Prop W benefits all of us.
Whether you have students in the district or not.
On November 3rd, we have the opportunity to support students, our community, and our property values by ensuring our school district receives adequate funding needed to maintain its current level of quality.
By voting yes on Prop W, a $0.65 operating tax levy on assessed value will maintain the district’s high quality of education by helping to fill an estimated $5 million funding gap, in turn, keeping and attracting outstanding teachers, programs, and opportunities our community has come to value for our kids. Click here to use the WGSD Prop W tax calculator to see your estimated impact.
But...
doesn’t state funding cover much of the WGSD budget? No. Over 80% of WGSD funding comes from property and local taxes from the people who live in the district. Commercial property accounts for only about 12.5% of WGSD's combined residential and commercial assessed value, compared to roughly 18% in Kirkwood, 19% in Affton, and over 20% in Lindbergh, Parkway, and Clayton.
Is the WGSD trimming their budget just like we all are? Yes. And it will continue even if Prop W passes.
What caused this? Reductions in state funding, revenue loss, and higher health insurance premiums and operational costs (see below and FAQs for more) have all impacted the budget shortfall (as they have in other Missouri and St. Louis school districts).
Does WGSD have more administrators than most? No. They’re in the middle of the pack, ranking 11 out of 22 county districts.
Will district cuts be immediate if Prop W doesn’t pass? Yes. The district will need to immediately make a $2M cut in Year 1. This could impact up to 20 positions, leading to larger class sizes, reduced extracurricular activities, and changes to transportation.
And this would be not a one-time cut. The district's fund balance will continue to deplete annually. With state funding declining and Missouri ranking 49th out of 50 in education funding, it relies heavily on local community taxes.
Could this impact my home’s value? Yes. When school districts are highly rated, the homes in them are valued higher. And, since they're coveted, they can also sell faster.
So, if Prop W passes, and I don’t have kids in the district, it benefits me? Yes.
And if Prop W passes, and I have kids in the district, it benefits me? Yes.
Keep our schools and community strong.
Vote YES on Prop W
The WGSD has always been a big reason people move to Webster, stay here, and come back to raise their families.
It goes without saying that strong schools play a huge role in a strong and growing community. If you live in Webster Groves and the other nearby communities the WGSD serves, you know our schools, teachers, and students generate a deep sense of community pride.
And when it comes to property values and retaining/attracting businesses, having well-rated schools helps a community’s demand, appreciation, and sustainability. Top tier schools mean top tier communities. WGSD’s ratings on greatschools.org (what you see on Zillow listings) are rated “above average,” meaning homes in the district can sell faster and command higher prices.
Just this year, WGHS ranked among the top 4% of high schools in Missouri and the top 8% nationally, out of more than 27,000 high schools nationwide by U.S. News & World Report. This mirrors the excellence that many of our community's families experience in our district buildings every day.
The numbers changed.
The mission didn’t.
A projected $5 million funding gap was created by these three factors:
1️⃣ $1.7 million projected reduction in state funding for 2027
2️⃣ $1.423 million increase in health insurance premiums, plus, increases in operational costs
3️⃣ $500,000 estimated revenue loss resulting from the senior property tax freeze
Home values have gone up, but the school tax rate hasn’t. It's confusing, but it's the law.
WGSD has not received a tax-rate increase in 15 years. During that time, the district's reported blended tax rate has gone down from $5.77 in 2015 to $3.9604 for the 2025–26 school year. The decline is due in part to Missouri’s Hancock Amendment—a state law that forces school tax rates down when home values rise faster than inflation.
District funding can shrink in real ways even as costs keep climbing, especially since this district receives over 80% of its funding from local taxes and property taxes. Note that, according to the district, even with the proposed increase, the tax rate would remain in the bottom half of St. Louis County's 22 traditional school districts.
The district has already made cuts. Over the last three years, the district has made cuts to combat this growing gap, however, starting this 2026-2027 school year, is at a point where gaps cannot be closed without making significant impacts to classrooms, staff and student programs. And if Prop W is approved, the district will continue to reduce spending.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Superintendent Dr. Jana Parker can come to you and share information and answer questions about Prop W. Email the district to request a conversation with her in your neighborhood.
What we've always believed in.
On the ballot Nov. 3rd.
Ballot language
Shall the Board of Education of the Webster Groves School District, St. Louis County, Missouri, be authorized to increase the operating levy of the school district by sixty-five cents ($0.65) per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation for the purpose of supporting high quality educational programs for students, attracting and retaining qualified teachers and staff, maintaining competitive salaries and benefits, and paying general operating expenses of the school district? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted operating levy of the school district is estimated to be $4.0448 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation.
Voter information
Missouri residents can register to vote online, by mail or in person. You can also check your current registration status through the Missouri Secretary of State’s Voter Information Lookup.
Register to vote: Missouri Secretary of State – Register to Vote
Registration Deadline for the November 3 Election is October 7.
Voting early
Missouri offers no-excuse absentee voting in person beginning October 20. Voters can cast an absentee ballot at a location designated by their local election authority and must present an acceptable photo ID. Absentee voting with an excuse opens September 22 via in-person and mail-in methods. Learn more.
Where to vote
Voters can vote at any polling place in St. Louis County. Find polling places here.
Election Day, Tues., November 3rd
Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. If you're in line at 7 p.m., you have the right to vote.
Want to get involved? Volunteer or donate to help Prop W pass on November 3rd.
