Bernie, Missouri - Bernie Elementary Positive Office Referrals were awarded this week.  These students were rewarded for their good behavior!

Students who earn such an honor also received a Subway Sandwich Gift Card and a POR Certificate.

These students were referred for displaying positive behavior!

Front Row:

Faith (3rd) always follows the rules during math class, and she was super helpful to her teacher.

Gage (2nd) comforted a friend who was upset.

Brooks (2nd) helped a friend tie their shoe.

Maddox (1st) helped clean up the room, even though he didn't make the mess.

Mikinley (2nd) has wonderful manners.

Back Row:

Spencer, Lane, Ethan, and Leightin (6th) were all a huge help with bringing in and organizing the food delivery last week.

Ashlynn (5th) & Tammy (6th) were top in their Computer Literacy class.

Tatum (6th) followed school safety instructions.

Ryleigh (5th) was top in her Computer Literacy class.

Not Pictured:

Creed (5th) was a great student for the sub.

Athena (2nd) was a huge help in the library.

Cape Girardeau, MO - The Dexter High School chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) attended the District Leadership Conference on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. Students competed in a variety of events from computer skills tests to case studies/presentations and interviews to online exams.

Several Dexter High School students placed.   

Rachel Lin - 1st in Intro to Business Communications 

Shelby Dawson and Maddie Glaus - 1st in Website Design

Emily Northern - 2nd in Computer Applications

Austin Guy - 2nd in Business Calculations

Emily Metz - 2nd in Intro to FBLA

Hannah Guy - 2nd in Intro to Business Presentation

Maddie Glaus - 3rd in Intro to Financial Math

Alyssa Frizzell and Rachel Lin - 3rd in Marketing

Kolby Musgrave - 4th in Business Communication

Keller Hatton - 4th in Business Law

Jayden Bilderback, Miranda Norman and Kaylee Schaefer - 5th in Graphic Design

Alex Townsend - 5th in Insurance and Risk Management

Picture front row left to right Miranda Norman, Jayden Bilderback, Kaylee Schaefer, Rachel Lin, and Alyssa Frizzell.

Back row are Emily Northern, Austin Guy, Kolby Musgrave, Alex Townsend, Maddie Glaus, Shelby Dawson, and Hannah Guy.

Dexter, MO - Southwest Elementary will begin taking Pre-K screening appointments for the 2020-2021 school year on February 3rd. This screening will be held on Friday, March 6th from 8:30-2:00 pm in the Southwest gym.

Children must be 4 years of age before July 31st, 2020 and plan to start kindergarten during the 2021-2022 school year to be eligible to attend the upcoming school year. 

Please call the Southwest Office at 614-1015 ext. 1201 to schedule this very important appointment. 

The following mandatory documentation must be provided at the time of screening in order for your child to be enrolled: 

Birth certificate, shot record (does not have to be up to date) and proof of residency.

The proof of residency MUST be a financial obligation to the address- ex:  Utility bill, water bill, tax statement, mortgage statement, etc.

The LAST day for making this appointment will be Friday, February 21, 2020.

Puxico, MO - Superintendent of Puxico R-VIII School District, Cindy Crabb, released the following information.

"We are reviewing the first round of our survey results and visiting with our community members," commented Crabb. "Several good points and questions have been shared. Here are a few answers to the most frequently asked questions."

1. What is our current local tax rate?

We have tax monies going into two separate funds for the Puxico R-8 School District. Our current tax rate is $2.75 for the general or operating fund (also known as fund 1). The current tax levy for our debt service fund (also know as fund 3) is $ .79.

2. Where does our school get funding from?

There are 4 primary sources: Local, County, State, and Federal.

We receive about 35% of our total revenues from the local tax source (this amount includes monies from both of our tax levies mentioned in question #1, local city sales tax, etc.). Miscellaneous taxes from state assessed railroad and utilities, fines, escheats, etc. come from a source called the county tax and this amount accounts for about 4% of our revenues. We receive about 51% of our total revenues from the State of Missouri and state budget allowances. The final revenue source is our federal revenues. Our federal funds are required to be utilized for certain programs and grants. These revenues account for about 10% of our total budget.

3. How is the Fund 1, the operating fund, used?

This fund pays for a portion of all operating expenses throughout the year. These funds pay for everything that a child comes into contact with (and more) in each school day. Utilities, staff salaries, transportation, textbooks, classroom materials, etc., are all paid from these monies. Out of our local revenue mentioned above in question #2, 78% of the 35% goes to this fund. The remainder (22%) of the 35% goes to the debt service fund.

4. For what purpose can the debt service funds be used?

This amount is only used to pay off the bond issue for the high school building project. This amount was approved by a ballot and went into effect in the 2006-2007 school year. This tax levy could expire in 2024.

