On January 9, the Jackson R-2 School District Board of Education voted to place Proposition T on the April 2, 2024 ballot. Prop T asks voters to consider a $0.47 operating tax levy increase per $100 of assessed valuation of real and personal property for the purpose of paying general operating expenses which include attracting and retaining quality teachers and staff members, protecting programs and class sizes.

The Jackson R-2 School District will be providing educational information. If you have specific questions, feel free to reach out to Superintendent Dr. Scott Smith at sasmith@jr2mail.org.

The Jackson R-2 School District is one of the largest geographical districts in Missouri. JR2 covers 283.32 square miles. It also has one of the largest student and staff populations in the area, with over 5,800 students and 887 teachers and staff members. Jackson High School alone serves 1,846 students in grades 9-12.

The mission of the Jackson R-2 School District is to provide life-ready, service motivated citizens with a passion for learning. Exceptional teachers and staff members are the key to helping students be prepared for life after high school. This preparation begins in early childhood and continues throughout a student’s educational career. Each year is a building block.

The Jackson R-2 School District worked with parents, community members and many stakeholders to create a strategic plan which serves as the guiding document for all decisions. Seven goals were identified as a primary focus for JR2. The committee concluded that out of the list of 7 areas, High Quality Faculty and Staff should be prioritized because it impacts every other area.

The Jackson R-2 School District receives funding from federal, state and local dollars. JR2 receives the least amount of funding from federal dollars due to having a low poverty rate. Jackson R-2 currently has the lowest local tax rate in the county, but the highest number of students to educate.

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds are an example of federal funds received by area districts for COVID recovery. The funds are distributed to schools based on poverty levels in the district (free and reduced lunch numbers). Because of the lower poverty rates in Jackson, JR2 received the lowest amount of federal dollars in the area, even though JR2 has the highest number of students to educate.

Because of the low poverty rate, Jackson R-2 received $1,262 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds per student even though JR2 has the highest number of students to educate in the area. Surrounding districts received more funds because of higher poverty rates in those areas.

The Jackson R-2 School District continues to grow seeing an increase in the student population each year, with the lowest local tax rate in the county but the highest number of students in the area to educate.

Because federal funds received are low due to the low poverty rate in the Jackson R-2 School District, local funds are allocated to make up the difference. Local funds are the lowest in the county at a tax rate of $3.7998. Local funds come from the collection of personal and real property taxes. Jackson has less commercial property than many surrounding areas which causes the District to receive a lower amount of local funds as well.

Jackson R-2 receives the lowest federal funds in the area and has the most students in the area. Jackson R-2 receives the lowest local funds in the county with the most students in the area.

The tax levy has not been adjusted in 18 years.

The Jackson R-2 School District currently has the lowest tax rate in Cape Girardeau County at $3.7998. The proposed $0.47 increase would place the Jackson R-2 School District in between Sikeston and Cape Girardeau.

Current revenue sources have not kept pace with the District’s growing student population. JR2 has provided modest raises to staff over the past three years. JR2 is 8.69% behind the US inflation rate.

The Jackson R-2 School District spends less than other area districts per student because there are fewer funds available due to low revenue and high student populations.

Proposition T official language on the April 2nd ballot.

Here is an average calculator based on real property for homeowners using information provided by the Cape Girardeau County Assessor's office. Personal Property would have to be calculated by each individual.