State
funding issue may be felt by local schools
The difficulties with state funding from the Missouri
legislature are almost certainly going to be felt by school
districts across the state. The only problem is each district
is unaware of how deep the effects will be felt on their
district.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Harpst of Platte County R-3 School
District told board members at Thursday's meeting that
a positive outcome in the funding of the formula seems
unlikely.
Harpst stated that one avenue the legislature is pursuing
is the possible cutting of MAP test funding by $7.7 million
of the $12 million set aside for testing. The current
recommendation by the legislature is to eliminate all
tests with the exception of math and communication arts.
Harpst reminded the board that it's only a recommendation
and that nothing has been set in stone.
"It's a tough time in Missouri right now as far
as state funding," stated Harpst. "I see this
recommendation as a step backwards."
Harpst also stated that the legislative session, which
ends May 10, is also the deadline for the budget. "They
are nowhere near meeting that deadline, so the legislature
may be looking at an extended session," said Harpst.
According to Harpst, the funding that was cut for the
special education program last month is temporarily back
in the budget.
In other business, board members approved the proposed
$150 tuition increase at Northland Career Center. For
a consortium member the tuition will increase to $2,400
and for a non-member/adult class the cost for tuition
will increase to $2,650, an increase of six percent.
According to NCC director John Hall, the increase in
tuition is reflected by state funding.
"The increase will cover up the losses from the
state and include the average increases we see each year
of general expenditures," said Hall.
Board members also approved rebids for the Northland
Career Center for roofing, residence flooring and mechanical.
Sellers and Marquis were awarded the roofing bid for $277,734,
Desco was awarded the residence flooring bid for $9,941
and Edwards McDowell was awarded the mechanical bid for
$157,307. Currently the total cost of the renovation of
the Northland Career Center is over $1.175 million, which
is $110,563 under budget.
Paxton Elementary will be seeing the expansion of its
playground area due to the addition of another class in
the building next year. The PTA stated it will donate
$7,300 to the project, while board members approved a
$7,500 donation for the playground equipment.
The Missouri Department of Education acknowledged Barry
7th and 8th grades in the top ten "most improved"
in MAP testing. The acknowledgment comes from the most
combined percentage of students scoring at the proficient
and advanced levels in the MAP testing. Barry 7th grade
was recognized in communication arts, and Barry 8th grade
was recognized in math and social studies.
In the building report updates, the engineer reported
that everything was on schedule. At Siegrist Elementary,
they're currently hanging duct work and the roof is being
worked on. At Paxton Elementary the top level of the building
is scheduled to be roofed next week, with the lower level
roof completed. Contractors are completing masonry work
at the high school and are working on completing kitchen
walls.
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