SHELBY COUNTY R-lV SCHOOL BOARD AGAINST REDISTRICTING - PASSES RESOLUTION

(Shelbina, Missouri) Yesterday evening (May 9th) at approximately seven in the evening, the Shelby County R-lV School Board called their monthly meeting to order. Besides their regular business of hearing administration reports, talking about the budget, and any other business that needed to be taken care of, within the agenda, was a proposed resolution, titled "Resolution Cardinals Kids." In whole, the resolution was recognizing and highlighting some of the negative impacts that redistricting could have on the school district, if passed by the voters in the Shelby County R-lV School District and the Macon County R-1 School District - in the August Election. Shortly after Board Member Dr. Jim Foster, read the resolution in it's entirety, the 15-20 citizens in attendance cheered.

Following, the floor opened up for discussion in which Board Member Nathaniel Schoonover asked/stated, "I do have a question. In the third to last paragraph, it's talking about the seven and a half million for twenty years. Everything is speculation as far as what that is going to do if redistricting does occur. Are we implying in here that it is going to follow or what are we implying there?"

School Board President Aaron Gaines responded with, "The voters approved of it (PROP KIDS) on April 3rd and the district with the current boundaries, took on a seven and a half million dollar debt-load. It doesn't talk about how the debt would be allocated in the case of redistricting. That's the way I read it."

Soon after Board Member Jarrell Foreman stepped in and stated, "I think the resolution takes a really bold stance on some topics that there's just so many unknowns with this issue, especially with the lease-purchase, the tax levy, the assets, the debt, I mean so much of this is subject to interpretation and litigation and I would like to see more legal counsel from each side and agree to what all of this means and have a few more solid facts. I see it as the only solid fact that we really have is that if this (redistricting) takes place, there's going to be a huge tax revenue loss to this district. A lot of emotional and financial implications. I am at the option of we present the facts as they come and see what some attorneys say. That's the advice I have received. Despite what people think or what people say because I have heard it all, I support the board's stance against redistricting and I am all for Shelby County R-lV, but I am not 100% sure that issuing a resolution and making bold stances on topics when we really don't have a lot of certainty on some of these issues, is a great idea. I am all for the board and their stance against redistricting, but maybe not supporting this resolution at this time. I am in the western part of the district and I'm right in the middle of this. Some patrons feel like this is in the best interest of the kids and some don't. My phone rings off the wall. It's a tough deal. Leave it to the first and last paragraph, leave out the middle, and I am all for it (resolution). Be patient and let the attorneys sort it out. You said you are meeting with them on June 1st Tim?"

In which Tim Maddex (Superintendent) responded with, "Yes, I am meeting with DESE, not attorneys."

Board Member Foreman then jumped back in and stated, "See what they have to say. Some of the stuff that Jarvis (Macon Superintendent) put out and our attorney says one thing and his attorney says another, so there for, before we take a bold stance on something, I kinda would like to know what the true facts are."

Board Member Scott Gough jumped in and stated, "We won't know those true facts until it's arbitrated though."

Board President Gaines then stated, "I don't think we are implying how the apportionment of assets or how the debt would be handled. We just said there will be implications with redistricting as to the apportionment of assets and indebtedness."

Board Member Foreman then stepped in and said, "Well take that part out. Why say it, if you we don't really know for sure?"

Board President Gaines then stated, "Because our patrons need to know that there are implications to redistricting."

Board Member Foreman stated, "Well with all due respect, I'm pretty sure that our patrons know that this is a big damn deal. I don't understand why we really need to go down this path. I am all for the board taking a stance, but tread lightly."

After the discussion there was a motion to approve the resolution (by Scott Gough) then Dr. Jim Foster second that motion. With Gough calling for a role call vote, the resolution passed by a 5-2 vote with Board Members Schoonover and Foreman voting "no" on adopting the resolution - Gough, Wood, Farrell, Foster, and Gaines all voted "yes" to approve the resolution. Both Schoonover and Foreman stated before voting that they are against redistricting but at this time, they don't feel like adopting a resolution is appropriate or "ethical" as Mr. Foreman stated - both members claiming that the lack of facts as their determining factor on voting "no" to adopting the resolution. Board Member Farrell stated, "I see both sides of the argument, but I'm still a yes (to adopting this resolution)."

