A campaign of Citizens for Hillsboro Proposition H
Vote yeson Prop H
Safe schools. Strong schools. Strong community.
Prop H is Hillsboro R-3's school levy question on the November 3 ballot. It funds secure entrances, safer drop-off, career and technical classrooms, fine arts and athletics — in the district with the lowest school tax levy of the 15 districts on the 2025 Jefferson County tax rate list.
We are your neighbors — parents, grandparents, teachers and taxpayers — volunteering together as Citizens for Hillsboro Proposition H to pass Prop H on November 3.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026/
What is Prop H?
Proposition H is a proposed $1.39 operating tax levy increase per $100 of assessed valuation for the Hillsboro R-3 School District. Voters decide on November 3, 2026, and if it passes the increase begins with the 2027 tax year.
The revenue would go to general operating purposes and to identified facility, safety, instructional and infrastructure projects across the district.
Operating levy, not a bond issue
The ballot raises the operating levy ceiling, and that revenue can support both daily operations and the construction and improvement purposes named in the ballot language.
What Prop H builds
Safer entries. Real trades. Room to grow.
Here is the plan, building by building — every school in the district. Inset photos show sample spaces from comparable schools, not final Hillsboro designs.
Project scope and costs are preliminary and will be refined as design and planning proceed.
Safe schools
Every child walks through a locked front door
Hillsboro High School is the district's remaining main instructional building without the same controlled-entry configuration as the others. Prop H fixes that — and adds more.
Secure entrance
A secure, controlled entry at Hillsboro High School — the district's remaining main instructional building without one.
Controlled access
Additional security cameras districtwide and secured access doors throughout the district.
Playgrounds & ADA
Playground safety improvements and ADA accessibility upgrades so every student can get where they're going.
Traffic & drop-off
Better roads, parking and traffic patterns for safer student drop-off and pickup.
A record of fiscal responsibility
The lowest school tax rate in the county
Hillsboro has lowered its tax rate six consecutive years while paying off about $27 million in bond debt — saving taxpayers roughly $3 million in interest.
- 6
- Straight years of lowering the rate
- $27M
- Bond debt paid off
- $3M
- Saved in interest
- #1
- Lowest rate of the county districts compared
2025 tax rates per $100 assessed valuation
- Hillsboro R-3 (today)$3.4371
- Festus R-VI$3.9901
- Fox C-6$4.1867
- De Soto #73$4.3890
- Jefferson R-VII$4.5967
- Crystal City #47$4.6681
- With Prop H (estimated)$4.7338
- Dunklin R-5$4.8569
Even with Prop H, Hillsboro's estimated rate lands in the middle of its neighbors — below Dunklin R-5 and close to districts it already sits under.
Taxes and home values
Strong schools hold up home values
Ask any realtor what buyers filter for first. Not square footage — the school district.
Buyers shop by district
Families moving into Jefferson County narrow their search by school district before they ever look at a kitchen. Being the district people move toward is what keeps demand — and prices — strong in Hillsboro.
It lifts every home
You don't need a child in school to benefit. A district known for safe, modern buildings supports what every home on every street in it is worth, whether you're 32 with a kindergartner or 72 with grandkids.
Falling behind costs more
Deferred work doesn't get cheaper, and a district that slips gets priced into every listing. You find out the day you sell — and by then you can't vote on it.
The straight answer on cost:
Yes — if Prop H passes, your school tax goes up, starting with the 2027 tax year. Weigh it against this: the levy is a known annual cost, while what a strong district adds to your home's value shows up in the price you get when you sell — and Hillsboro is starting from the lowest rate in the county.
Your home, 2014 to 2025
Values up about 34%. School taxes up about $4 a year.
Four real Hillsboro-area homes, using Jefferson County Assessor appraised values. Growth in home value did not translate into a growing school tax bill.
| Home | 2014 value | 2025 value | Value change | 2014 school tax | 2025 school tax | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off Buckeye Road (East) | $233,100 | $310,600 | +33.2% | $2,106.11 | $2,169.84 | +$5.79 |
| City of Hillsboro | $119,100 | $161,600 | +35.7% | $1,074.45 | $1,129.05 | +$4.96 |
| Raintree (West) | $153,800 | $203,200 | +32.1% | $1,388.23 | $1,423.27 | +$3.19 |
| Tarawood (Northwest) | $103,100 | $138,800 | +34.6% | $931.82 | $970.91 | +$3.55 |
Assessor appraised values, not market sale prices. Prop H would add $1.39 per $100 of assessed valuation beginning with the 2027 tax year — see the FAQ for what that means for a specific home.
Why now
Why is Prop H on the ballot now?
Hillsboro did a thorough assessment of its current facilities, then asked the community through a survey what future needs they wanted addressed, and held two public meetings for feedback. Prop H is what came out of that work.
The needs identified — school security, traffic flow, accessibility, playgrounds, fine arts, career and technical education, athletics and building infrastructure — exceed what the district can complete within its current budget while maintaining existing programs, staffing and daily operations.
Survey results & meeting recordings from the districtWays to help
Support Prop H
Put a sign in your yard
Neighbors notice neighbors. A free sign in your yard is the single best thing you can do today.
Volunteer
A couple of hours makes a real difference before November 3.
- Put out and check yard signs around the district
- Hand out flyers or knock doors on a weekend
- Share our posts with your neighbors
Donate
Donations pay for yard signs, flyers, mailers and ads. No contribution is too small.
helps put 5 signs in yards
prints about 300 flyers
mails postcards to about 200 homes
a week of online ads plus signs
Missouri law requires us to record each donor's name and address, and employer and occupation for larger gifts — please include them.
Or mail a check
Payable to Citizens for Hillsboro Prop H.
1517 Saint Charles Drive
Hillsboro, MO 63050
Follow Prop H on Facebook
Sign locations, volunteer shifts, project updates and voting reminders. Like the page and share it with your neighbors.
Go to our Facebook pageHow to vote
Mark your calendar
- Sep 22
Absentee voting opens
- Oct 7
Last day to register to vote
- Oct 20
No-excuse absentee voting in person begins
- Nov 3
Election Day — vote yes on Prop H
Questions & details
FAQ's
The numbers, the ballot language, and what happens either way.
The bottom line
Why Hillsboro needs Prop H
Hillsboro R-3 has a strong record of using taxpayer dollars responsibly. The district has the lowest school tax levy in Jefferson County, while also reducing debt by $27 million and saving taxpayers more than $3 million in interest. But to continue providing safe, quality facilities and keep pace with surrounding school districts, additional local funding is needed. This comes at a time when state funding continues to be limited, making it harder for schools to meet growing needs with existing revenue alone.
This initiative is not simply about nicer buildings. It is about giving Hillsboro the resources needed to continue operating at a high level and providing students with the schools they deserve. Strong schools also play an important role in a strong community and can help support property values over time. For residents who are proud to call Hillsboro home, Prop H represents a necessary investment in our schools, our community, and our future.
Vote yes on Prop H — Tuesday, November 3, 2026