R-3
says five-year plan may require tax increase
by Kim
Fickett
Landmark reporter
A presentation on Vision 2007—the Platte County
R-3 School District's master plan for the next five years—was
a highlight of Thursday's school board meeting.
The Vision 2007 Strategic Plan analyzes three areas including:
student achievement/curriculum/technology, student programs/student
services/district operations, and facilities/finance/community
relations/long-range planning.
According to Ron Harmon, assistant superintendent who
made the presentation to the board, school board members
were very receptive and supportive of the Vision 2007
presentation.
"Vision 2007 is a strategic plan and still an evolving
process," said Harmon. "We received overwhelming
support from the board regarding our objectives. But the
strategies stated underneath each objective are still
being developed and undergoing fine tuning."
School officials have said implementing the five-year
plan may require a future increase in the district's tax
levy.
Student Achievement objectives state 1) Students will
be held accountable for performance on standardized tests
and/or classroom work. 2) The district will strive to
achieve a drop out rate of two percent or less throughout
the planning cycle. 3) The district will reduce the number
of students scoring at the Step 1 or Progressing levels
in all subject areas on the MAP test. 4) The district
will continue to offer competitive salary and benefits
to attract and retain quality teachers.
Curriculum objectives include 1) Examine curriculum,
instructional techniques, and class sizes to insure foundational
concepts are in place to support and enhance individual
learning within the basic skills and traditional content
as cited in the Show Me Standards. 2) Explore the expansion
of fine arts and elective/enrichment offering in grades
K-12.
Technology objectives state 1) Increase personnel to
support technology in the areas of training and maintenance.
2) Increase access to technology through curriculum, Internet
access and hardware.
Student Services/Programs/District Operations objectives
are 1) The district will improve opportunities for all
students with emphasis on At-Risk and Exceptional students.
2) The district will upgrade the safety and security of
students/staff. 3) The district will improve the efficiency
of district operations.
Facilities/Finance/Community Relations objectives state
1) Renovation/Expansion of existing facilities. 2) New
facilities to meet future enrollment needs. 3) Provide
financial resources to support a "model" school
district. 4) Continue to improve school/community relations
by establishing cohesive strategies that will facilitate
school/community partnerships and collaborative efforts
that will improve the quality of life for the school and
community.
Long term objectives include 1) Evaluate the need for
a new high school. 2) Continue land acquisition.
Harmon stated, "Vision 2007 is contingent on our
growth over the next five years, if it is going to represent
what we are expecting and the finances of the entire process.
The whole plan depends on the finances."
The board of education also approved the addition of
a backstop to the softball/baseball field project. Board
members voted to accept the recommended bid of $5,200
from Guier Fence Company Incorporated.
Board members also heard a recommendation to purchase
four new buses. Gregg McPherson, assistant superintendent,
recommended trading in the district's two oldest models
and replace them with three 2003 model 78 transit buses
and one bus equipped a wheel chair lift and tie downs.
"This will allow us to increase our fleet size from
21 to 23 buses and add an additional route for next year,"
said McPherson.
The board approved the purchase of the four Thomas buses
from Midwest Bus Sales for a cost of $239,886, after trade-in.
The buses will be financed in a five-year lease purchase
agreement.
Julie Bogart of the Platte City Schools Parent Teacher
Association presented the board with a $500 check in recognition
of "Salute to School" month.
The board awarded a $1,000 Belcher Scholarship to senior
Devon Paul for an essay contest sponsored by the Missouri
School Boards Association.
Resignations were accepted from Jolene Palmer, paraprofessional,
and Stephen Reiff, bus driver/substitute teacher.
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