4 Kearney MO School District Members only - Feedback?

Last night the Kearney School board approved to move forward with a February vote to increase the school tax levy 56 cents per 100 dollars of assessed home value. (About $15 per month on a $200,000 home) This was brought to the board after a steering committee recommendation. The steering committee has been meeting since June and was made up of a couple of board members, the superintendant and a cross section of the Kearney community including parents such as myself, local business owners and retirees.

Now I’m about as conservative and anti-tax as they come but after hearing all the facts came to the conclusion this is necessary for our children and community. Kearney has long been known as an outstanding academic school system but over the last several years the declining property values has put our schools in a budgetary bind. Last year over a million dollars was reduced from the annual budget and some hard decisions had to be made thus increasing class size, reducing teaching staff, slashing necessary programs and not being able to fund technology classes as needed.

This will be a tough sell given the current economic conditions but is necessary if we want our community and children to succeed at the highest level.

Quick Facts:
Kearney has the lowest per child spending of any district in the area, including Excelsior Springs, Smithville and all Northland districts (Embarrassing)

Kearney has one of the lowest technology budgets and highest computer to skilled computer technician ratio in the Northland. (Embarrassing)

The class overcrowding has become so bad some classes are lacking the equipment needed for proper instruction. (Embarrassing)

Even if the levy passes we will be in the bottom four districts in per pupil spending and still one of the lowest tax rates in the Northland. So this is not asking for the moon but only the necessities.

We are not sure if the vote will be held at normal polling stations or by mail. A mail in voting ballot is being considered but it will most likely be the only issue on the ballot. Either way we will need as much support as possible to get this to pass. Please tell as many people as you can and become informed as possible about current and future school issues.

If you have any questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer them or email the Kearney School Superintendant Dr. Bill Nicely.

Thanks for the support

Don't know what it is about this community, Bill, but I've voted for every tax levy to benefit the schools since moving here 15 years ago, and they never seem to pass! I've heard those stats in the past, and as much as I don't like voting for tax increases or paying more myself, I certainly don't like seeing the kids get short changed. Given the demographics of the area, you'd think people would be more willing to invest in their kids' education, but....

Don't know...I think it just comes down to voter turnout? Don't know if a mail-in ballot will generate more votes, or less?

Thanks Joe for your support. Now where are all the other Kearney people, I know there are a lot on this forum.

Looking for ideas and people to help spread the word why this is needed in our community. We may organize some kind of grass roots campaign and would take as much help as possible. I think if just asked the questions would you vote for a tax increase the vast majority of people including myself would vote no. If a mail in ballot is used it would increase the voter turnout but not sure it would be positive unless people are informed. That’s why the public needs to hear the facts. Any suggestions???

We have had some pretty serious cuts in our schools in this area also the last two years. Cut the middle school sports which is one that effected our family personally. Luckly we have a community center through the parks and rec. that has most of the sports. But just not the same as playing in school for your school like it was when I grew up. Not good for the kids. Others as you spoke of such as many many teacher cuts which increases class size and even does away with some none core classes. My problem down here is that we just built a huge new high school this last year. Only our oldest daughter is in public school the others are in private school which cost us a lot of money each year but the Wife and I feel the education is worth it. So we will continue to send the two youngest there until they have to attend the public schools. So feel you pain down here also.

KEARNEY
Pursuing Excellence Today for Tomorrow
November 29, 2010

Good Morning:

I hope this email finds each of you rested from the Thanksgiving Holiday, having enjoyed some down time with family and friends. At last week’s regularly scheduled board meeting, the Kearney R-I Board of Education voted unanimously to place a 56 cent operating levy increase on the February 8th ballot for voter decision. By agreeing with the recommendation of the district steering committee, board members recognize that as a result of limited school funding, Kearney students are missing out on programs and services that will be necessary for their success in the 21st century workplace. To that end, funds generated from this levy will be used to improve programs and services for our students. Improvement categories include significantly enhancing K-12 technology and STEM related initiatives including Project Lead the Way, as well as improvements to Parents as Teachers, Library Media, Gifted, At-Risk and after school programs.

Considering the short timeframe before the February election, it is going to become absolutely critical that accurate information about the above mentioned planned improvements are provided to our district staff and patrons. One way this can be accomplished is via email. This is where you can help. The district will be collecting email addresses of individual patrons and organizations that would like to receive regular information about district plans for program improvements. These emails might include friends, family, parents, or coworkers who have a vested interest in the future of our district. As you collect these names and email addresses, please send them to: [email protected] so that they can be included in the information dissemination process.

Thank you so much for all you do for the children of our school district.

Regards,

Bill Nicely

You guys ever consider trying to pass a special purpose added 1 cent sales tax (that everybody, not just the homeowners, will pay) instead of constantly trying to pass a land tax (which apparently doesnt pass)? Just a thought...