Sweet Springs school district receives $2.2 million interest-free bonds

Sweet Springs Board of Education members heard some good news regarding the R-7 district's fiscal ability to build the proposed addition to Sweet Springs High School.

Superintendent Boyd Jones reported that the district will receive $2.2 million in interest-free federal bonds to help pay for that addition, which is expected to cost $3.6 million.

He said he does not have all the details on the matter, but those details will be available Thursday, Aug. 13.

"That will certainly reduce the overall interest of the debt service dramatically. I don't think that that will make any difference to anybody's taxes next year, but it will certainly make a significant difference over the life of the issue," said Jones. "It will reduce it from 19 years to a maximum of 15. ... It's going to reduce the overall payment of our patrons by, probably, in the neighborhood of $1 million. That's a million dollars less tax money that someone's going to have to pay."

Jones went on to talk about professional development.

"We are bound to spend 75 hundredths of one percent of our state funds on professional development," he said. "We don't know what money we're going to get in state funds, but it will be in the neighborhood of $1.6 million, or more than that, I would expect."

Based on Jones's estimate, the district will spend $12,000 on professional development during the 2009-2010 school year.

Elementary School Principal Donna Wright gave the Principal's report, telling the board that in summer school, 114 students had perfect attendance.

She reminded board members about the school's open house Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

School will start Thursday, Aug. 13.

All board members were present for the meeting.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net