The St. Joseph School District Board of Education received an audit
report Monday from Westbrook & Associates, regarding the financial health of the St. Joseph
School District.
Auditors complimented the district on sound financial management for the period of 2013-14.
No material findings were reported.
The audit did express concerns regarding the financial challenges the district might face in the
future. The report states “Further complicating the matter is the fact that 16.7% of the district’s
property tax revenue for operations is set to “sunset” in August 2015, making long-term facility
and financial planning difficult if not impossible. This amounts to nearly $6.5 million annually.
The District’s operating levy has not been increased since 2004. The total tax levy rate of
$4.0886 for the 2014-2015 school year is lower than the tax rate for fiscal year 1974-75, 40 years
ago. Seeking an increase in the operating levy sometime during the next few years appears to be
a necessity.”
The report concluded, “The District continues to provide quality programs and its students
continue to achieve at high levels. The School District of St. Joseph has committed itself to
financial and educational excellence for many years.”
The complete report can be found on the district website:
http://esb.sjsd.k12.mo.us/attachments/ddbd2d27-2e9d-4908-8ae4-3cffaf18fbaf.pdf