our community even better. I’m grateful the parents and other stakeholders in our community believe that taking care of our youngest students is a huge benefit for everyone.”
“Buckle up, get ready, because we are getting stronger,” she told the cheering crowd at The Wood after the win.
“I really want to thank all the volunteers because they never lost focus what was important, which is, this is what’s right for kids,” MRH School Board president, Maria Langston said.
In the best-two-of-three race for the MRH Board of Education, incumbents Wesley Robb and Ralph Posley defeated challenger Daniel O’Sullivan. Robb took 1,114 votes; Posley, 982; and O’Sullivan trailed with 838.
For Maplewood City Council, Karen Wood (Ward 1), Tim Dunn (Ward 2) and Barry Greenberg (Ward 3) ran unopposed.
Congrats to the residents of the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District for passing Proposition K; for being progressive and wanting the improvement of our schools and community to continue…. The Webster Groves district was not as fortunate with their bond issue; layoffs,cancelled programs and cancelled new building plans will ensue…