Bismarck no longer accepts out-of-district students
School board takes up tuition, tax rates, enrollment at Thursday board meeting
By CHRIS CLINE
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Sunday, August 24, 2008
“We used to charge what our expenditures were per student for tuition,” said Bismarck Superintendent Dr. Damon Gamble. “We have eliminated that practice. We are no longer going to accept tuition students who live outside the district.”
The board also voted to lower the district’s tax rate. The previous tax rate was $3.43 for operating levy and $.65 for debt service. The new tax rate will be $3.3833 for operating levy and $.65 for debt service.
“It’s good news for the taxpayers,” Gamble said. “Any time taxes go down, that’s a good thing.”
Gamble told the board that enrollment in the district is 589.
“We are down a little bit from where we were last year at this time,” he said. “However, we are up from where we finished last year. I was hoping our enrollment would be 600, but it is what it is.”
Gamble also told the board that the district has entered into an agreement with West County for dual credit courses through Mineral Area College.
“Our students previously didn’t have the opportunity to receive college credit for their high school work,” Gamble said. “West County has an agreement in place with Mineral Area College (MAC) for dual credit courses. Their students can take certain courses at their high school and at the same time receive credit for them at MAC. We are going to start sending some of our students over to West County for these classes.”
Gamble also gave a report on summer facility projects. He said most of the projects have been or are near completion.
“The board has expressed an interest in constructing another baseball field in back of the school,” he said. “So that will be the next project we will be looking in to.”
The board gave authorization to Gamble for the purchase of a new truck for the district. He said he expected the truck to cost approximately $20,000 or less.
Chris Cline is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at ccline@dailyjournalonline.com.
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Reader Comments (12)The comments below are from readers and do not represent the views of the Daily Journal
lsmlp posted on Saturday, September 6th, 2008 at 11:57 am
It's scary to think that some people can vote and reproduce!
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lsmlp posted on Saturday, September 6th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Crystal: You are a little our of touch with reality. More than likely, your kids are embarrassed by your being at the school all of the time, but are afraid to tell you. Take a deep breath and leave it to the professionals!
CRYSTAL01 posted on Thursday, September 4th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
as a parent of the school i bend over backwards to make sure my kids have everything they need& more some years the classes my kids were in would not of had parties or anything if not for me every year i put alot of money into the school and if i want to be mad about something thats my right you would disagree you work at the school anyone who knows me knows i give all the time to the school and my kids and i dont care what other think i pay my taxes and i have a right to freedom of speech get over it i live in the usa and have freedom of speech deal with it
imaginethat posted on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Bismarck has "high and mighty" teachers? Too funny. Yes, some teachers have that attitude. But that is at every school not just Bismarck. My child use to attend school there. To be quite honest, since our family moved, the grades have greatly improved. I believe alot of the problem was some teachers he had. But I cannot say all the teachers were at fault. They are a small district with limited resources, they do the best they can with what they have.
lsmlp posted on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 at 7:01 pm
luckygirl:
You're comments are hypocritical! I am not to judge you, but you can judge me? Now THAT is "smart".
Also, you need to read my comment again. I NEVER stated why the school gives free tuition to teacher's kids. In fact, that is a state law. I simply stated that most teacher's kids are not a big problem. Yes some are! You are right there! I've expericence that one first hand.
And as far as MY kid, mind your own business! I teach my child respect at home so the teachers don't have to do it at school. Do you do that?
And by the way, Bismarck teachers are ANYTHING BUT "high and mighty". They are (for the most part) the finest bunch of people I have EVER worked with. And I have done fastfood, factory work and even WalMart. I know what benefits we get and I know what benefits we have earned.
Until you try the job yourself, you have no right to judge what benefits we do or do not get....including free tuition for our kids!
You're comments are hypocritical! I am not to judge you, but you can judge me? Now THAT is "smart".
Also, you need to read my comment again. I NEVER stated why the school gives free tuition to teacher's kids. In fact, that is a state law. I simply stated that most teacher's kids are not a big problem. Yes some are! You are right there! I've expericence that one first hand.
And as far as MY kid, mind your own business! I teach my child respect at home so the teachers don't have to do it at school. Do you do that?
And by the way, Bismarck teachers are ANYTHING BUT "high and mighty". They are (for the most part) the finest bunch of people I have EVER worked with. And I have done fastfood, factory work and even WalMart. I know what benefits we get and I know what benefits we have earned.
