Chesterfield Considers Property Tax Rates, Parkway Weighs Action Against Bus Driver

Chesterfield residents will have their choice of public meetings tonight with the Parkway School Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Parkway Central Middle School and the Chesterfield City Council meeting at 7 p.m. at Chesterfield City Hall.

Chesterfield City Council

The Chesterfield City Council will hold second readings for several items that were previously discussed in public hearings, including fixing 2012 property tax rates for the repayment of park bonds.

According to the city’s website, they were proposed to be set at $0.03 per $100 in assessed valuation resulting in an estimated revenue of $512,699.

In other business, the board will:

• Vote on the second reading of a bill establishing new speed limits on Clarkson and Olive roads.
• Vote on the first reading of a bill eliminating its public works citizens advisory group.
• Vote on the first reading of a bill approving extending hours of operation for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Parkway School Board

In a closed portion of the Parkway School District's regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting Wednesday, members will discuss the status of a district bus driver who has been recommended for termination following an incident on the first day of school.

The driver was suspended after district officials said she let a third grade student at Craig Elementary off at a stop other than her own. The girl was disoriented while trying to walk home and was discovered in Creve Coeur Park.

A district spokeswoman called the driver's actions "Unacceptable" and said Superintendent Dr. Keith Marty had recommended the driver lose her job.

In other business, the board will:

• Vote on a resolution backing statewide ballot question Proposition B, a Tobacco Tax increase which could raise between $283 million to $423 million annually. Some of those proceeds would fund programs to reduce tobacco use, according to the ballot language, while other proceeds would go towards public education at the elementary, secondary and college levels. 

• Discuss ongoing talks taking place with the Rockwood School District over merging Continuing Education programs. Talk of bringing those programs together as potentially a part of cost-savings began this past spring. District officials on both sides have been looking at project budgets and attorneys have been looking at language that would further define a potential partnership, according to district documents prepared for Wednesday's meeting. Formal votes from each Board of Education could come next month.

The Parkway board will also meet at 7 p.m. to hear public comment and vote on setting the 2012-2013 "blended" tax rate at $4.1838.