It’s back to the drawing board for the Warren County R-III School District, as a second attempt to pass Proposition W failed at the polls during the June 2 election.

The tax increase proposal was part of the district’s plan to boost staff salaries in an effort to become and remain competitive with neighboring districts, to which R-III loses many teachers. Superintendent Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith says the defeat eliminates the hope of raises for staff at the present time.

“What we’ll have to do is keep all salaries frozen,” said Klinginsmith. “What staff is making this year is what we’ll make next year. We’re not able to give raises, so we’ll have to maintain what we’re paying people.”

The proportion of citizens voting in favor of Prop W was nearly identical to the last time the initiative went on the ballot in August. The district garnered the support of 45 percent of voters. Klinginsmith says he was surprised at an increase in voter turnout and disappointed the district could not garner the amount of support necessary. Prop W won in urban precincts, but did not have strong support from rural voters.

“That’s an area we have to focus on is how do we reach out to rural voters and have them feel more connected,” said Klinginsmith. “Thats an area we’re not reaching well enough.”

Following the defeat in August, it was brought to the district’s attention that many voters weren’t clear on where the tax money would be distributed. R-III made a deliberate effort to be more transparent and spread the message about the exact use for funds prior to the June election.

“I don’t know how much more clear we could’ve been,” said Klinginsmith. “We told everybody exactly where every penny would go. Our big focus was to make sure people knew exactly where money would go. That was our communication.”

According to Klinginsmith, around 90 percent of tax increase proposals on the ballot across the state passed. This included a tax levy in Wentzville that will help continue the growth of its district salaries.

“The big concern to me is with that community voting to pass a 55 cent tax levy and our community not supporting education the way they are, I’m fearful they’ll continue to lose staff to the east at higher rate,” said Klinginsmith.

He says the board doesn’t have an immediate response plan to the setback but will take its time in pursuing other courses to retain staff.

“At this point voters have been pretty clear they are not in favor of raising taxes for our teachers,” said Klinginsmith. “We will have to look at areas to cut and have a fiscally neutral budget.”

The board was scheduled to meet on Thursday to begin discussing ideas for moving forward.