Rocket Review
Monthly Newsletter Update: December 2023
Last month I wrote to you in regard to the Board considering a bond issue for the April ballot. I want to reiterate part of that conversation here and expand upon it.
For explanation purposes I would tell you that the districts levy is made up of two parts. A Levy and a Bond. The levy is permanent and if not renewed the bond goes away. When you look at the West Nodaway Tax Rates by fund the permanent levy is listed as Incidental and the bond is listed as Debt Service. When the Board has the tax rate hearing every year they really set two levies. They set an incidental levy and a debt service levy. These two make up the total levy.
I have used this phrase with you before “Bonds are for Building and Levies are for Learning.” This is a good explanation because the incidental levy pays for salaries and all things learning, while the Debt Service levy pays for building projects. This is why Bonds are usually passed for a specific time period. They are allowed to be added to and extended or may expire.
History and wisdom tell us that a district never really wants to let a bond expire because if you have a major construction issue you will struggle to have the funds to pay for it without a bond. Therefore, just as West Nodaway has continually done, the patrons of the district have voted to renew their bond every so many years. Historically for West Nodaway this appears to happen on the average about every 5 years.
If a district has a bond for construction purposes and they wish to add to it or extend the time these items are usually put on a ballot and ran as a no tax increase item. For example, the West Nodaway R-I district has .6542 cents in debt service. If patrons voted to extend this for a period of years to pay for a project the levy would stay the same. The time to pay the .6542 cents would just be extended rather than expiring.
The Language the Board will be considering at the December meeting is as follows:
Shall the Board of Education of the West Nodaway County R-I School District, Missouri,
without an estimated increase in the current debt service property tax levy, borrow money in
the amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) for the purpose of providing funds to replace
roofs and improve insulation; to repair and/or replace sewer lines; to upgrade the heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at the High School; to the extent funds are
available, complete other repairs and improvements to the existing facilities of the District;
and issue general obligation bonds for the payment thereof?
If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the School District is
estimated to remain unchanged at $0.6542 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of
real and personal property.
If you have any questions in regard to this issue or the preventative maintenance needs of the district feel free to contact a member of the Board or stop by the school office.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Dr. Barnes
I can’t believe we have made it to December and the end of the 1st semester. We even got some early November snow which should remind everyone to make sure to bundle up with coats, gloves, and hats. If you are in need of any of these items please reach out to the school and we can help. We will be going outside for recess any time the wind chill is 25 degrees or above. Having winter clothing is very important as 25 degrees is still pretty cold.
Unfortunately, a change in weather can often bring illness. Please remember to notify the school if your child will be absent and present any doctors notes or documentation immediately upon return from the absence. If you are unfamiliar with the school policy regarding absences I suggest that you please take time to look over the elementary handbook regarding student absences.
I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New year. I hope the holiday season treats everyone well. December will have several events happening in the elementary.
- Wednesday, December 6th is the Elementary Christmas Concert in the high school gymnasium
starting at 6:30P.M.
- Monday, December 11th 5:30P.M.-7:30P.M. will be the Preschool and PAT Game Night in the
elementary gym.
- School will be in session on Monday, December 18th. This will be the Elementary Formal
Christmas dinner. This is a special dinner for our students only. Students and teacher will eat a
formal lunch in the elementary gym to celebrate the holiday.
- December 20th will be the last day of school before Christmas Break and classroom Christmas
parties will also be held this day. Teachers will reach out individually with details and plans for your
child’s Christmas party.
If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to the classroom teacher or myself and we will be glad to assist you. Have a great December and Holiday Season Rockets!
Mr. Conn
Nurse’s News December
Our busy season has arrived! We’ve had some illness make its way back into school. Lots of respiratory symptoms- sore throat, cough, congestion. With all illnesses our policy remains the same, fever free x 24 hours and improvement of symptoms, or if antibiotics are required they need to be started for a full 24 hours before return. Nothing has changed with this policy, so if any questions at all please reach out and I’ll be happy to answer. We do not require quarantines, and only ill students need to stay home. It’s always nice to have a heads up on anything the nurse may need to know! We are taking extra precautions and encouraging basic prevention within our classrooms to help as well.
Thank you to the community for the coats and gloves. We have a big stock and are ready to share these with anyone. I have resources that I can get coats all year long, so please don’t hesitate if you need one. Students are constantly borrowing coats for recess, please make sure to send a coat, hat and gloves everyday. Elementary students go outside in pretty chilly conditions.
Our lost and found is accumulating, let us know if anything looks familiar!
As we head into December, the character word elementary students will be focusing on is empathy: understanding and connecting to other people’s feelings. There is a big difference between sympathy and empathy and when we connect with the concept of being empathetic, it is easier to consider other’s points of view. As a youngster, this is hard since everything they think about is “I, my, or mine”. However, what has been seen in counseling classes this school year is that the Character Strong lessons do a very good job reaching students at their grade level and making concepts attainable and relatable.
7th Grade students have counseling class each Tuesday during 1st Hour of 2nd Quarter. We have focused on study skills, critical thinking, and career options. Some of the tasks are quite challenging for the students as they have to use their brain power to solve problems, investigate their own strengths/weaknesses, and plan for the future. We will finish the semester with mock interviews, completing career assessments, and setting goals.
“College and Career Mondays” started out being a way for high school students to explore career
options but I have had some junior high interest so it’s now open for 7-12 students. Thus far groups
have explored agriculture careers, health care related businesses, and areas in emergency services. I have enjoyed each group of students who have volunteered to come to school on a Monday and spend their day learning about careers. The next trip is December 4 going to Milford, NE and visiting Southeast Community College to learn about diesel mechanics and John Deere programs. January 22 is focused on programs offered at North Central Missouri College where we will visit both Savannah and Trenton campuses. Another trip in the works is for cosmetology and massage therapy that will either be in early January or February.
College representatives from Missouri Western, Northwest, Tarkio Tech, Mizzou, and the military, have been at West Nodaway to speak with students. There has been very little interest from students in meeting with these recruiters. I have asked juniors and seniors about specific post-secondary options but feedback has been minimal. Please encourage your child to meet with these representatives as they can provide deeper answers to questions related to your student’s future.
There have been roughly 100 scholarship opportunities provided to seniors this school year. It’s been great seeing a couple seniors take advantage of these options and complete applications. There will be many more scholarships distributed as the school year progresses but don’t wait until the end as each one has a different deadline! Please come see me if you need an application reviewed, help with an essay, or clarification of requirements.
District Information
Website: wnrockets.com
Location: 17665 US Hwy 136, Burlington Junction, MO 64428, USA
Phone: 660-725-4613
Twitter: @WNrockets