CLARENCE CITIZENS HOLD MEETING ABOUT POSSIBLE SCHOOL REDISTRICTING

**It is important to realize that both school districts are working closely with DESE and have reached out to them for exact numbers and impacts that redistricting could have on either district. At this time, all figures and possible impacts are estimations. **

(Clarence, Missouri) Yesterday at approximately seven in the evening, Clarence citizens made their way into the Clarence Care Center for a meeting regarding possible school redistricting of the Macon R-1 School District and Shelby County R-lV School District. As of now, both petitions have been validated in each respective county, forcing the measure onto the August ballot where voters in both districts will cast their vote. The proposed "redistricting zone" is the western half of the Shelby County R-lV School District - we encourage anyone wanting to know specifics about exact line and land boundaries to reach out to the Macon or South Shelby Schools. Last night, Amy Harre and Emily Maddex led the meeting with small announcements about possible campaigning against redistricting, etc. It was made clear at the very beginning that when someone walks into South Shelby Middle School, High School, etc. that no one can tell which kids or students are from Clarence or Shelbina; "You cannot tell which kids are Clarence kids or Shelbina kids, they are all Cardinals. There is no bickering between the kids of each town at school, they all get along. It's the adults that can't seem to get along because of some feud that's been plaguing this county for years. That's extremely sad," stated Cardinal Kids United Treasurer, Amy Harre. Last night, those who came up with the idea of redistricting were invited to attend and explain why redistricting should occur. No one, out of six people that were asked, took up that invitation. Several citizens openly expressed their disappointment with those that proposed the idea of redistricting and pushing the petitions, for not showing up and answering questions and giving information to the citizens that could be impacted by this. Several Board Members were present including the Superintendent of Shelby County R-lV Schools, Tim Maddex. For the most part, the board members expressed the uncertainty of possible redistricting. They are working with DESE in getting figures of the possible losses or impacts that redistricting could have on the school district. Mr. Maddex and Board Members explained that staffing, certain course offerings, and other programs within the school district could be impacted by the loss of funds that redistricting would bring to the district. The newly approved tax in Shelby County which will bring the district a brand new Elementary School, due to the uncertainty of possible redistricting, the progression of moving toward the construction and completion of the building is all on hold. They (under the advisement of the Shelby County R-lV District School Attorney) also touched base on the possibility of Macon taking on a portion of their debt and the expense that Macon would owe the Shelby County School District for the Clarence Building, if redistricting were to occur - a panel of individuals picked by state officials, would decide the movement of liabilities and assets from one district to another if redistricting were to happen. During the meeting last night, signatures were presented on paper to Amy Harre of those in Clarence and the possible "redistricting zone" that are against redistricting. Since April 26th, they were able to collect approximately 250 signatures, again, of those in the Western/Clarence Area of the District that are against redistricting. The collection of signatures is not a legal document, just simply an effort as they stated, "to show that the actions of a few (those behind the idea of redistricting), don't represent or speak for the many voices in the area and in the entire district." In closing, Amy Harre presented me with a typed overview and message from their side of last nights meeting - the layout of the meeting was originally supposed to be a discussion between each side involved, but considering the absence of one side, the itinerary changed. The letter is as follows:

"We have something that is very heavy on our hearts in this community right now. Tensions are high because the uncertainty a few Clarence residents have put before us. Why are we putting our children and our families in our School District through this? This is a question many of us are asking. They call the “Committee Clarence Community Strong.” What do you think of when you see the name of their Committee?

A group of parents from our School District have formed a Committee, called “Cardinals KIDS United.” Our main goal is the children of our Shelby County RIV School District, and keeping all of them Cardinals. In the past month, we have been working hard trying to educate residents from the Western side of our school district to what redistricting means to our children and our community.

We have been collecting signatures hoping the opposition would pull the petition. The Shelby County R-IV School District and Macon County R1 School District will be responsible for paying this ballot issue in August. Estimated cost is $5,000-$7,000 for Shelby County R-IV. Currently we have approximately 250 signatures from the Western side of our district. We have had residents sign our petition who signed the other petition because they were misled or simply didn’t understand what they were signing.

This past Sunday, we held a meeting in Clarence. We felt it was a very successful meeting. We had parents, grandparents, and concerned citizens attend. We also extended an invite to our local school board members, in hopes that they could be our VOICE for our children and our School District. The three board members from the Western side of the District did not show. One member was not able to attend because of a previous conflict, this board member is 100% against redistricting. The other two members didn’t give a good explanation why they wouldn’t attend, or they didn’t respond at all. We also tried reaching out to the opposition to see if they would come and explain to us why they think this is a good idea. They all declined or didn’t respond.

Scott Gough and Aaron Gaines did attend, and they went over some highlights from the last school board meeting.

Some highlights: Shelby County R-IV School District could stand to lose approximately 2 million dollars in local, state and federal aid. This will be detrimental to the district. This means the school will have to make decisions on staffing, they would possibly have to cut course offerings, programs, look at what we could offer as sports, and many more things. If redistricting would occur, Macon County R1 would have to buy the Clarence School building and property around the building from Shelby County R-IV at fair market value. Macon County R1 would also would be responsible for a portion of any debt Shelby County R-IV has at this current time. Shelby County R-IV still owes a little over 1 million on the new Ag building, band/choir, and weightlifting upgrades done a couple years ago. What this might mean is Macon County R1, may have to raise their tax to pay Shelby County R-IV. The City of Clarence provides utilities out to the South Shelby campus. If Clarence would be redistricted, it would be hard for South Shelby patronize a town who is no longer in the school district. It was stated that the South Shelby campus pays between $25,000-$30,000 a year for gas to City of Clarence.

To our knowledge some families have mentioned they will move out of the Clarence area to still be able to attend South Shelby. What will this do to City of Clarence and Shelby County? Something to think about.

We are going to start collecting signatures from the Eastern side of the district, because this also affects their children. We can use these signatures in the arbitration if we get to that point. In closing we would like to ask all patrons of the Shelby County R-IV School District to get involved to help our KIDS stay CARDINALS and unite as ONE CARDINAL COMMUNITY.

We are in the planning stages of events and activities we would like to hold as fundraisers to promote the NO vote in the upcoming election.

Cardinal KIDS United

Amy Harre, Treasurer"