Dexter School Board Issues Press Release on Facility Needs

Local Schools

August 14th 2017 by Dee Loflin

Dexter R-XI School District Press Release: Studies Long Range Financing Plans To Accommodate Priority Facilities Needs

At a special workshop meeting of the Board of Education for the Dexter R-XI School District conducted on August 10, 2017, at the District administration offices, several long range planning matters concerning the potential levy necessary to meet the priority facilities needs of the District were discussed at length.

The District’s municipal bond underwriter, L.J. Hart & Company of St. Louis, Missouri, reviewed several project amounts and Larry J. Hart, President/CEO of the firm, explained the associated debt service fund levies necessary to accommodate each hypothetical situation.

The Board President, Rick Williams, stated, “Since Fiscal Year 2006-07, the District’s assessed valuation has only grown by 1.78%. However, the District’s facilities have continued to age, and the projected costs of fixing our buildings to be more conducive to a quality education are likely to rise in the near term. I believe we need to give some careful thought as to what the best course of action might be for establishing the debt service fund levy at the August tax rate hearing at a level sufficient to complete our numerous high priority facility improvements.”

The superintendent of schools, C.A. Counts, pointed out that an approach that focuses on preserving the debt service levy does not appear to be viable in terms of accomplishing the multitude of improvements that are a high priority. He requested that L.J. Hart & Company bring projections to the meeting to demonstrate what can be achieved with associated levy adjustments to fund hypothetical project amounts for the board members’ knowledge. He also mentioned that the increase in assessed valuation for the Fiscal Year 2017-18 was above the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which has the impact of reducing the operating tax levy ceiling by 2.21 Cents from $2.7869 of Fiscal Year 2016-17 to $2.7648 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation for Fiscal Year 2017-18. We need to consider at least moving this 2.21 Cents to debt service to maintain a constant total tax levy,” Mr. Counts remarked.

The District’s last general obligation bond issue election was on April 3, 2007 for the $14,000,000 to construct the new classrooms at Southwest Elementary, Dexter High School, T.S. Hill Middle School, Central Elementary and to construct the new Event Center and other improvements. The District’s assessed valuation at that time was $157,235,714 and was averaging approximately a seven percent (7.00%) annual growth rate although the Board of Education asked the Municipal Bond Underwriter, L.J. Hart & Company, to only project it at 3.50% to be conservative. Now eleven years later, the District’s assessed valuation is $190,324,289 and has only averaged an annual growth rate of 1.27% for the last five years. The facilities of the District did not stop aging during this time period, and in fact, the cost of making additional improvements has probably escalated, which also increases the difficulty of trying to do this work with additional bonds within the existing 62.31 Cent debt service levy.

After taking into consideration the Series 2016 Refunding, the Missouri State Auditor’s Form C Debt Service Computation provided a recommended debt service levy of about 75.54 Cents per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation. The legal general obligation bonding capacity of the Dexter R-XI School District is approximately $21,647,154 for the April 3, 2018 election. To be able to amortize another $21,000,000 of bonds, the necessary debt service fund levy is anticipated to be 95 Cents, an increase of $62.11 per year for a taxpayer with a $100,000 fair market value home. L.J. Hart & Company presented another example for a financing of $10,000,000 general obligation bond issue that can be managed with a 69.52 Cent debt service fund levy ($9.50 of additional expense for a taxpayer with a $100,000 fair market value home).

The Board of Education decided to seek a quick estimate of the total priority needs at the high school and other buildings in order to determine where to set the debt service fud levy at the August 16, 2017 tax rate hearing. With the District’s 2016-17 total levy of $3.4100, the Dexter R-XI School District ranks 27th out of 32 Districts that have similar enrollments (between 1,732 and 2,455) in the state of Missouri. Increasing the total levy by five cents to $3.4600, which represents the 2.21 Cent required decrease in the Incidental Fund and a 7.21 Cent increase in the debt service levy to 69.52 Cents would only move the District up to 26th out of the 32 Districts. If the District chooses to set the debt service levy at 95 Cents and grow the total levy to $3.7148, the Dexter R-XI School District would move to the 22nd spot. In any case, the District is going to remain below the average of about $3.99 for these 32 schools of similar enrollment.

