Bakersfield R-IV School District

School finance has felt like a roller coaster since COVID. During COVID, several grants were available that are now drying up. The state had a large surplus due to federal money coming in to support COVID efforts, which is also drying up. The state surplus balances are shrinking as net state revenue declines.

Another challenge that faces public education is the discussion of eliminating, or at least reducing, property taxes. While reducing property taxes is something everyone can appreciate; in the absence of another funding source, schools, ambulances and other local services would close.

The discussion of eliminating property taxes is happening at the same time as the re-write of Missouri's School Foundation Formula. Property taxes are the basis of this formula. It seems illogical to re-write a formula if the primary funding source could go away.

At Bakersfield, we have tremendous community support. For that, we are tremendously grateful. In 2015, voters approved a levy to provide a new high school. This levy was set to expire in 20 years. Due to diligent and intentional fiscal planning, Bakersfield R-IV School District CUT the levy to 15 years. In addition, two prepayments have been made to cut additional years off this levy. It is hoped that the original 20 year levy will be paid in 13 years, saving the taxpayers a minimum of $167,500 in Interest.

Another thing we do at Bakersfield to save money is buy vehicles at State Surplus Property. We have 5 vans/cars for teachers to use when they take kids to events, go to professional development, or other school activities that require travel. State Surplus Property has vehicles and equipment that were previously owned by other government entities. Because only government entities can buy items here, they are very inexpensive. We bought three vehicles last year for $16,000. We also have recently received a car for FREE from the Sheriff's Office in Ozark County. We had to pay $988 for a delivery fee, but the car was free. Another reason we buy vehicles is because we do not have enough bus drivers for trips. When a teacher or sponsor is taking a smaller number of students, we can use school vehicles. Not only does it not require a bus driver to be taken off a route, but it is more economical than a bus to operate.

We are currently using ONLY INSURANCE money for our ball park reconstruction. With the financial picture uncertain for public schools in Missouri, we will not be using district funds for this project. We have been fortunate so far in getting many services and supplies at competitive rates, and even donated. We will exhaust all insurance funds for the park, but no district dollars will be used because we simply can not spare them at this time.

You also may have noticed that a new roof was put on the high school this summer. The district was not out any money on this because it was covered by the warranty. The only impact on finances is that the money was received in the 24-25 fiscal year and will be paid out in the 25-26. This will create a deficit spending scenario at the year end of 25-26 because the money was received in the previous fiscal year and paid out in the current fiscal year.

Last year we expanded preschool with grant money. We only received funds for one semester of last year. Additionally, our Early Childhood class is funded a year behind so we had the expense last year, and hopefully the state will fund it at 100% moving forward, but we don't have a guarantee of that. We just monitor the situation, and do our best to provide services for our kids and community.

Another thing we have been able to do is renovate space to accommodate the expansion of preschool with primarily grant dollars. This enabled us to do the needed renovations to provide space and fix plumbing issues without having to ask taxpayers. This is important to us because our local community has been so good to us in providing the high school when it was desperately needed. The major way we can show our appreciation is to be the best steward of taxpayer money with what we have and pay it off early!!! As these grants dry up, we can know we used them efficiently to save current and future tax dollars!

With fiscal uncertainty in the air, there is one thing you can be sure of. That surety is that Bakersfield R-IV School District works to be the best steward of taxpayer money while still providing an excellent education for every student! We have a staff of professionals who genuinely care about the kids and this community. We are certainly not perfect, and make mistakes everyday, but we come prepared to do better today than the day before and we WANT to do a good job for our school. We appreciate the support we have from the community and take your trust seriously. We will keep working to make your tax dollars stretch as far as possible, and pay off the high school building levy early.

Dr. Amy Padgett, Superintendent

Bakersfield Seniors - Please return your senior composite order form envelope with your package selections and money to the high school office by tomorrow, October 17th.