Odessa schools show math strength but do not meet '08 AYP standards
by Bud Jones
Showing overall strength in mathematics at every level, Odessa R-7 District proficiency scores from last spring's MAP testing recently were reported by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Odessa students met the mark in every student subgroup in every building districtwide in math proficiency, meeting proficiency standards in 15 out of 15 separate categories.
In addition, math scores showed significant improvement over the previous year, when the district met proficiency standards in only nine out of 14 possible categories. Read complete story in The Odessan.
Explaining APR, AYP scores for schools
by Bud Jones
Annual Performance Report (APR) and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) test scores for all school districts in the state recently were released by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Test scores are derived from MAP tests given to students last spring. Subjects covered in the AYP and APR results include mathematics and communication arts.
Under mandates implemented by the federal No Child Left Behind Act, all students are supposed to score at proficient levels in math and communication arts by the year 2014. In order to meet that mandated benchmark, test scores which meet annual proficient level targets increase each year. Read complete story in The Odessan.
New student...Lynza Garcia, 7, will be a second grade student this fall at McQuerry Elementary. She and her family recently moved to Odessa from Raytown. photo by Bud Jones |
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Classes begin Monday in R-7,
Tuesday first day at W-N
by Bud Jones
Back-to-school time is nearly here.
Classes in the Odessa R-7 School District resume Monday.
Wellington-Napoleon R-9 School District students return to classes Tuesday.
Teachers, staff members and administrators are busy this week getting ready. Read complete story in The Odessan. |
No one speaks at hearing setting property tax levy
by Betty S. Spaar
No one commented or asked questions Monday night at a public hearing on the property tax levy held prior to the regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen.
A 51.64¢ property tax levy is proposed for the general fund and a 13.64¢ levy for the park fund.
The city's assessed valuation is $50,746,407 but those figures do not include Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers or an anticipated decrease in the value of the Odessa Commerce Park, formerly Odessa Outlet Center. Read complete story in The Odessan.
Electric rates to be adjusted
by Betty S. Spaar
Aldermen got a second look at the electric department budget at the close of the Monday night meeting.
Included in the budget is a proposed rate adjustment.
Wade Sanders, city administrator, suggested decreasing the per kilowatt hour (KW) rate for all customer classes by 1/4¢. Residential rate would decrease from 9.9¢ to 9.65¢. Read complete story in The Odessan.
Water line repair...was needed Friday to a six-inch water main line along Second Street near the Montgomery Street intersection. Repairs were made and the hole was backfilled, with asphalt repairs to the street completed Tuesday. photo by Marshall Danner
Report on planning for sewers indicates bond issue needed
by Betty S. Spaar
Jack Yancey, alderman ward two, and liaison to the water and wastewater departments, reported Monday night to the Board of Aldermen on planning for the city's sewer problems.
After his report was completed, aldermen agreed to ask staff to begin paperwork necessary for application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for a lift station and main, and costs for engineering and design of a new northwest sewer treatment plant from Allgeier-Martin Engineers.
Yancey said it will be necessary to place a five or six million dollar bond issue on the ballot, probably in April. Read complete story in The Odessan.
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