Rockwood Board of Education Votes Unanimously to Place Prop S on November Ballot

The Rockwood School District Board of Education has voted 6-0 to place a proposition on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot for a 45-cent levy increase to raise teacher and staff salaries to be more competitive with other local school districts, expand health care benefit offerings to more employee groups and hire two additional school safety officers. One board member was not present at the meeting to vote but sent a message of support for putting Prop S on the ballot that was read aloud. 

Local funding composes 79 percent of Rockwood’s operating budget, primarily by property taxes. The district currently has one of the lowest tax rates in St. Louis County and has not asked voters for a levy increase for salaries – or for any operating expenses – since 1994. 

“To stay competitive, we need to address the gap between our salaries and those of other districts. The time has come to ask our community to support the additional resources necessary to provide competitive compensation and benefits to attract and retain highly qualified staff in our schools,” said Chief Financial Officer Cyndee Byous. “The cost of everything has gone up since 1994. Our current funding levels, while managed responsibly, no longer keep pace with the rising costs of education and the need to offer competitive compensation.”

If approved, Prop S would result in an estimated $27 million annually to fund raises for all staff, expand health care to more employee groups - including all administrative assistants, classroom assistants, bus drivers, and others -  and hire two additional school safety officers. In 2023, Rockwood hired four of its own school safety officers to cover mainly elementary buildings, but they can be called upon to assist at any school across the district. 

“That initiative has gone exceedingly well,” said Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain. “Adding two more officers would enhance what we already have in place and provide a stronger, more visible presence in our schools, creating a safer environment for everyone.”