![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-1200x800.jpg)
![In celebration of winning his second straight state title in the 215 weight class, junior Carter Brown backflips before leaving the mat. Brown won his bout against junior Kobe Rhymes of North Kansas City High School by fall in just 41 seconds. "Carter does what Carter does. We expect [success] out of him and his goals are bigger than the state championship," coach Sam Ritchie said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2784-1200x800.jpg)
On March 4, the Boards of Education of the Rockwood and Parkway School districts held a meeting at Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis, discussing the repercussions of proposed property tax currently in Missouri Legislation.
“A revised property tax overhaul proposes to lower the minimum school levy — the lowest tax a district can impose and still qualify for state aid — by up to 20%, the first cut since Missouri law began mandating a minimum in 1988,” Rudi Keller said in her article for the Missouri Independent.
At the meeting, Dr. Chris Gaines, president of Education Plus, led an open discussion on how this bill will affect the budgets of both districts, and what they can do to prevent its passing. Education Plus is an non-profit educational service agency based in St. Louis, Missouri.
According to Gaines, this bill would cut Rockwood’s budget by over $10 million, or about 3.1% of the District’s current spending budget.
Furthermore, the bill would change how tax revenue from existing assets and new construction would be calculated.
“In 2026-2027, Districts must calculate tax rates as if this revenue had been received,” Gaines said.
In 2025-2026, Rockwood had over $4 million in unrealized revenue. Under the new proposed bill, Rockwood would be unable to use this type of revenue in the future.
If this bill passes, Rockwood would lose about $951 per student. Currently spends roughly $12,000 on each of its over 19,000 students.
In the discussion, both boards came to the agreement that the passing of this bill would have a devastating effect on the budgets of each district. Members of both boards will be visiting the state capital, Jefferson City, to speak with lawmakers.
The bill is expected to be on ballots this November during the midterm elections.
Rockwood Superintendent Curtis Cain speaks on the meeting and how the two districts will continue working together. pic.twitter.com/uhyusoqIC1
— The Lancer Feed (@thelancerfeed) March 5, 2026