After several questions were asked, the Board of Education directed Mr. Counts to prepare the hearing notice for the August 16, 2017 tax rate hearing of $2.7648 in the operating fund and to move the debt service fund levy to 69.52 Cents per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation. If we meet with any noticeable resistance from the community at the tax rate hearing, we can listen carefully to it and change our decision. Since it is part of our financial planning and represents good stewardship by the Board of Education, I expect most of our citizens are going to remain supportive,” Mr. Williams stated.

The board members expressed appreciation to Mr. Counts and L.J. Hart & Company for the comprehensive report. “It is important that we establish our facilities priorities soon and adjusting the debt service fund levy in a way to prepare and involve the patrons as we jointly develop our future financing and building plans,” Mr. Williams concluded.

Last Updated on August 14th 2017 by Dee Loflin

https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v84u/Dexter-School-Board-Issues-Press-Release-on-Facility-Needs

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Early Childhood Screening Set for August 23, 2017

August 11th 2017 by Dee Loflin

Dexter, Missouri - Dexter Public Schools is offering a FREE Early Childhood Screening to all children ages 2 1/2 to 4 years of age who reside in the Dexter R-XI School District.

The screening will be held in the preschool classroom housed in the Kindergarten wing of Southwest Elementary and will be conducted by Southwest Elementary Early Childhood andParents as Teachers educators. Child Development, Vision, and Hearing will be included in the screening and an educator will be available to discuss your child's achievements.

The screening will take about 30 - 45 minutes to complete. Hours of the screening are 8:00 a.m. - Noon.

Please call the Parents as Teachers office to set up your appointment at (573) 614-1004, Ext 1213 or Ext 1214.

This is a FREE service by the Dexter Public Schools.

Last Updated on August 11th 2017 by Dee Loflin

https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v83j/Early-Childhood-Screening-Set-for-August-23-2017

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T.S. Hill Middle School Weekly Calendar of Events

August 10th 2017 by Dee Loflin

Dexter T.S. Hill Middle School - This listing of T.S. Hill Middle School activities is a service offered by the ShowMe Times, working in partnership with C.A. Counts, Superintendent, Scott Kruse, Middle School Principal and the Dexter Public Schools for your convenience.

We hope you will mark your calendar and we encourage everyone to support our local students and their activities. The education and growth of young people in our community is the key to everyone's future!

If you would like to submit information and a picture of a student and his/her accomplishments, send it to dloflin@showmetimes.com or call (573) 380-3318.

Calendar

Thursday Aug 10 First Day of School (Half Day)

Friday Aug 11 Class Meetings 6th/2nd Hr, 7th/5th Hr, 8th/6th Hr

Future Dates

Tuesday Aug 15 Send Home Back To School Dance Info

Parent/Teacher Social 5:30-7:00

Wednesday Aug 16 1st Quarter Headed to the Top Contracts go home

Thursday Aug 17 Back to School Dance 6:00-8:00 80’s ROCK Theme

Friday Aug 18 HTTOP Contracts Due

Monday Aug 21 PLUS Begins 7:30AM and 3:07PM

Friday Aug 25 Technology Cleaning in Classrooms

Monday Sept 4 NO School-Labor Day

Tuesday Sept 5 Football vs. NMCC (7/8) 4:00

Thursday Sept 7 FB vs. Malden (7/8) 5:00

Monday Sept 11 8th Hour Grade Check

Tuesday Sept 12 Football vs East Prairie (7) 5:00

Wednesday Sept 13 Mid Quarters Go Home

Monday Sept 18 FB @ Caruthersville 5:00/3:00

Tuesday Sept 19 Hearing/Vision Screening

Stoddard County Parade

Thursday Sept 21 Football vs. Doniphan (7/8) 5:00

Thursday Sept 28 FBall vs. Kennett 7/8 5:00

Last Updated on August 10th 2017 by Dee Loflin

https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v845/TS-Hill-Middle-School-Weekly-Calendar-of-Events

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DHS Freshman Orientation and Ice Cream Social

August 06th 2017 by Dee Loflin

Dexter, Missouri - Dexter High School Freshman Orientation will be held on Wednesday, August 9th from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. in the high school gym.

