Dear Macks Creek Families,
We hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the beautiful fall season. As we navigate this school year together, we want to take a moment to share an important update regarding the voter-approved construction project we began in late-May.
You are asked to “re-vote” on the bond issue…
Election Update: State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick disagreed with the manner in which the Camden County Clerk’s Office advertised this April’s election and did not certify the election results requiring our district to run the ballot initiative again. Missouri law requires political subdivisions to adhere to Chapter 115 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo) for conducting elections, including publishing the first notice two weeks prior to the election and the second notice within one week of the election. Additionally, notices must appear in two newspapers with general circulation in the affected area. Our district has no control over the publication of these notices as it is the statutory obligation of the election authority to do so.
Upcoming Vote: Don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, November 4th. This vote concerns the same bond issue that received 72% approval in April 2025, but wasn’t certified requiring the district to run it again
Why didn’t the District halt the project in late June when it learned that the auditor’s office wouldn’t certify the election results?
The district began construction on these essential upgrades immediately once summer break began to ensure our facilities would be ready for students returning in August. At that time, asbestos abatement was well underway and demolition was already complete relative to our outdated kitchen, walk-in cooler, walk-in freezer, and spaces within our old gym. Due to this urgency, we had to secure higher-interest loans to fund the project through to completion. We are now asking voters to consider the exact same bond issue to pay off these loans.
Ballot Language:
"Shall Macks Creek R-V School District of Camden County, Missouri, without an increase in the current debt service levy of the District, issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $1,500,000 for the purpose of improving, repairing, and renovating the District's facilities, including:
Improving the kitchen, cafeteria, old gymnasium, and weight room.
Abating asbestos at various facilities.
Completing other repairs and improvements to existing facilities."
If approved, the adjusted debt service levy is estimated to remain unchanged from the current rate of $0.4053 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.
Additional Information
1. Kitchen and Cafeteria Renovations
We have modernized our kitchen, cafeteria, food storage, walk-in cooler and freezer, which were built in 1970 and were no longer adequate for our students' needs. The renovations included:
Upgraded kitchen equipment and expanded storage areas.
A more efficient layout and the addition of a concession stand.
Adjusted cafeteria layout to reduce overcrowding, ensuring a comfortable dining environment.
2. Old Gymnasium and Weight Room Enhancements
The old gymnasium received significant updates, including:
New basketball goals and refinishing of the gym floor built in 1936 - the old goals were removed nearly 10 years ago due to concerns with the structural integrity of the ceiling. Thanks to engineering and the installation of a safe, modern framework, new goals are now in place. The addition of these goals will make it possible for the school to increase practice space reducing the demand on our main gym. As a result, practice schedules won’t have to be offset and will now end two hours earlier each day.
Creation of spaces for elementary basketball practice and spectator seating.
Stabilization of the flooring of the entire structure to prevent catastrophic failure.
Upgrades to the weight room with interlocking rubber flooring and energy-efficient LED lighting.
3. Asbestos Abatement
We have safely removed asbestos-containing materials in various district facilities, aligning with federal safety regulations. The newly polished concrete floors in the lobby, hallways and classrooms where asbestos tile was present are safe, low maintenance, and will reduce annual upkeep costs.
4. Additional Repairs and Improvements
Pending available funds, we plan to address other maintenance needs, such as:
Modernizing seating in the main gymnasium
Completely repainting the main gym
Purchasing modern exercise equipment for our newly remodeled weight room
Our facilities must meet the needs of our students today while preparing them for success tomorrow. Macks Creek School district is proud to have modernized aged facilities, retrofitting spaces built in 1936, 1954 and 1970 to meet the needs of our students today. Through careful planning for fiscal responsibility, our district continues to demonstrate our commitment to balancing community investment with financial stewardship.
5. How does our district's assessed valuation impact our levy & why is our levy higher than the Camdenton School Levy?
At the August annual tax-rate hearing, the board voted to lower our operating levy by nearly 4 cents to 3.4048. This reduced our overall levy from 3.85 to 3.8101. The lowering of our levy directly correlates to an increase in assessed valuation within our school district. Simply put, the more folks who build homes and open businesses contributing to the tax base, reduces the need for a higher levy to support our schools. Our district anticipates continued growth and looks forward to further levy reductions in the future.
Contrasting the levy of Camdenton Schools to that of Macks Creek provides an excellent example of how assessed valuation impacts local schools.
For example, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, as of November 2024, Camdenton Schools had an assessed valuation of approximately $1,339,801,563 compared to Macks Creek’s AV of $41,036,550.
Camdenton collected $39,385,398.14 in local taxes. The average sum produced per child by the local tax effort for each of the 3,392 students at Camdenton was $11,608.25.
In contrast, the average sum produced per child by the local tax effort for each of Macks Creek’s 305 students was $1,548,356.33 which equates to $5,073.30 per child by the local tax effort.
Camdenton spent twice as much per pupil than Macks Creek School and generated $39,385,398 with a levy of $3.06 while Macks Creek generated $1,548,356 with a levy of $3.85.
Simply put, Camdenton Schools has 97% more in assessed valuation than Macks Creek, meaning their smaller levy generates significantly more funds.
Since by statute, Missouri schools can only fund construction projects through the use of local funds, Missouri schools have no other choice but to ask voters to consider ballot initiatives such as the one voters are asked to consider (again) in November. Regardless of the outcome of this vote, the current 0.4053 cent debt service levy (approved in 2014 to fund the construction of our 9-classroom K-2 wing and remodel older parts of our elementary school) won’t expire until 2034.
Thank you for being an integral part of our school community. We look forward to your active participation in the upcoming vote and to continuing our journey together in fostering a vibrant learning environment for all.
Warm regards,
Josh
Macks Creek R-V School District
Dr. Joshua C. Phillips jphillips@mackscreekpirates.org
mackscreekpirates.org