The Webb City R-7 School District practically doubled its reserve balance in a year – from $6 million to $12 million.

Correspondingly, Superintendent Tony Rossetti told School Board members Thursday, July 8, that the district’s operating reserve (amount of reserve above annual operating expense) increased roughly from 14% to 23%.

Of the $12 million, Rossetti confirmed that he will be transferring $1.9 million into the capital improvements fund. He had been authorized to do so by the board in June.

The board set annual tuition for students not living within the district boundaries at $8,300, based on a calculation by the state of how much is spent per-pupil in the district. Non-resident attendance is restricted to families owning property in the district. 

The board held its monthly meeting early because on the normal second-Tuesday Rossetti was in Washington, D.C., with a contingent of the American Association of School Administrators.

Rossetti is an AASA governor representing Missouri. He said the purpose of the trip is to convince members of Congress to continue and increase federal funding for such services as free breakfast and lunch programs and distance learning.

In other action, the board:

• Set the annual public levy hearing for 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10. The regular monthly board meeting will follow at 6:30 p.m. The board meets in the high school library conference room.
• Congratulated Lacy Haddock, a rising high school senior, for her past archery successes and for qualifying to compete next month in the National Archery in the Schools Program national tournament Aug. 5 – 6 at Seven Springs, Penn.
• Approved replacing the playground surface at Heritage Pre-School with turf at a cost of $72,000. Turf installations were previously approved for playgrounds at Carterville Elementary and the middle school. Turf is approved by the Americans with Disabilities Act and easier to replace worn areas than rubberized surfaces.
• Hired four teachers:

– Beverly Hayes, high school math. A retired elementary teacher, she will be hired under the critical-need provision and join the same department as her husband, Randall Hayes.

– Miranda Neal, fifth grade, middle school.

– Patricia Silva, high school Spanish.

– Michelle Gleason, behavior specialist.