District attendance reaches 20-year high
Springfield Public Schools students achieved 94.48 percent attendance in 2008-2009, the best districtwide attendance rate in 20 years.
“This achievement is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate as a community,” noted Superintendent Norm Ridder. “This record represents the hard work and commitment of our students, parents, staff and community members.”
This is the second consecutive year the attendance rate has increased as SPS works toward a goal of improving districtwide attendance to 95 percent as established in its strategic plan. SPS last had 95 percent or better attendance in 1989 when it reached 95.12 percent.
“Attendance matters to the schools, students, families and community,” said district attendance coordinator Becky Morgan. ”Studies show that school attendance is linked to school achievement. Learning builds day by day, and if a child is not in school, he or she can’t learn. It’s that simple.”
Many factors contribute to the gains being made in attendance, explained Morgan. Programs like the BN SCHL campaign and requirements by the Missouri School Improvement Plan to target improved attendance are two examples.
The AlertNow instant notification system has also contributed by allowing schools to encourage attendance by promptly notifying parents about student absences and promoting student engagement.
Community involvement is another critical factor, Morgan said, noting support from Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Community Partnership of the Ozarks, Division of Children’s Services, Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, Greene County prosecuting attorney, Kiwanis Club—Ozark Empire, North Springfield Betterment Association, Springfield Council of PTAs and United Way of the Ozarks. In addition, there are numerous businesses that offer incentives and rewards to students to promote attendance throughout the year.
Board considers bond issue to leverage stimulus funds
Federal stimulus funds for facility improvements are being made available to public school districts through interest-free bonds via the Qualified School Construction Bond program. The Springfield school board discussed the possibility of participating in the program during its June 16 study session.
Missouri will be awarded $282 million over two years to allocate to school districts that pass a general obligation bond measure in 2009 or 2010. Each school district could then apply to receive a portion of the interest-free bonds available through the state.
Greg Bricker, the district’s investment advisor, said Springfield Public Schools is the “poster child” for this program. The district currently has excess bonding capacity and available debt-service funds which would enable it to issue a $40 million general obligation bond without having to increase its existing debt-service levy. Many school districts would likely have to approve a tax increase for a new bond issue, he said.
In Bricker’s estimation, SPS could issue a $50 million bond without increasing taxes by applying for the QSCB program. “It is my very conservative estimate that of that $50 million you could qualify for $10 million of it in interest-free bonds through QSCB,” he said.
“It sounds like you could get quite a bit more bang for your buck,” said board member Andy Hosmer.
To qualify, SPS would have to put a measure before the voters either in November 2009 or April 2010.
In the next few weeks the board will consider facility needs and make a decision about when to ask voters to approve a measure. The board would have to vote by Aug. 25 to place a request on the November ballot.
