School Board Seeks No-Tax-Increase
Bond Issue for Major Repairs to Stadium

The Southern Boone School Board of Education voted unanimously during a special meeting on Friday, January 21, 2022, to place a no-tax-increase general obligation bond issue on the April 5, 2022, ballot, to be used for making major repairs and improvements to the district’s outdoor facilities at the high school.

The Southern Boone School District is asking the public to vote on the $3 million no-tax-increase bond issue that would provide funds to resurface the track, install new artificial turf and replace the scoreboard and sound system at the high school outdoor stadium. Passage of the bond issue will not increase the district’s property tax levy.

The bond issue language reads, “Shall the Southern Boone County R-I School District issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $3,000,000 for the purpose of constructing, improving, renovating, repairing, furnishing and equipping school facilities, including resurfacing the track, installing new artificial turf, and replacing the score board and sound system at the High School outdoor athletic complex and improving other District outdoor athletic facilities?

If this question is approved, the District’s debt service tax levy is estimated to remain unchanged at $1.8049 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.”

Plans For Future Bond Issues:

• April 2022: $3 million no-tax-increase bond issues for repairs and improvements to the track and field at the high school.
• April 2024: Potential $7-8 million no-tax-increase bond issue to build a new wing on the high school for the vocational, agriculture and FFA programs.
• April 2026: Potential no tax increase bond issue to build a new performing arts center and additional classrooms at the high school.
• April 2028: Potential no tax increase bond issue to build an early childhood center behind the primary school. 

Previous Passed Bond Issues:

• April 2021: $7.7 million no-tax-increase bond issue for the middle school expansion and renovation project.
• April 2019: 40 cent tax increase ($6 million bond issue) for the two story expansion (17 new classrooms) at the primary school and teacher pay.
• April 2018: $4.75 million no-tax-increase bond issue for the new gymnasium and 3 classrooms at the elementary school, new central office that opened up 7 classrooms at the middle school and a high school softball/baseball complex.
• April 2016: 15 cent tax increase ($7.5 million bond issue) for construction of 8 new classrooms and gymnasium at the primary school, 4 new classrooms at the elementary school and new weight room at the high school.

Updated COVID-19 Mitigation
and Prevention Strategies

• People are encouraged to wear masks at all times.  Face masks are recommended for days 6-10 , when returning after 5 full day isolation.
• CDC and Federal guidelines require masks to be worn when traveling on public transit.  This is inclusive of school buses of the district.
• Learn more at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html

Physical Distancing/Visitors

• Classrooms that have desks, students will be spaced with as much room between them as possible.
• Large gatherings are discouraged for long periods of time
• BOE may determine to restrict the use of the school facilities by outside organizers
• The district may limit attendance by parents and patrons during its school-sponsored indoor events (per policy IICC-AP1).
• Face coverings are encouraged by all visitors inside the school.
• Visitors providing essential and educational services are permitted but must check-in and follow COVID mitigation protocols.

Handwashing and Respiratory Etiquette

• Hand sanitizer will be available in classrooms and hallways for frequent use
• Classrooms with desks, student will be spaced with as much room between as possible 

Cleaning and Maintaining Healthy Facilities, including improving ventilation

• Thoroughly ventilate, clean and then disinfect all buildings, desks, food preparation/service areas, equipment and other surfaces prior to students returning, using CDC and OSHA guidelines, as well as any guidelines or tips provided by the BCHD.
• A cleaning schedule (revised maintenance and custodial schedules to focus on high touch/traffic areas) for effectively cleaning and disinfecting building and facilities for academic learning or extracurricular activities
• Clean and disinfect all work areas, counters, restrooms, doorknobs, etc. several times daily
• Clean and disinfect student desks/tables, keyboards as often as possible.
• Clean work out equipment/sports equipment frequently and between transitions
• Create a plan to increase frequency during flu season or increased covid 19  exposures in the area or in the school community

Isolation

• Only positive cases will isolate for 5 days, return on 6th day
• Negative test is not required for return
• Day 0 – symptom onset or date of test with positive result
• Day 1-5 isolation
• Day 6 return, end of isolation, after 5 full days if the person is fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your symptoms have been improving.
• No isolation for close contacts unless symptoms occur is required. 

Contact Tracing

• Contact tracing to the extent that has been utilized prior to January 20, 2022, will cease from the district’s perspective
• Methods of choice by building administration/nursing will be utilized to communicate to parents indicating a positive case has occurred in relation to their child/children or staff.
• The district’s role ends after identifying symptoms and providing households with recommended next steps.

Quarantines

• Assigning quarantines is not a function of the school district.
• Individuals identified as potential close contacts are not required to quarantine from school related activities, however parents and staff may choose to quarantine their child or themselves, following identification as a close contact for a period of 5 days.
• Administrative approval will be needed for additional days. If a parent makes such a selection remote learning options will be presented to the parent upon notification being made to school administration.

Screening

• The District maintains a room for quarantine of any student demonstrating symptoms and waiting to be pick-up from school.

Vaccinations

• Clinics will continue to host vaccinations clinics when possible or warranted
• Vaccinations are recommended by the district

Exclusions from School

• Any symptoms that warrant a student or staff member to exit a building will follow the school district’s student handbook for return, unless verified with a positive COVID-19 test, which would require the above isolation.

Academic Needs of Students

• AMI services will be provided for those students that are required to isolate or notify administration of a desire to quarantine following identification as a close contact.
• Learn more about MOCAP Virtual Learning Option here.
• View the MOCAP Course Catalog here.

Appropriate Accommodations for Children with Disabilities with Respect to the Health and Safety Policies

• Accommodations as necessary or as mandated by the Individualized Education Plan
• Accommodations as necessary or as mandated by 504 Plan

Athletics

• MSHSAA COVID-19 Return to Play Form

Preschool Program Application/Selection Process Underway

The Southern Boone County R-I Preschool’s application and selection process is currently underway. This is a program children that are 4 years old. All potential applicants must be four by July 31st of the upcoming school year. Children who are eligible for Kindergarten are not eligible for this program. This is a half-day program for 4 year-olds that meets 5 days a week. We have both a morning and afternoon session with a maximum of 25 students per session, divided between two classrooms . We offer a developmentally appropriate, standard-based curriculum that uses a thematic approach. Our goal is to help each child grow physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually.