Kennett School Board sets 2003 tax levy

It took just under five minutes, Tuesday, August 19, for the Kennett school board to realize they would probably be further in debt after this year's tax season.

In its annual tax rate hearing, the board set the district's operation levy to its previous amount of $2.75 per $100 assessed valuation, but had to reset the debt service tax to 32 cents (0.3235) from the previous mark of 40 cents. These numbers would give Kennett approximately $40,000 extra from last year, but with the near-guarantee of a $600,000-plus cut to the district sent down by the governor, over $500,000 more from last year, the district will still come out well on the negative side.

Kennett's original operation tax levy ceiling, set forth by the citizens, is $2.2590 per $100 assessed valuation. However, the state gives the school district the right to have a minimum of $2.75 per $100 assessed valuation, and the desperate for funds Kennett school district, without discussion or opposition, once again decided to cash in on that amount.

Jim Callewaert, superintendent of Kennett schools, gave the information on the tax rate.

"The operation levy of $2.75 per $100 of assessed valuation will stay the same," said Callewaert, "But we will have to decrease the debt service to .3235 (32) cents from it's original mark of 40 cents. This will give approximately $40,000 more to the district, in the event that collectors collect 100 percent from the tax payers."

No visitors were present for the hearing.

In the regular session of the Kennett school board, more good news came from the area of construction. Assistant Superintendent Mike Hunter informed the board that the Walker Construction was four to five weeks ahead of schedule with the reconstruction of the Vocational Technical School building.

"As many can tell you, these guys are doing a great job," said Hunter, "They are four to five weeks ahead of time, and with the possibilities of bad weather, etc., it's always better to be ahead than behind."

Hunter also told the board that the pouring of asphalt on the parking lot and driveway of Masterson Elementary school would more than likely be completed next week. The assistant superintendent also commended the principals and aides for improving school bus runs.

"I want to really commend the principals and aides for improving the bus runs this year," said Hunter, "I think it is the best since I've been here."

Hunter also informed the board that a freezer and cooler was ordered for Masterson Elementary and would be functioning possibly by October.

In other board action, was the adoption of the recent update to Policy BBFA-Board Member Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure. This establishes and makes public the method of disclosing potential conflict of interest. The board is required statutorily to re-adopt the policy every other year.

Also, the board gave approval to the Maintenance and Transportation Department to solicit individual bids on a 1988 Chevrolet Bluebird 72 passenger bus, a 1972 Chevrolet panel van, and a 1979 GMC Sierra 15 pick-up truck.

The board also released a copy of Board Policy KL-AP on Public Complaints to the Daily Dunklin Democrat for print.

A revised and extended list of new personnel was also released. New certified personnel are as follows:

Sarah A. Coffer, who is set to fill the position of fifth grade teacher; Jan Colvin, who will teach second grade; James (Rick) Gore, who will fill the position of high school principal; Ronnie G. Jones, who will be the half-time assistant principal at Kennett High School and half-time activities director at Kennett High School; Phyllis Diane Medlock, who will teach fifth grade; Tara E. Pierce, who will teach fourth grade; and Sharron L. Willis, who will teach fourth grade.

The list of classified personnel are as follows:

Sandy Callewaert, Kindergarten aide; Mary C. Collins, EMH aide at Masterson Elementary; April M. Franks, Title I aide at South Elementary; Missy Harris, Registered Nurse at South Elementary; Pamela J. Knuth, Title I aide at South Elementary; Tracy M. Longino, Title I Remedial Reading at South Elementary; Joyce Mullenix, Title I aide at Masterson Elementary; and Donna Niemeier, Guidance Office secretary at Kennett Middle School.

The board also followed requirements set forth by the state to implement an accountability council committee to oversee expenditures. This committee was voted on and implemented at the Tuesday, August 12 work study session. The committees are as follows, at the middle school:

Sheila Cooper, Gerald Granger, Keith Grantham, Susan Luce, Jan Sanders, Thomas Scales, and Ella Watkins.

At the high school:

Charles T. Brown, Charles (Chuck) Earnest, Charlene Lockett, Mike Mowrer, Lisa Privett, Diane Thomason, and Mary Lynn Wright.

The board, in an extra open session, adopted revisions to the extra duty schedule, assigning Tony Parr to the in-school-suspension program, a one hour position during the seventh hour, and naming Loretta Potts the chairperson of the professional development committee, replacing Regina Vavak.

In executive session, the board gave approval to employ Johnny Darnell to a 11 month contract from a 10 month contract. Darnell is a member of the Maintenance Department.