Following an unattended public hearing on the tax rate, the California R-I School Board heard from Superintendent Dwight Sanders on the tax levy, then approved the rate as recommended.
The new tax levy rate is slightly lower because the property valuation increased by about $2 million, although the actual rate difference will be small enough to be unnoticed by most taxpayers.
The total tax levy rate for this year is $3.9136 per each $100 of assessed valuation, down from the rate of $3.9431 last year. The debt service levy remains the same at 97.56 cents per $100, while the operating levy is $2.9380, a drop of .0295 cents from last year's $2.9675.
The board members and school administrators reviewed and discussed the renovations and upgrades to the school facilities. At the time of the board meeting, the football field entryway and ticket booth were not completed at the time of the meeting, but most work, including the fence around the field, were excepted to be completed, or nearly so by the first home football game on Friday, Aug. 22.
Elementary Principal Daniel Williams reported beginning enrollment was 602, slightly above the May enrollment of 597. He reported many school projects were completed over the summer, including renovation of restrooms, new heating, ventilation, air conditioning system (HVAC), lighting, handrails, security upgrades and more. He said the maintenance and custodial staff had worked hard to make it look good. The open house was attended by 560 students and parents and guardians, 93 percent of attending students.
Middle School Principal Matt Abernathy reported beginning enrollment at 308, again slightly above the last May enrollment 297. The school improvements at the middle school include restroom improvements, tinted windows to help reduce the glare of the sun, motion activated lights in the gym and building-wide regulated HVAC.
High School principal Mike Hight reported beginning enrollment at 421, compared to the enrollment of 396 in May of the last school year. Hight said the contractors, maintenance and custodial crews worked around each other to get the school ready for the 2014-15 school year. A master schedule and integration of new classes into the curriculum helped make registration and the first day of school relatively smooth.
The staff is meeting to create protocols for the Mo Options Program. Sanders is working with several area employers and the city to see about providing half a day work experience for the Mo Option students.
In other routine business the board approved the consent agenda and payment of bills not included on the consent agenda. The next regular monthly board meeting was set for Wednesday, Sept. 17.
story created on Sunday 8/24/2014 at 2:08:43 pm by David Wilson
story modified on Tuesday 8/26/2014 at 1:01:07 pm by David Wilson