Voters in the North Mercer School District will decide, in April, whether to approve a Proposition C waiver. If approved by voters, Superintendent Dan Owens tells KTTN that his district would receive about $80,000 a year in additional local revenue. It would “lessen the district’s dependency” on the state and federal levels. A simple majority is required for passage.
Owens said there are currently 31 of the 518 school districts in Missouri that have not passed the waiver.
Prop C requires a property tax rollback based on sales tax revenue received from the state. If North Mercer voters eliminate the rollback, it would mean about $0.52 on the $100.00 of assessed valuation that would not be reduced.
The North Mercer District has been experiencing a declining levy in recent years. It is down $1.27 on the $100.00 during the past six years.
The health insurance premium for North Mercer employees is going up 5% for the year beginning December 1st. The increase is $22.49 a month, making the premium $472.25 per employee. The district pays 100% of health insurance costs. The North Mercer Board approved continuing with Arnold Insurance of Maryville as the agent.
The North Mercer Board approved the district paying the administrator serving as the sponsor for overnight school activities (such as trips). Currently, the organization or class pays those administrator expenses. Janice Persell has been hired as a secondary math teacher through the end of the current school year. She has been serving as a substitute teacher while the district advertised the position. Mrs. Persell is a retired teacher from the district. Her employment is through Missouri’s critical shortage program. The board has clarified its policy regarding resignation requests from certified staff to state the penalties are based on the date the letter is received and considered final only after payment is made.
The Board of Education, in August, approved penalties for leaving the district after signing a contract at $2,500 after July 1st, and $5,000 after August 1st, with increasing amounts of $1,000 per day after August 10th.
The North Mercer Board did not receive bids for snow removal, so the district will seek a contractor.
Graduation for the Class of 2017 at North Mercer will be May 7th at 2 o’clock in the afternoon.
