Rich Hill Elementary

Don't forget... State testing begins Monday, April 22nd. Here is the schedule for MAP and EOC sessions for Elementary, Junior High, and High School students. This year, most testing sessions will take place across two or more days rather than being completed in one sitting. If you have any questions about your student's testing time, please contact the Elementary or High School Office. Please visit the link to view the schedule: https://www.richhill.k12.mo.us/o/jhhs/live-feed

We are hiring! Please visit the District Website to download an application. https://www.richhill.k12.mo.us/page/district If you have questions, please call 417-395-4191 or email: bschenker@richhill.k12.mo.us

The district is looking for student help again this summer. If you will be 16 and a junior, senior, or current graduate by May 20 and would like to be considered for a summer custodial position helping paint, clean, wax floors, etc., come by central office and get a support staff application or download it from the website. Qualifications will include passing grades, a good work ethic, no disciplinary action, and a cooperative attitude. Applications must be submitted by May 1. The work schedule will be Monday through Thursday, 10 hours a day. Prompt and regular work attendance is expected.

Rich Hill Elementary Parents, we need you to fill in this survey for Federal Programs. We receive about $200,000 per year in Title money for supplemental instruction in reading and math. This survey is a required part of providing Title services. Thank you for your feedback! https://forms.gle/cRTUS3ZY6PHHoTUM9

This is just a friendly reminder from the Rich Hill R-IV School District to go exercise your American privilege of being able to vote in public elections! Voters will decide which community members will serve on our local school board and whether to pass Prop KIDS. Thank you for supporting the Rich Hill R-IV School District with your participation.

Rich Hill needs parent feedback for its 2024 Culture and Climate Survey. Please click the link to complete the anonymous, 15 question survey by April 5: https://forms.gle/8e5Uzmm2U6nztvqHA

Prop KIDS FAQs 4 How much will Prop KIDS cost me after the bonds are paid off? ● The median home price in Bates County is $102,000. Assessed at 19% of market value, the $1.0086 per $100 of assessed value will cost this homeowner $195 per year. The $1.0086 levy generates $460,000 in revenue per year for the district which is about 10% of the total district budget.

What happens if Prop KIDS doesn’t pass? ● The district will pay off the existing, low-interest bonds around 3 years early. ● The district will lose over $460,000 in annual revenue. ● The district will have to consider asking voters for new debt to make needed improvements at a much higher interest rate.

What has been done to improve facilities w/ existing funds and grants? ●Old Gym renovations ●Upgrade security to digital cameras, 4 entrance video-phones ●2 hot water tanks ●Dome sound system ●Repair gym bleachers ●Add bus ●New greenhouse ●Upgrade 60 yr old class furniture. Repairs, cameras, sprinkler system@ FB field ●Weight room equipment ●Add daycare ●Replace copiers ●Sidewalk to Ag ●Water plasma cutter, drill press, auto garage doors to Ag building ●Add vent hoods to FACS ●Restriped parking ●Plot printer for Career Tech ●10 passenger Ford ●Renovated special ed & Title1 rooms ●Floor scrubber ●Replaced steam table in kitchen ●Student Success Center for academic help & in-school suspension

Why are we collecting more money than we need to make our bond payments? ● Assessed Values and the amount of assessed property has increased significantly resulting in more revenue being collected. A YES Vote lets us place this extra money in high interest savings for future facility improvements. A NO Vote lets us pay off very low interest bonds up to 3 years earlier.

What facility needs does the district currently have that Prop KIDS could help fund? ●Dome Roof replacement ●HVAC improvements ●Roof repair ●Remove damaged tile in the high school, repair the concrete underneath, place a vapor barrier on the surface to eliminate moisture collecting under the tile, and replace the top layer with tile or another industrial surface. ● Football field and track repairs including fence and bleachers ● Elementary Playground Equipment repairs and replacement ● Early Childhood classroom and daycare expansion ● New bus purchases ● A private bathroom and laundry facilities in the nurse's station for homeless and disadvantaged youth to utilize as necessary.

YES--The board can flex the "extra" debt service levy into capital projects at a higher interest rate to meet future facility needs while keeping the total levy the same at $4.4269 and generating more interest income. NO--The debt service levy will be used to pay off existing, low-interest bonds up to 3 years earlier than the current final payment in 2031. Then the levy drops to $3.4183 and the district will lose over $460,000 in annual revenue.

Rich Hill School Reminder-There is no school on Friday, March 29th & Monday, April 1st. Enjoy your long weekend!

Rich Hill School Reminder-There is no school on Friday, March 29th & Monday, April 1st. Enjoy your long weekend!

Why does the district need these funds to become part of operating revenue? ● Operating costs and minimum wage and salary continue to increase at a much faster pace than state and federal aid or local revenues. ● The interest rate the district is earning on reserves and cash flow is very high right now.

This link is to the latest district newsletter. It breaks down Prop KIDS and lists the candidates running for school board. https://sh1.sendinblue.com/vxxb4idtxpfe.html?t=1711559578

If your business would like to purchase a spot on the 2024-25 Rich Hill Athletic Calendar for $50, please download the form at https://5il.co/2hb13 and return it to Central Office with payment. Please make sure your business information is accurate and that you have provided the correct logo using the method selected on the form. All proceeds minus actual printing cost will go directly to student athletics.

JH Cheer Tryouts tonight from 4:15 to 5:00 in the dome for girls that have signed up and returned all paperwork to Mrs. Schenker.

Proposition KIDS Town Hall and Information Here's a sample of what just went out in the weekly District Newsletter. The link to sign up is at the end: The weather wasn't very cooperative last night, but we had a couple of community members who up to learn about Prop KIDS and then take a tour of the greenhouse which was paid for by a large grant and then district funds. A couple of years ago, the board refinanced our debt at a lower interest rate. This cut 3 years off of the life of the loan. Since then, both the assessment and amount of personal property in the district has increased bringing in more revenue than what our payments require. The board has two options: lower the tax rate or prepay the loans faster than scheduled. Proposition KIDS provides a 3rd alternative. If voters choose to approve Prop KIDS, the board can then flex the surplus revenue into operating funds to help with building and equipment repairs and maintenance before things reach a point where the board has to ask for more debt to be taken out. The money the board flexes into operating funds earns a much higher interest rate than what we are paying on our debt providing even more revenue for the district. If voters don't approve Prop KIDS, then the debt will be paid off around 2028 or so and then the $1.0086 levy will fall off. This will drop district revenues by about $460,000 per year...or about 10% of the district's annual budget. The district has leveraged millions of dollars in grant money and stretched our dollar as far as we can. Operating costs and minimum salaries continue to increase at a rapid rate while state funding has been flat for almost 10 years. From now until the election, I will continue to post more information about Prop KIDS so the public can make an informed decision before going to the polls on April 2. Sign up the newsletter here: https://d1fd8f10.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAEYVwXgu0UWCK4kKVaBOQK588II_v75zh7gTxe8MMii55iaZrpxnpt6kkbn66yeNkwGOJi1qAyeB33JrBdui1xmmJcV-A2ZUVVNvG3oUbxP_zlChNfCsWhzF0kQ-U9616q7GZcUUJy8CVp4R2EdLSnTeyKWsC8PmD6VS73zbacp1moXQV8aEXifHgz0311Kfei6vzJ1hSh9h

Reminder: Tomorrow morning, 3.6.2024, is the FREE physical day! Your student must have the completed and signed physical forms to be seen by the physician. The physicals are available for grades 5th-12th. If you are unsure if your student needs a physical, please call or email the HS office. 417-395-4191 tjblack@richhill.k12.mo.us