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We appreciate your continued support

We appreciate your continued support

Written by Letters to the Editor

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

BY CHRIS LENAUER

President, R-2 Board of Education

Another year of school has begun and many changes have taken place in the Owensville school district. Our Assistant Superintendent Mark Leach has received an emergency certification to act as the Interim Superintendent for the 2008-2009 school year. The School Board has hired retired Superintendent Mark Leech of Hermann to assist our Mark Leach this school year in operating the district. The School Board has already contracted with MSBA (Missouri School Board Association) to begin a search to assist in hiring a new Superintendent for the 2009-2010 school year. MSBA will begin the search sometime in October with the intentions of hiring a new Superintendent prior to the Christmas break.

Everyone in the district should be aware of the slowing economy, higher gas prices and increasing costs. Because of a combination of factors in the economy, public schools will be receiving fewer dollars from the state, federal and local government to operate. Our School District will be faced with several financial challenges this school year with impending budget issues. The district needs a new bus barn built on our campus, along with many other needs to help educate our kids. Our patrons have done their part by financially supporting our district and we must be fiscally responsible and operate in a responsible manner. The R-2 School District is in good financial condition. Just like our personal finances we must live within our means in the school district.

The R-2 school district has many things to be thankful for including great facilities, a great teaching staff and first rate Administrators. I can say this because the State has recognized our district two years straight with Distinction in Performance, improved MAP scores and a teaching staff that is recognized in the district as a leader teaching with an emphasis on technology.

Over the 2008-2009 school year the Board of education will be working on several different options to build a bus barn that suits our district needs and reviewing our long range facility needs. The Board of Education will prioritize these needs based on our funds available and we will make a commitment to continuing to support technology.

The patrons, teachers and Administrators of the R-2 School District should be very proud of what they have built. This Fall will be a great time to get out and enjoy the many school events coming up on our campus and to fellowship with the community.

On behalf of the R-2 School District we appreciate your continued support.

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