Funding provided by the state does not fully cover the actual costs to operate a school district, so levies and bonds fill in the gap.

Q: What is the difference between a levy and a bond?

A: The easiest way to remember the difference between a levy and a bond is: levies are for learning and bonds are for building. Both provide schools with funds that allow districts to cover true operating and maintenance costs.

Levies

A levy is a local property tax passed by the voters of a school district. A levy generates revenue to fund programs and services that the state does not pay for as part of basic education.

Bonds

A bond is a long-term investment that authorizes the district to purchase property for schools, construct new schools, or modernize existing schools. Bonds are sold to investors who are repaid with interest over time from property tax collections.

St. James community members approved a seven year bond in April 2018. These bond funds helped pay for two major projects at St. James High School and Lucy Wortham James Elementary School.

Q: How are bonds and levies approved?

A: Both require voter approval, but in Missouri bonds require a higher majority of voter approval than levies.

Bonds require a supermajority to pass (60%).

Levies require a simple majority to pass (50% + 1).