Prop S FAQ: Voting and The Election

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Here is the complete language that will appear on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot:

Shall the Board of Education of the Rockwood R-VI School District, St. Louis County, Missouri, be authorized to increase the operating tax levy of the District by $0.45 per $100 of assessed valuation for paying general operating expenses, including salaries and benefits to attract and retain staff, including teachers, school safety officers, and other employees?  If this proposition is approved, the adjusted operating levy of the District is estimated to be $4.1926 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation.

Yes ▢
No ▢

"...be authorized to increase the operating tax levy of the District by $0.45 per $100 of assessed valuation..." is statutorily-required language.

"...for paying general operating expenses, including salaries and benefits to attract and retain staff, including teachers, school safety officers and other employees?" is a limitation on use of funds.

"If this proposition is approved, the adjusted operating levy of the District is estimated to be $4.1926 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation" is the new operating tax ceiling.  The new operating tax ceiling will equal the 2025 operating tax rate plus the increase authorized by the voters.

The total tax rate is what voters will see on their tax bill and includes the 14 cents in debt service ($4.19 new operating rate + $0.14 = $4.33). 

Please utilized the tax calculator on the district website to see how Prop S would impact your Rockwood taxes: rsdmo.info/PropSTaxCalc.  

Here is the complete language that will appear on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot:

Shall the Board of Education of the Rockwood R-VI School District, St. Louis County, Missouri, be authorized to increase the operating tax levy of the District by $0.45 per $100 of assessed valuation for paying general operating expenses, including salaries and benefits to attract and retain staff, including teachers, school safety officers, and other employees?  If this proposition is approved, the adjusted operating levy of the District is estimated to be $4.1926 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation.

Yes ▢
No ▢

Rockwood works with bond counsel to prepare ballot language before it is submitted to the election authorities in Jefferson and St. Louis counties to ensure it complies with state statutes and that it is as clear as possible for voters. Because Prop S is an operating fund increase, it applies to the operating portion of the district’s tax rate, so that is what is required to be listed on the ballot. Rockwood’s total tax rate includes debt service, which is now 14 cents following the transfer over two years of 54 cents to the Capital Projects fund (Prop 3, 2023). In full transparency, Rockwood wants voters to use the total tax rate ($4.33 if Prop S passes) to calculate the impact on their property taxes so they can make an informed decision. The total tax rate is what is used to calculate the taxes paid to Rockwood and what residents see on their tax bill.

All registered voters in the Rockwood School District are eligible to vote in this election. A person may vote in any election who:

• Is a citizen of the United States and is at least 18 years old
• Has been a resident of Missouri and the district for at least 28 days before the election
• Has registered to vote by Oct. 8, 2025
• Is not registered to vote in another jurisdiction

You must register to vote by Oct. 8 to cast a Prop S ballot. If you live in St. Louis County, visit their website or call 314-615-1800 for details. If you live in Jefferson County, visit their website or call 636-797-5486, option 2. If you live in Missouri and just need to change your address, there is no deadline to do that before the election.

Voters in St. Louis County may vote at any polling place in the county on Election Day. To find a polling place near you, visit their website or call 314-615-1800. In Jefferson County a voter must vote at the poll to which they have been assigned. For more information, visit their website or call 636-797-5486, option 2.

According to the Missouri Secretary of State website, you are now required to show one of the forms of acceptable identification and sign the poll book to obtain your ballot:

• A non-expired Missouri driver or non-driver license;
• A non-expired military ID, including a veteran’s ID card;
• A non-expired United States passport; or
• Another photo ID issued by the United States or the state of Missouri that is either not expired or expired after the date of the most recent general election.

If you do not possess any of these forms of identification but are a registered voter, you may cast a provisional ballot. Your ballot will count if: (1) you return to your polling place on Election Day with a photo ID; or (2) the signature on your provisional ballot envelope is determined by your local election authority to match the signature on your voter registration record.

You can cast an absentee ballot in person or via mail through the St. Louis County Board of Elections or Jefferson County Election Authority. If you live in St. Louis County, visit their website or call 314-615-1800 for details. If you live in Jefferson County, visit their website or call 636-797-5486, option 2.

There is always an expense associated with putting something on the ballot, regardless of the time of the year. The cost to the district is also dependent on how many other organizations are placing something on that particular ballot (in order to share the cost). For Prop S, the estimates provided by both counties are:

• Jefferson County - $11,585.27
• St. Louis County - $130,420.43

Historically, Rockwood has received 10-12% refunds from both counties after the actual costs are calculated post-election.