Neosho operating levy proposal aims at expanding opportunities

On June 2, Neosho residents will vote on an operating levy proposal from the Neosho School District that will enhance Early Childhood programs and broaden educational opportunities for the district’s students, while also providing an improved salary schedule to attract and retain the best teachers and staff.

“The proposal is a sensible, financially responsible proposal that will mean better times ahead for
students, teachers and staff, families, and the communities the Neosho School District proudly
serves,” Neosho School District Superintendent Dr. Jim Cummins said. “Passage would generate valuable educational opportunities for the students in our district.”

If approved by voters, the operating levy proposal will:

• •  Ensure student and staff safety by building storm shelters at Field Early Childhood
    and Central Elementary, and multipurpose shelters at Benton Elementary and
    Neosho Middle School, which will serve as early childhood education space and
    training and meeting space;
  • Give more students a solid educational beginning by expanding Early Childhood
    Education on the east side of town through a new multipurpose space at Benton Elementary;
  • Enhance art and music education by renovating existing art and music spaces and
    build a 1,500-seat performance hall at Neosho High School. The proposal will add
    dedicated band classrooms, and the existing auditorium and classroom space will be
    repurposed for choir and theater classrooms;
  • Allow the district to attract and retain the best employees by providing teachers and staff
    salary increases through a Prop C Waiver, making the district’s salary schedule more
    competitive with neighboring school districts; and
  • Improve opportunities for extracurricular participation with the addition of an End Zone
    Facility that provides indoor practice facilities, modern restrooms and accessible concession
    areas.

The proposal will renovate Neosho High School locker rooms that were built in the
1950s. Building the End Zone facility will require relocating the Roy B. Shaver baseball field
to the athletic complex near Neosho Junior High School.

The operating levy proposal will generate more than $22 million for the district and will
result in a tax increase of less than $75 per year for the owner of a $100,000 home.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 2.