The Dexter Student Council will also host an Ice Cream Social for the new freshmen.

"This is a new opportunity for the incoming freshman class and we are very excited," commented Tiffany Wiggins, STUCCO Advisor.

Parents are encouraged to attend as well. Principals, Counselors, and Athletic/Activities Director will be available to answer questions.

Students are encouraged to bring their school supplies as they may put them in their new lockers and be ready for their first day of classes!!!

Last Updated on August 06th 2017 by Dee Loflin

https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v832/DHS-Freshman-Orientation-and-Ice-Cream-Social

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Dexter High School Weekly Activities - August 10th - 18th

August 06th 2017 by Dee Loflin

Dexter High School - This listing of weekly activities is a service offered by the ShowMe Times, working in partnership with Dexter High School principal, Alana Dowdy, and DHS Asst. Principal Melissa Hahn for your convenience.

We hope you will mark your calendar and we encourage everyone to support our local students and their activities. The education and growth of young people in our community is the key to everyone's future!

If you would like to submit information and a picture of a student and his/her accomplishments, send it to news@showmetimes.com.

DHS Weekly Activities for Thursday, August 10, 2017 - August 18, 2017 with some upcoming dates as well.

Thursday, August 10

First Day of School-Students Dismissed at 12:00 pm

STUCO - Bearcat Block Party 6 - 8 pm - DHS Parking Lot

CCE Parent Meeting 6:30-7:30 pm in Mrs. Crowley’s Classroom

Friday, August 11

First Full Day of School

Choir Fundraiser begins (selling “My Daddy’s Cheesecake”)

Varsity Football Jamboree - 6:00 pm at Kennett High School - Bus leaves at 4:15 pm

Monday, August 14

Choir Fundraiser continues (selling “My Daddy’s Cheesecake”)

Robotics Club is collecting manual can openers through the month of August for the Backpack Program

Tuesday, August 15

Choir Fundraiser continues (selling “My Daddy’s Cheesecake”)

Drama, Speech and Debate Meeting at 3:15 pm in Mr. Bennett’s classroom

Wednesday, August 16

Choir Fundraiser continues (selling “My Daddy’s Cheesecake”)

Sikeston Career & Technology Center classes begin

Robotics Club Meeting - 3:15 pm in Mrs. Rodger’s Classroom

Thursday, August 17

Choir Fundraiser continues (selling “My Daddy’s Cheesecake”)

Friday, August 18

Choir Fundraiser (last day) (selling “My Daddy’s Cheesecake”)

Varsity Football vs. Ste. Genevieve - 7:00 pm (home)

Upcoming Events

August 21st

Girls Tennis JV/V vs. Sikeston at Dexter, 4:00 pm

Volleyball JV/V @ Arcadia Valley , 6:00 pm. Bus leaves at 3:30 pm

Football JV vs. Malden at Dexter, 6:00 pm

August 22nd

Girls Tennis JV/V @ Charleston, 4:00 pm. Bus TBD

August 23rd

FBLA Meeting - 7:15 am and 3:10 pm in Mrs. Guy’s room

FBLA Fundraiser begins - Krispy Kreme Doughnut Sales

Robotics Club Meeting - 3:15 pm in Mrs. Rodger’s Classroom

August 24th

FBLA Fundraiser continues - Krispy Kreme Doughnut Sales

Girls Tennis JV/V @ Cape Central, 4:00 pm . Bus TBD

Volleyball JV/V vs. Jackson at Dexter, 6:00 pm

August 25th

FBLA Fundraiser continues - Krispy Kreme Doughnut Sales

BETA Club Dues are due

Football, Varsity @ Poplar Bluff, 7:00 pm. Player bus leaves at 4:30, Cheerleader bus leaves at 5:45

Last Updated on August 06th 2017 by Dee Loflin

https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v82l/Dexter-High-School-Weekly-Activities--August-10th--18th

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