Leonard at Large

Are we at the crossroads?

A decision will soon be made by the voters in the Nevada R-5 School District, which has been described as "being at the crossroads." The school board has placed a proposed increase in the local tax levy on the ballot to be voted on Tuesday, Aug. 3 -- which is now less then two weeks away.

Our current levy is $3.31 and the $0.39 proposed increase will up it to $3.70 per hundred assessed valuation. When it comes to paying taxes it is of no comfort, but even with this proposal, it is much less than many other districts, still giving taxpayers a bargain for the education of the students in the district.

It is not easy to go into the tax collectors to pay property taxes -- a major portion going to the schools. An increase will make the payment even more difficult.

Those voting will need to take into consideration the possible benefit.

At the present time Nevada has one of the highest quality schools in the state. The students are meeting high standards. It speaks well for the entire community, making this a good community to live in and to send kids to school.

Perhaps one of the best things going for us is that the school is "Accredited with Distinction for High Standards." Only a small percentage of the schools meet this high standard. The school has had this distinction for four years. This has happened because resources are being spent for small class sizes, quality professional training of our teachers, new teaching materials and strategies, and the ability to hire great new teachers. Only 24 schools in the state have this accreditation. It is important that the accreditation be continued if at all possible and it is difficult to maintain such standards.

This could be an important reason to reach deeper in the pockets if that is what it takes to maintain this standard.

It has been said that the state has not supported the schools as is needed.

If the school is going to get the funds that are needed it is going to depend on local funding.

Perhaps we should be asking whether the support should come from the local community rather than through state or federal funding. To maintain the local control, local funding must be the largest proportion. The local community knows the needs of our kids better than higher levels of government.

An idea of what it will cost the tax payer for the 39-cent levy is $37 on a $50,000 residence. It is estimated that the 39-cent levy will produce $500,000 locally and $900,000 from the state. More than 80 other school districts, including Webb City, Carthage, and Bolivar passed levy increases this past spring.

The successes of these levies will cost the Nevada district approximately $450,000 in state funding.

A fellow wondered the other day how the state funds can be increased when the district raises additional local funds. It has to do with the state formula that has outlived its time. Even the author of the formula says that it was not meant to continue this long. Governor Bob Holden did not place any effort toward getting the formula changed. As it stands, the richer gets richer and the poor gets poorer. The formula has got to be changed, but in the meantime, we have to live with it.

The budget for the District's 2004-'05 budget has more estimated expenses than estimated income. That means dipping into the surplus. That is not good, but the board made the decision to do that this year. It cannot be continued. Last year the district cut $800,000 from the budget resulting in the loss of 35 positions. The major portion of the budget is for personnel. Further cuts can only result in affecting programs.

According to a brochure published by the "Our Schools -- It's Up to Us Committee," the proposed levy would allow the district to keep small classes in elementary grades and to keep from reducing teaching positions at the middle and high schools.

Other goals are to:

* Keep our academic expenditures and focus on the basics: reading, writing and math.

* Keep our gifted and talented programs available to K-12 students. Keep our "showcase" high school programs like speech and debate, band and vocal music functioning at their current levels. Continue to upgrade our technology in our classrooms.

* Maintain our school library collections as current and relevant.

* Keep our district competitive with conference and regional schools for hiring the best teachers.

There is a "sunset" provision to the proposed levy. This means that the tax would automatically end after 2009 and could only be extended by a vote of the people. As usual, absentee voting is possible at the Courthouse. The brochure also discusses what might happen without community help in the form of a tax increase:

* The district will not be able to afford the teaching positions currently held.

* Class sizes will eventually increase from the 20 to 1 student/teacher ratio to 30 to 1.

* The district's Accreditation with Distinction in Performance will likely be lost. The district will be forced to review programs and activities that might be eliminated. Fewer new buses will be purchased to keep the fleet safe and updated. Further reductions in counseling, nursing and social services in all schools. Needed replacement computers and network electronics will not be made.

* Buildings and grounds will not be as well-maintained due to cuts in workforce. And, the District may spend as much as $1.3 million in the red this year.

The kids in the lower grades are doing a good job of learning reading and math.

This is verified by outstanding test scores achieved by the students. On a personal note -- our grandchildren have benefited from the good quality of education they have received in kindergarten and the first grade.

If you have concerns or questions about the school or the levy, contact any of the board members or the superintendent's office.

One voter and property owner made a comment that might sum it up for many others, " I do not like it (the tax increase), but it has to be done."

Be sure to fulfill your citizenship responsibilities of voting your opinion on Aug. 3. Your vote will make a difference. It is a major decision that is faced concerning the school.

Perhaps we are at the crossroads.