A committee is launching efforts to encourage St. Joseph voters to approve a tax levy for the St. Joseph School District on the November ballot.

The Committee to Move St. Joseph Forward is launching its campaign efforts Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 4:30 p.m. at the Felix St. Square Concession Building. Co-Chair Kristi Arthur, said after the launch, the committee will then start making rounds in the St. Joseph community to promote a yes vote on Proposition 1.

“We’ll canvas every Saturday; the 14, 21, 28 and then November 4th,” Arthur said. “We need as many people to turn out to help with those events as possible.”

Arthur said the committee was formed after the St. Joseph School District Board of Education approved putting the $1.15 ta increase on the Nov. 7 ballot. That happened after the 1Vision Special Task Force recommended the tax levy.

“A community group of over 60 community members wanted to come up with a plan to move St. Joseph forward,” Arthur said. “It’s really important for us to lift up that a group of community members developed the plan and pushed the board to put it on the ballot.”

The committee said, if the proposition is approved by voters it would generate $11.5 million each year. According to the St. Joseph School District, approval of the proposal will allow the district to eliminate a projected budget deficit, retain teaching positions, maintain low class sizes, expand the use of technology for all students and support the current educational programs.

CLICK HERE to view a detailed plan on what the funds will be used for on the committee’s website. Arthur said community volunteers are also needed. Volunteer opportunities can be found HERE.

Anyone who wants to vote on the Nov. 7 ballot needs to be registered in Buchanan County by today (Oct. 11).  According to Buchanan County Clerk Mary Baack-Garvey her office will be open until 5 p.m.  Contact the clerk’s office for details regarding voter registration at 816-271-1412 or visit the website here.