Public meeting at Russellville to address 2 ballot issues

Replacement of climate control devices is one of the top priorities for the Russellville school district, which is seeking a continuation of a $2 million bond issue on the April 4 ballot.
Replacement of climate control devices is one of the top priorities for the Russellville school district, which is seeking a continuation of a $2 million bond issue on the April 4 ballot.

RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. - Russellville school district voters will find two separate issues on the April 4 ballot.

One is not tied to the other, a misconception several constituents have had.

Another misunderstanding is the measures would fund a new football program, which instead already has been taken care of by the 2010 initiative building the green space at the track and by a parent group privately raising the startup funds for uniforms and equipment.

A public meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the elementary cafeteria to explain what effect each issue would have on voters as well as what benefits each would provide to the district.

"We welcome good conversation and questions," said Superintendent Perry Gorrell.

Proposition CARE (Community Action Reinvesting in Education), a continuation of a $2 million bond, was approved by the school board in December. Taxpayers would not experience any increase in their taxes.

If this initiative does not pass, it will present a "greater financial burden to the district," Gorrell said.

This revenue would assist in facility upgrades and renovations.

At the top of the needs list is the district's climate-control system. Of the 114 units, 14 are in need of immediate replacement, which would cost at least $100,000.

Improving the elementary cafeteria was at the top of the list, until the recent survey completed by Timberlake Engineering, Columbia.

The district also needs to address some basic budget items that have been neglected in recent years, such as textbooks, he said.

And, based on the board's strategic plan developed from community surveys, the bond issue would allow the district to improve its teacher salary schedule, in the hopes of retaining quality teachers.

The second measure is a proposed 50-cent increase to the operating levy, approved by the school board at its January meeting.

"To continue to do things as we believe in is the importance of the operating levy," Gorrell said.

If approved, the levy increase would allow the board to set the levy at up to $3.76. But a 25-cent increase would be needed to balance the budget, fix the teacher salary schedule and cover essential resources.

Although it would cover the shortfalls, the 25-cent level would still require the district to make cuts, Gorrell said. At 40 cents, he believed they could do everything necessary and sustain themselves.

"This board has pledged not to build fund balances," Gorrell said. "There has to be a need to increase the levy."

The board also has identified plans if the April ballot initiatives do not pass.

For example, reducing a bus route would save about $30,000 but likely add about 15 minutes to each of the remaining routes, which already last about an hour.

The district also could reduce its Parents As Teachers program, which Gorrell says is a model program.

And it could convert its preschool program from open enrollment to Title 1, meaning only students identified with high needs would be eligible.