By Derrick ForsytheRecord Staff WriterWright City R-II School District officials are debating when they should ask voters again to pass a tax increase.Discussion on the issue continued at last Thursday’s school board meeting. Members weighed in on how much the tax increase should be and when the issue should be presented to voters.The district attempted to pass a 49-cent increase during the April election earlier this year, but 57 percent of voters rejected the proposal, which would have gone primarily toward funding salary increases for teachers.“We have not had an increase in operating tax levy via the voters in this century,” said Superintendent Dr. David Buck.Presently, the district’s tax rate for operations is $3.1259 per $100 of assessed property valuation. As has been the case for the past seven years, Wright City has a lower tax levy than any of the five districts it borders.R-II also is significantly under the state expected levy of $3.43.Board members voiced the need to at least increase the present number to match the state average.“We are under that amount,” said Buck. “Wright City does not collect over half a million dollars annually that the formula assumes we are contributing to meet the state adequacy target.”Voters would be counted on to make up that difference, but board members are trying to determine when would be the best time to present the issue to its patrons again. Buck says there are several differences this time around, including more support from the faculty.“I can tell you the teaching staff is excited about going for it in 2016,” said Buck. “There’s definitely a different feel among the staff, and they’re wanting to be active about it.”Board members indicated the desire to have R-II salaries competitive with the surrounding districts in an effort to retain teachers. Buck pointed out the district loses the majority of its staff to the bordering Howell district.“We have members of the community voicing their concerns of us being able to keep quality teachers here,” said Buck. “We want to make sure we are giving them a reason to stay.”In terms of the time line, election dates for both April and November 2016 are being considered.The April election may present the challenge of going up against proposed tax increase measures from other government bodies. Board members discussed the risk of forcing voters to decide which issue was more important to them at the time instead of voting in favor of all three proposals.Concerning the November ballot, the board discussed the likelihood that there would be a greater turnout with it being a presidential election.“I like November just because of the sheer number of people that will be out voting,” said board member Erin Williams.Figures presented during the meeting indicated R-II historically had a much better success rate in passing bond issues when the voter turnout was at its highest.“The bigger the numbers, the more we’ve passed,” said Board President Austin Jones.The date the board decides upon also would impact when the potential increase would take effect.“If you pass a levy in November of 2016, it doesn’t take effect until August of 2017,” noted Buck.On the contrary, passing the increase in April of 2016 would enable the increase to take effect for the 2016-17 school year.“I’m comfortable with waiting until the November election if the board feels it’s best,” added Buck.R-II School District