The Board Meeting went about on typical business after the discussion and passing of the resolution.

The "Resolution Cardinals Kids" in it's entirety, is as follows:

"Whereas -- The Shelby County R-lV Board of Education recognizes the potential implications of redistricting and what those implications may mean for the future of The Shelby County R-lV School District students, educators, administrators, staff, and patrons currently as well as in the future.

Whereas -- Should redistricting occur, all students deemed non-district students by The Missouri State Department of Education will be dismissed on the date of determination from the Shelby County R-lV District. Those students, through their parents or legal guardians, will have the option to remain in the district by paying a minimum of $7,000.000 tuition and possible more depending on the rate set by the board of education during the year that redistricting would take place.

Whereas -- The Shelby County R-lV Board of Education recognizes the financial burden to the students and their families through tuition requirements should redistricting occur. The Board of Education recognizes the loss to students of positions in whatever extracurricular activities that they may be engaged in during their time in The Shelby County R-lV School District and that there is no guarantee that these positions will transfer to another school district to include class rank, organization offices held, scholastic performance and organization performance awards, potential financial aid via local scholarships for high school seniors and other possible positions held by students.

Whereas -- The Shelby County R-lV Board of Education recognizes the potential burden that exists should redistricting occur as to the potential complications that could result in the employment status of administrators, teachers and staff with regard to employment contracts within the Shelby County R-lV school district. It recognizes the priority given to tenured teachers to retain their employment while potentially displacing non-tenured teachers or those teachers lacking seniority. It is also recognized that non-tenured teachers going to another school district will lose time accrued toward their attainment of tenure.

Whereas -- The Shelby County R-lV Board of Education recognizes the direct loss of tax revenue should redistricting occur and the impact that tax loss would create. The Board of Education also recognizes the potential economic implications should redistricting occur in that all contracts of business would be sharply reviewed by The Board of Education and Administration.

Whereas -- The Shelby County R-lV Board of Education most importantly recognizes the devastating effects that redistricting would have to our students in the separation of our student body and the loss of friendship created by distance, the separation of students from their valued teachers, administrators and staff, and the hardship created that could potentially divide families, friends, and communities, It recognizes also the potential devastating effects on those students with special needs.

Whereas -- The Shelby County R-lV Board of Education recognizes the potential loss of those school board members in their positions should redistricting occur as they would no longer live in the school district that they serve.

Whereas -- The Shelby County R-lV Board of Education recognizes that if a portion of Shelby County R-lV is transferred to Macon County R-1 School District, the two districts will be required to apportion district assets and indebtedness. The currently Clarence Elementary building facilities would be apportioned to Macon County R-1 as it is part of the redistricting area based on an assessed value. This would require Macon County R-1 to have substantial available funds or even require its own tax levy to compensate Shelby County R-lV for the apportioned asset. Furthermore, on April 3rd, 2018 the voters within the existing boundaries of the district approved a $0.73 tax levy to repay the cost of a new South Shelby Elementary building, ultimately approving indebtedness in excess of $7.5 million over a 20- year period.

Whereas -- The Shelby County R-lV Board of Education recognizes the potential that exists for the strain of relations that could occur between the Shelby County R-lV School District and the Macon County R-1 School District should redistricting occur as well as that this could seriously harm relationships not only between the two school districts but also both Shelby and Macon Counties on various levels.

Be it resolves that The Shelby County R-lV Board of Education on May 9th, 2018 stands opposed to redistricting and supports The Shelby County R-lV School District and its South Shelby Cardinal Family with cardinal pride united together."

** Both Superintendent Maddex and Superintendent Jarvis have been reaching out to DESE to acquire exact information on redistricting. Both are set to possibly meet with State Officials in the Department of Education in the coming weeks**