According to a recent news report by KMOV invstigative reporter Chris Nagus, private country clubs in Missouri receive a "sweetheart deal" which allows them to pay less in taxes.

(View Chris Nagus' report on KMOV here.)

 As a result, homeowners pay more in taxes and school districts, including the Parkway School District, receive less money for education.

According to Nagus' report, Town and Country's Bellerive Country Club, Meadowbrook, and Westwood are all country clubs located within the Parkway school district. He said Parkway is losing $218,850 a year due to the loophole.

Parkway School District Board President Beth Feldman is interviewed in the KMOV report. She points out that any extra money would help Parkway because the district cut eight million dollars from its budget last year and will likely make additional cuts.

(For instant news updates follow Patch on Facebook and Twitter.)

Nagus said in his report that there are 16 private country clubs in St. Louis County that receive the tax advantage due to an old court ruling. The law allows the country clubs to pay taxes based on residential codes, instead of paying commercial taxes.

County Assessor Jake Zimmerman said the loophole is unfair and is calling on the Missouri legislature to change the law.

What do you think about the loophole? Tell us in the comments below.