Bob Foos
The day after the next Webb City R-7 Board of Education meeting, on Dec. 8, Superintendent Brenten Byrd says he will go to the Jasper County Courthouse to place a levy-increase proposal on the April 6 election ballot.
The amount of the suggested levy increase hasn’t been nailed down, but board members on Tuesday indicated they are definitely sure that a levy increase is necessary.
For the second month in a row, Byrd displayed various scenarios on a spreadsheet.
One scenario is with no changes – no increase in revenue at the local or state level. “If we do nothing, by 2030 we’re broke,” Byrd said.
The chance of increased state aid is bleak, especially because the Legislature is expected to be dealing with its own lack of revenue.
It seemed board members prefer asking voters for a $1 increase in the operating levy. That would bring it up from $2.75 (the state minimum) to $3.75.
Added with the debt service levy, the total levy would increase from $3.43 to $4.43.
Board member Jason Woodmansee said, “We’re just discussing it, but I don’t see any way less than that ($1 increase).”
Separately, Byrd said he will meet soon with architectural firms that have expressed interest in developing a plan to bring the third and fourth graders in Webb City together in the same building.
Currently, third graders are at Mark Twain Elementary, and fourth graders are at Eugene Field Elementary.
That project could be financed with a bond issue that wouldn’t require an increase in the current debt service levy.
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In other action:
• It was announced that the candidate filing period for two open seats on the board will begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, and end at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5.
The terms of board members Erin Taylor and Jason Woodmansee will end after the April 6 election.
• The board authorized the high school choir department to move ahead with plans for a trip to perform at Disney World during the 2028 spring break.
• Juniors who attended the Missouri Scholars Academy in Columbia in June told about their experiences and were commended by the board. They are Caleb Meinershagen, Brody Fox and Aurora Wishall.
• Also recognized were seniors Katelyn Cox and Allie Shuster for being selected as National Merit Commended Students.
• Letters of retirement were accepted from:
– Kerissa Baird, kindergarten teacher at Bess Truman Primary Center. Eighteen of her 27 years in education have been at Webb City.
– Kelly Woodring, Title I reading teacher and instructional coach at Harry S Truman Elementary School. Ten of her 30 years in education have been at Webb City.
– Terri Doman, instructional coach, is retiring after 25 years with the district.
