Bob Foos
Following a required public hearing, the Webb City R-7 School Board on Tuesday voted to keep the tax levy as it is.
Of the district’s $3.43 total levy per $100 assessed valuation, $2.75 is for operations, and $0.68 is to service debt.
Superintendent Brenten Byrd invited board members to attend the annual kickoff event for all administrators, teachers and staff at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, at the Barton Performing Arts Center.
Monday, Aug. 24, will be the first day of classes for students. That is two weeks before Labor Day on Sept. 7. Missouri law does not allow school to start prior to two weeks before Labor Day.
Here’s the link to the new 2026-2027 school calendar on the district website.
Some retirees aren’t staying away very long. The board approved the critical-need hiring of Kim Brookshire, Nancy Russow and Sondra Ogle.
Waivers for long-term substitutes were approved for Fonda Crouch, Shauna Friend, Darin Hostetter, Haven Pettit and Tracy Metcalf.
Also approved were three in-district transfers. Math teacher Ashlea Bell will be moving from the junior high to the high school. Dean Derryberry will be teaching high school business instead of industrial technology. And industrial arts teacher Caleb Patrick will be moving from the junior high to the high school.
Two late resignation letters were accepted. Cathy West is leaving her high school Spanish teaching position after 11 years with the district. And Brent Worley stated that he regrets quitting before getting started as a special education teacher, but since being hired by Webb City, he’s been offered a college basketball coaching position.
Five new teachers were hired:
– Lexa Quesenberry, third grade at Mark Twain Elementary.
– Mikayla Brooks, junior high math.
– Alice “Reagan” Morgan, junior high business exploration.
– Toni Dennis, middle school special education.
– Clary Wright, high school Spanish.
Allison Pope, associate superintendent for instructional services, gave board members a preview of test scores and how Webb City ranked among other members of the Central Ozark Conference.
Josh Flora, assistant superintendent for business operations, received approval to have stormwater drained away from the gym/tornado shelter at Madge T. James Kindergarten Center at a cost not to exceed $25,000.
He also reported that the district is not raising meal prices this year.
There was discussion about the appropriate location for a new water tower that the city is planning to add to its system. A water study has concluded the best place for a new water tower is in the vicinity of the high school.
