Fox C-6 Board Discusses Tax Revenue, Plans Roof Repairs and Approves New Sophomore Assessment

October 6 meeting highlights school funding questions, summer 2027 building improvements and expanded career planning for students.

By The Jefferson Review

The Fox C-6 Board of Education’s October 6 meeting brought two perspectives on school finances into focus: a resident emphasized that property-tax revenue has risen despite a lower tax rate, while Superintendent Dr. Paul Fregeau said the district spends less per student than most of its comparison districts and faces a weaker local tax base.

The board also heard plans for roof improvements at Antonia Middle School and Fox High School, approved a career assessment for all tenth-grade students, and received updates on student achievements and community support.

Tax Revenue and School Spending Draw Discussion

During public comment, a district resident urged the board and community to distinguish between the district’s tax rate and the amount of money that rate generates.

Citing figures he said came from district materials, the resident said real-estate and personal-property tax revenue increased from approximately $61.9 million in 2017–2018 to approximately $92.9 million in 2025–2026. He described that as an increase of about 50%, while student enrollment declined by roughly 1,000 students over the same period.

His point: a declining levy does not necessarily mean the district receives less tax revenue.

Fregeau’s report addressed a different measure of district finances: how much Fox C-6 spends per student and how much its local property-tax base generates compared with other districts.

According to the comparison he presented, Fox C-6 ranked eighth among nine districts in operating expenditures per pupil, at $12,702. Only one district in that group spent less.

Fregeau clarified that the figure covers operating expenses, excluding capital expenditures and debt service.

He also said Fox C-6 ranked last among the nine districts in the amount generated per student by a 10-cent levy. That amount produced approximately $133 per student in Fox C-6, compared with approximately $425 in Parkway, according to his presentation.

The difference, he explained, reflects assessed property value per student. A district with a larger tax base can generate more money with the same tax rate.

Board member Jim Chellew emphasized that districts face similar expectations for student achievement despite differences in available resources.

Fregeau also presented two individual home examples, one in Imperial and one in Arnold, to illustrate how school taxes had increased more slowly than the properties’ values between 2007 and 2025. He said rising operating costs, including food, fuel and employee compensation, remain a challenge.

He told the board the financial comparisons were intended to explain district operations, rather than announce a request for higher taxes.

Roof Work Planned for Summer 2027

Joe Voypick of Navigate Building Solutions presented the first roofing package planned under the district’s Proposition M improvements.

The proposed summer 2027 work includes a full roof restoration at Antonia Middle School and selected roof areas at Fox High School. Some Fox High sections were identified as critical, while others were included to coordinate with planned heating, ventilation and air-conditioning work.

Voypick outlined three approaches based on existing roof conditions.

Where the existing insulation and underlying materials can remain, crews can install a new roof system without a complete tear-off. Areas with multiple roofing layers or significant water infiltration would require more extensive replacement. Selected metal roofs would receive rust-inhibiting and sealing treatments.

The proposed restoration and replacement systems would carry 30-year warranties, while the metal-roof treatments would carry 15-year warranties.

Voypick estimated that full replacement could cost approximately 15% to 20% more than a retrofit, making existing roof conditions an important factor in controlling costs.

The schedule presented to the board calls for bids to be solicited in October, reviewed during the week of November 16, and followed by a contractor recommendation in early December. Construction is planned after the 2026–2027 school year ends, with completion before the following school year begins.

District officials also discussed existing rooftop solar arrays. Chief Operating Officer Tracy Schmidt said the district is evaluating their functionality and working with the vendor before deciding how to proceed. Fregeau said removal and recycling appeared likely, but no final decision was announced.

Board Approves Career Assessment for Tenth Graders

The board approved an updated district assessment plan that adds the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, for all tenth-grade students.

Dr. Alisha Conley, director of assessment and college/career readiness, explained that the assessment can support career exploration beyond military service by helping students identify strengths, interests and potential career pathways.

The results would help inform students’ Individual Career and Academic Plans and guide conversations about future coursework and opportunities after graduation.

Conley told the board that tenth-grade students’ information would not be released to military recruiters.

Students would retain their eleventh-grade college and career readiness assessment options, including the ACT, ACT WorkKeys, Accuplacer and ASVAB.

The district aims to administer the sophomore assessment in the fall, around November, so results are available before students begin planning courses for the next school year.

The board also approved the revised 2026–2027 assessment calendar. Conley explained how the district is coordinating i-Ready assessments with state MAP and end-of-course testing requirements.

Board President Todd Scott emphasized that a testing window spanning multiple days does not mean each student takes tests every day during that period. Buildings use those windows to schedule different grades, subjects and makeup testing.

Scott also expressed frustration with state requirements that constrain the district’s scheduling options.

Students Report School Spirit and Community Service

Student ambassadors Trinity Bresnan of Fox High School and Lucy Wodicker of Seckman High School shared updates on activities at their schools.

Bresnan reported that Fox’s Music on the Meramec marching-band competition drew 20 bands and approximately 3,000 attendees. She also highlighted choir achievements, including 15 students earning places in the all-district choir and 10 qualifying to audition for all-state choir.

Fox’s homecoming festivities included a parade along Jeffco Boulevard, a 27–7 football victory over Parkway West and a dance attended by more than 700 students.

Wodicker reported that Seckman’s Powderpuff football event raised more than $1,900 for charity and collected more than 1,000 canned goods for a local food pantry.

She also highlighted academic incentives for more than 700 middle- and high-school students, Seckman’s 26–20 double-overtime victory over Fox, and homecoming festivities that included more than 900 students at the dance.

Donations and Foundation Support

The board’s approval of the consent agenda included several donations.

Fox Elementary received $5,000 from Jean Gruenewald in memory of her husband, Don Gruenewald, a former principal of the school. The donation will support campus beautification.

Fox High School received $1,000 from Kenny Wallace for capital improvements. Scott said Wallace is scheduled to be inducted into the school’s Alumni Hall of Fame on October 24.

The district also recognized donations supporting staff appreciation.

Officials promoted an October 18 performance of Peter and the Wolf at Rickman Auditorium benefiting the C-6 Educational Foundation. Fregeau said the foundation has provided more than $300,000 in classroom, cultural and other educational grants over the past decade, plus an additional $100,000 in welfare grants.

The board also adopted policy updates recommended by the Missouri School Boards’ Association.

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