The need is still there and is actually greater than it was last year, given the rise in interest rates.
Twenty-three percent of Rockwood voters cast a ballot in the April 2022 election and the proposition failed 51% (no) to 49% (yes). A post-election survey revealed that many who voted against it indicated they lacked information, didn't understand the transfer or thought it was a tax increase.
The district could have come back this year with a bond issue to fund annual safety, technology and maintenance needs, but that would have cost taxpayers millions in unnecessary interest and it would be a short-term fix to an annual, ongoing issue. Rockwood has 34 schools and 3.8 million square feet of facilities that cost approximately $30 million each year to maintain. Reallocating tax dollars now being used to reduce debt to fund annual needs can be accomplished without increasing the tax rate and without taking on additional debt. It is a fiscally-responsible way to address those annual needs.