5. Does the school board plan to raise my taxes without a ballot issue or voter approval?

The board has the legal authority to adjust the debt service rate, but this has never occurred since the existing bond issue was passed in for the high school. However, they do not have the authority to extend the bond issue without approval from the voters.

6. Why are we talking about another project before the bond issue is finished with the high school project from 2006?

We have some significant decisions to make about the maintenance and upkeep of the elementary building. The reason we are discussing it now, is because the construction of the elementary school began in the mid-1950s. We need the community’s help in deciding if we want to invest in the current structure, or if it is time to look at a building project and incorporate solutions to other concerns (safety, accessibility, etc.) that have been identified by the staff, students, and community members as well. IF the voters decide a new school is more feasible or desirable, it can be a lengthy process. The sooner we can get started on it, the more planning that can go into it. The reason it can be discussed now- the high school, in thanks to good decisions on the part of the school board, is going to be paid off early with a huge savings to taxpayers.

7. What is the process going forward concerning the facility planning phase for our district?

A committee will review the survey results and determine some options for our facility plan. We expect the primary focus to be the safety, security, and upkeep of the elementary, but there are other points of interest that have been identified. We will work with a performance contracting group to provide options and estimated costs to our community on identified projects. More community surveys will be conducted. Informational meetings will be scheduled. Final options will be narrowed down, and again more input will be gathered. Depending on the identified projects and costs, it will then be decided if a bond issue should be on an election ballot.

8. Does the school board and school district plan to have a ballot issue in during the April election?

In a simple answer - No. There is absolutely no intention of placing the bond issue on the April ballot. The school district and school board are both committed to gathering information and getting a clear direction from the community on how the district should proceed, and there is no way this could be accomplished by that time. The earliest possible option for a ballot to be presented to voters would be in August 2020.

9. When will there be a ballot issue?

If the community supports a project that requires a ballot issue, it could appear on a ballot in August 2020. If more work and development on the plan is needed, and a ballot issue is desired by the community, it can appear anytime after that.

10. I have heard a lot about raising the debt service tax levy, why are they discussing it?

As school districts work with financial planners and advisors, they discuss possible opportunities for upcoming facility planning. It is their job to advise districts and school boards of opportunities that will be coming up in the next few years so they can plan accordingly. As you may have noticed, in our local area school districts, every 5-10 years there is a major project going on. A school district cannot rebuild itself in its entirety at one time. Therefore, having a viable facility plan is crucial. Identifying projects, funding sources, and timelines help with this process. Our district, its school board, and its community members are nearing a phase that allows for an opportunity to look at possible projects to improve our facilities. Thinking about long-range planning and how we keep up is essential. The amount of the needed tax levy will depend on the decision of the size of any project.

11. Can you compare the high school building project with what it would take for a complete elementary replacement project?

The new high school building opened in 2008, and was primarily designed, for 220-240 high school students. It contains 11 classrooms, 2 computer/technology classrooms, 2 science classrooms (with labs), an art room, FACS classroom, a computer lab, 4 student bathrooms, building offices, a workroom, and small tech office. The agricultural classroom/shop, gym, band room, and alternative education facilities are not directly attached to the main high school building.

The current elementary provides educational services to 380-400 students. It contains 22 classrooms, nurse’s office, space for Speech/OT/PT, music classroom, P.E. facility, art classroom, computer lab, 4 intervention classrooms (title services), restrooms, playgrounds, and offices. Additionally, it has been suggested to incorporate a permanent preschool space in the long-range plan.

Bloomfield RXIV School District - This listing of weekly activities is a service offered by the ShowMe Times, working in partnership with Bloomfield School Superintendent Toni Hill.

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  Thank you!

Calendar

Monday, February 3

Jr Beta Pop Socket Fundraiser

6:00pm HS Girls BB vs Puxico

6:00pm 5/6th Girls BB @ Advance

Tuesday, February 4

Jr Beta Pop Socket Fundraiser

District Wide Book Fair

3:30pm FFA Area Officers Interviews/State Degree Selection @ Jackson

6:00pm HS Boys BB @ Bell City

6:00pm HS Girls BB @ Oak Ridge

6:00pm 5/6th Boys BB vs Bernie

Wednesday, February 5 

Jr Beta Pop Socket Fundraiser

District Wide Book Fair

FBLA Districts @ SEMO

Thursday, February 6

Jr Beta Pop Socket Fundraiser

District Wide Book Fair

4:00pm Speech @ Sikeston

6:00pm HS Boys BB vs Holcomb

6:00pm 5/6th Boys BB @ Fisk

Friday, February 7

Jr Beta Pop Socket Fundraiser

District Wide Book Fair

6:00pm HS Boys BB @ Puxico

6:00pm HS Girls BB vs Twin Rivers JV

Saturday, February 8

Jr Beta Pop Socket Fundraiser

5/6th Boys BB SCAA Trny @ Bell City

Scholar Bowl Bloomfield Round Robin Trny