By Janine DavisRecord Staff WriterThe Wright City R-II School District will ask voters to approve a 49-cent increase in its operating tax levy in April.At last Thursday’s board meeting, members voted 6-1 to approve a resolution and ballot language to increase the operating tax levy ceiling to $3.5855 per $100 of assessed valuation for general operating purposes.Among the priorities the district is hoping to address through the ballot measure, called Proposition S, are funding a mobile learning initiative, expanding early childhood services and increasing salaries for teachers and staff.Board Treasurer Mary Groeper made the motion to accept the levy resolution, which was seconded by Corri Ruge, board secretary. Laura Marsh voted against the measure saying she is concerned the increase will be too high for many voters.R-II Superintendent Dr. Chris Gaines told the board about a number of other school district levy proposals this year, including Fort Zumwalt, which is asking for an increase of 48 cents; Webster Groves, which is requesting an additional 93 cents; Wentzville, which is proposing a hike of 25 cents; and Northwest (House Springs), which is seeking an additional 85 cents.Gaines said Kirkwood and Francis Howell are expected to have something on the ballot later in 2015.“The belief is state-level revenue is stagnant, so we’re going to see more and more districts asking for a levy increase,” said Gaines.The trend is sparked by state revenue shortfalls that are shifting more funding burden to local districts, Gaines added.Only a simple majority in April is needed to pass an increase, he noted.The 49 cents includes shifting 10 cents of the existing levy earmarked for debt service to the operating levy, resulting in a net increase to taxpayers of 39 cents.The overall increase would help address some of the salary gap between current R-II compensation and that of other districts, especially to the east. The district’s salary study group recommendations would offer a $1,000 increase in the salary steps and a $1,500 increase in the base.Also included in the levy would be a portion to fund the district’s share of operational costs for the new tuition-free preschool of about $180,000.The increase would also fund the district’s planned mobile learning initiative starting in 2016-2017. The program would put mobile devices — likely Google Chromebooks — into the hands of students to give them the same web-based educational advantages enjoyed by students across the country.Gaines and other officials sought community input on the levy through town hall meetings.“We went out and got feedback on our needs, and we continued to hear, ‘Don’t do nothing.’ ”R-II proceeding with April ballot measure