Until you try the job yourself, you have no right to judge what benefits we do or do not get....including free tuition for our kids!
luckygirl posted on Sunday, August 31st, 2008 at 9:48 pm
hey lsmlp: So Bismarck allows the teachers' kids to attend because it makes the school 'look' better? That sounds smart. I have a newsflash for you: a lot of teacher's kids do not have good behavior or get good grades! In fact, because they have a parent as a teacher, they think they can get away with more!
Please, don't tell me to keep comments to myself, I know the facts, you have no idea who I am! I can't comment at work, so here I am! Your kid, I'm sure, is no angel. Yes, by your comment I've assumed you're a teacher. You have a 'high & mighty' sound to you, like the rest!
Sure, teachers should get benefits, oh wait, they do!!!
Please, don't tell me to keep comments to myself, I know the facts, you have no idea who I am! I can't comment at work, so here I am! Your kid, I'm sure, is no angel. Yes, by your comment I've assumed you're a teacher. You have a 'high & mighty' sound to you, like the rest!
Sure, teachers should get benefits, oh wait, they do!!!
lynnde posted on Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Thank you to the Administration and Board of Education. You know what you are doing and you're doing it well. Keep up the good work. Bismarck School is fortunate to have you.
lsmlp posted on Monday, August 25th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Ladies.... PLEASE keep your comments to yourself when you don't know all of the facts. The school cannot accept out of district students anymore has NOTHING to do with the money! Usually these kids are failing other schools, on the verge of being thrown into Juvy, or much worse. They have discovered that they can PAY their way out of their problems by attending another school.
Bismarck won't accept that anymore! Hurray for them!
Also, the teachers kids are NOT usually a "problem". In fact, their good behavior and grades usually make the school look better!
Besides, don't you think teachers with 4-6-8 year degrees should get the small benefit of free tuition for their own kids?
Before I go.....as far as the sex offenders: Bismarck is not alone in this problem. Unfortunately, they MUST abide by the laws...which have changed recently. Quit just asuming that the school is not doing their part. They can only do what they can do. Their hands are tied.
Also, are there any other schools that don't reqire school supplies? NOPE!
Bismarck won't accept that anymore! Hurray for them!
Also, the teachers kids are NOT usually a "problem". In fact, their good behavior and grades usually make the school look better!
Besides, don't you think teachers with 4-6-8 year degrees should get the small benefit of free tuition for their own kids?
Before I go.....as far as the sex offenders: Bismarck is not alone in this problem. Unfortunately, they MUST abide by the laws...which have changed recently. Quit just asuming that the school is not doing their part. They can only do what they can do. Their hands are tied.
Also, are there any other schools that don't reqire school supplies? NOPE!
CRYSTAL01 posted on Monday, August 25th, 2008 at 10:06 am
I THINK THAT IF THE SCHOOL CAN SPEND MONEY ON A 20,000 TRUCK FOR THE SCHOOL WHICH MAKES NO SENCE AND AND NOW NOT ALLOW STUDENTS TO PAY TO COME TO BISMARCK BUT TEACHER CHILDEREN OR SCHOOL STAFF CAN BE THERE FOR FREE THATS NOT RIGHT AS A PARENT OF THE SCHOOL I AM VERY UPSET WITH THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE HERE IF PEOPLE WANT THERE CHILDEREN TO BE IN OUR SCHOOL AND ARE WILLING TO PAY WHAT DOES IT HURT ALSO YOU WANT TO DO MORE FOR THE SPORTS DEPT AGAIN AND NOT OTHER THINGS THAT NEED DONE ALSO THE SEX OFFEDERS PICKING UP THERE KIDS AT OUR SCHOOL SHOULD NOT BE I SEE IT EVERYDAY UP THERE WHO GOT OUR KIDS BEST INTREST AT HEART OUR SCHOOL NEEDS TO STEP BACK AND REALLY LOOK AT WHATS IMPORTANT THEY WANT ALL THIS GELP FROM US AND THE SCHOOL DSUPPLIES AND STUPIED SCHOOL SUPPLIES BABY WIPES BAGGIES PLATES NAPKINS WE PAY TAXES AND YOU CANT PROVIDE THESE ITEMS BUT YOU CAN SPEND MONEY ON A NEW TRUCK ANDSPORTS DEPT AND NOT FOR THE EDUCATION PART I AM VERY UPSET AND I TIHNK THEY NEED TO THINK REAL THOUGHTS
luckygirl posted on Sunday, August 24th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
What about the teachers at Bismarck that might live another district? Why does their child get to attend Bismarck for free? This might raise some problems. If an outsider isn't allowed to PAY to attend, then a teacher's child shouldn't be allowed to attend for FREE. Simply not right.
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