‘Financially healthy’ school district raises tax levy

At the district annual tax rate levy hearing, the West Plains R-VII school board unanimously voted to increase the tax levy from $3.6883 to $3.7301, an increase of $0.0418. According to a five-year comparison prepared by Superintendent Dr. Wes Davis, the 2026-2027 rate is lower than the five-year-average rate. The district lowered the levy from $3.7723 to $3.6883 in 2025, but has opted to raise it  this year. 

 

There were no public comments at the tax rate hearing. 

 

The motion, which passed 5-0, set the tax rate at $3.7301, “with designation of $3.7301 into Fund I.”

 

Normally a board of seven, members Reid Grigsby and Brian Mitchell were absent from this meeting. 

 

Friday morning, Dr. Wes Davis had this to say about the new tax rate

 

Later, Davis’ financial report described the district as “financially healthy,” adding to its reserve balance. Having just finished the annual audit with the district’s independent auditor, Davis told the board there were, “no significant findings to report.” Following the audit, he reported to the board that Fund IV has a balance large enough to pay off a current lease-purchase, if so desired. 

 

The auditor will appear before the board in person to review his findings, in November or December. 

 

Enrollment is trending down at R-VII. West Plains Elementary is down 49 students. South Fork is down 7. West Plains High School has 20 fewer students this year. The middle school, however, is up by 7 as of August 25. 

 

In other board action, personnel changes were approved. New certified hires are: Andrea Stevens - SFES sixth grade, Cheyenne Ade - SFES fifth grade, Ritchie Sharp - SMTI welding instructor, Andrea Beene - WPHS/ZPA JAG. For non-certified hires, the board approved: Stanley Reid - facility and grounds maintenance, Tyler Collins – custodian, Sharon Stevenson – paraprofessional, Kerry D. Bradshaw – custodian, Bill Combs – custodian, Chloe Hays – paraprofessional, Kristy Miran – paraprofessional, Jordan Uphaus - facility and grounds maintenance, Dennis Weatherford - substitute bus driver, Heather Hufstedler - WPMS BETA sponsor. Transfers included Richard Forshee from WPHS Social Studies to WPHS Science and Darrell Milburn from  full time bus driver to custodian.

 

Volunteers approved this meeting were: Riley Simpson, Kristopher Kirby, Jerry “Max” Meany, Kara Brown, Justin Brown, Samuel Cobb, James Laughary, Lee Laughary, Rebecca Pruett, and Faith Long.

 

The board accepted resignations from elementary teacher Kara Brown, Drew Cargill in maintenance, bus driver Kevin Collins, para Angelina Contreras, elementary teacher Dayla Decker, para Lacey Graham, SMTI welding instructor North West, para Samantha Wadkins, JAG teacher Joan Dietrich, and assistant high school track and field coach Hailey Beazley. Stacy Davis will retire at the end of the year. 

 

The board approved the termination of Kerry Bradshaw. 

 

The August meeting ended with a facility tour showing off summer improvements around the campus showcasing the book vending machine at WPES, the Ballpark Building constructed by the SMTI students, and the metal Zizzer sign displayed in the lower FEMA lobby at WPMS recently crafted by Jay Hale.