Patch Corrects Errors in School Tax Rate Reporting

Patch had two errors in Wednesday’s story about tax rates at Mehlville School District. The story, called “Mehlville Schools Tax Rate to Increase,” has been corrected, but this article is intended to highlight those errors so readers can find clarity.

The original story incorrectly listed the newly adopted 2012 tax rates for commercial real estate. The new tax rate is $3.5716. The rate in 2011 was $3.4372. We apologize for the error.

The article also incorrectly represented a proposal for tax rates presented by school board member Rich Franz. At Tuesday’s tax hearing, Franz moved to adopt the residential tax rate proposed by the school district ($3.6494) and to hold the agricultural, personal property and commercial rates at their 2011 levels, which were lower than the proposed 2012 levels. The story said Franz proposed to raise rates, which is not true. The residential tax rate for 2011 is $3.6634, which is $0.014 more than the 2012 rate of $3.6494 that both the school district and Franz proposed Tuesday night.

We apologize to Franz for misrepresenting his efforts.

On a personal note, as the lead reporter and editor of Mehlville-Oakville Patch, I apologize wholeheartedly for these errors. I won’t make excuses. I got the numbers wrong in a numbers-driven story, and for that and for any confusion or frustration that caused, I’m sorry. If there is more I can do or explain, please let me know.

Thank you to the Mehlville and Oakville residents who contacted me about this story. You can do that, too—anytime—by reaching me by email at Lindsay.Toler@patch.com or on my cell phone at 314-452-2641.