On the Sept. 8 school board meeting

While watching the September 8th school board meeting, I was concerned about the special needs administrator asking for additional funding.  I love the idea of having the capacity to better serve these students. However, we have to remember who is paying for it and where we are located.  Rural Missouri may have a need, but we don't have the funding. I wonder if there has been any thought of partnering with other rural Missouri schools in the area to create a combined program so these students don't have to go all the way to Rolla.  While I acknowledge I don't have all the information (I only have what was presented at the school board meeting), I can't help feel that there are other solutions that will better serve the community and provide for these students without further hurting our already struggling budget.

 

Additionally, after serving two years on the Sargent Township Roads board, the Texas County commissioner does not help the townships get these township roads fixed, and he is rarely reachable.  We have tried for at least 6 years to get them to help replace the low water bridge on Timberline Road.  Sargent township is the poorest township in the county, with the least amount of residents, and the most miles of road to maintain.  We can't afford newer equipment or full time staff with our very limited resources.  Our budget is based on our tax revenue.  Unless we drastically raise local township taxes, we will be unable to have the equipment required to keep up with some of these roads.  I know from when I was on the board, bus routes were given priority.  Fuel costs were taking about one-third to one-half of our monthly budget, not to mention if we needed to order rock.    

 

Rachel Minton, Willow Springs