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The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their public tax rate hearing, budget hearing and regular meeting Thursday evening. At the hearing, Superintendent Steve Bryant went over the assessed valuation figures for Dent County that showed last year the total assessed valuation was $59,596,350, and for the 2007 year it increased to $63,545,116. The amount of tax revenue generated by the $2.75 general fund levy would be $1,607,691. Bryant said that the debt service rate could be increased to 70 cents per $100 assessed valuation, but he felt that the school could meet all their obligations at the current rate of 68 cents per $100 assessed valuation that would generate $397,538. In the budget hearing, the proposed revenues anticipated for the 2007-2008 school year for all funds was $12,343,780, while the total expenses are expected to be $12,745,129. This comes to about a $400,000 deficit budget. Bryant explained that even thought this figure is made up of a number of factors, he said it really comes to what the school district still owes on the Upper Elementary expansion which comes to about $300,000; and the prepayment of $100,000 this year on bond interest that will allow the district to save money when the bonds mature in 2011. He said that the budget is made up of 34.6% local money, 1.5% county funds, 38.6% state funds, 9.5% federal funds and 15.8% of other funds that includes tuition from the rural schools for their students. In the regular meeting, the board discussed the professional development meetings held prior to the start of school. Bryant said that a total of 1,549 students attended the first day of school which is 33 more than last year. He said that that the school has about 100 new students this year district wide. Bryant then explained about the school district being placed on the list of schools that need to improve from the results of the “No Child Left Behind Adequate Yearly Progress”. Salem was on the list because this was the second straight year that Salem did not achieve the “target” goals. Actually, the designation is a result of academic testing in communication arts and math in the students with disabilities subgroup. Bryant said there actually has been improvement in that subgroup, but not enough to meet the “target” goals. The district sent out a letter to parents with an updated plan to try to achieve the desired results. All other buildings and subgroups reached the “target” goals. The board then approved the tuition for the 2007-2008 school year. For kindergarten through the 8^th grade, the tuition cost is $5,536.02 which is up from $4,243.02 last year. The tuition for the 9^th through 12^th grade will be $6,011.48 and that is up from last year’s figure of $5,648.94. The board approved the tax rate as recommended in the tax rate hearing of $3.43 per $100 assessed valuation which is the same as last year, approved the amended budget, approved the 2006-2007 Annual Secretary of the Board’s Report (ASBR), approved the Developmental Preschool Transportation Agreement, and approved the audit engagement letter from Matt James of Willow Springs to perform audits this year and next year at a cost of $6,050 each year. The board heard a program evaluation on the climate of the schools and all the building principals were pleased with the cooperation and attitude. The board heard from Principal John Smith and Assistant Principal Don Smith on some modifications to the extra curricular and athletic drug testing policy. Alcohol has been included as one of the drugs that will be tested for, and the school would only tests five of six students at a time to speed up the process. The board then went into closed session.

Sports [TOP]

Yadier Molina went 3-for-3 with two homers, three RBI and three runs scored to lead St. Louis over Milwaukee, 8-0, in the finale of a three-game set from Miller Park. David Eckstein added a three-run double for the Cardinals, who swept the series and have won five straight to pull within 2 1/2 games of Milwaukee for first place in the NL Central. Adam Wainwright (11-9) hurled seven innings of two-hit shutout ball, fanning eight and walking three for his first win in his last three starts. Troy Percival locked up the win with a scoreless home half of the ninth. The Cardinals now face the Chicago Cubs in a four game series starting today at 1:00 and you can hear the game on KSMO Radio. They will also play at 2:45 Saturday, 7:00 Sunday evening and 1:00 on Monday. All the games can be heard on KSMO.

John Buck's bases-clearing double highlighted Kansas City's four-run eighth inning in a 6-2 victory over Texas to wrap up a three-game series. Ryan Braun (1-0) was the beneficiary of the onslaught, pitching 2 2/3 scoreless frames while surrendering two hits with two strikeouts. Grudzielanek ended with three hits, Butler reached base four times and Gordon homered in the victory, salvaging a game for the Royals in the series. Kansas City starter Leo Nunez went only three-plus innings, yielding one run on four hits with three walks and one strikeout. He left the game because of an apparent injury to his thumb.

John Beck scored on a two-point conversion plunge following Patrick Cobbs' seven-yard touchdown run to give the Dolphins an 11-10 victory over the Chiefs in preseason action. Damon Huard completed three of five passes for 26 yards in his three possessions. Brodie Croyle accounted for the Chiefs' touchdown, a 21-yard connection with Chris Hannon late in the second quarter, but also threw a costly interception that cost them another scoring opportunity. Chiefs rookie Curtis Printers completed 8-of-10 attempts in relief of Huard and Croyle, for 122 yards. He also rushed for 17 yards on two carries.

Tomorrow night at 7:00, the St. Louis Rams will host the San Diego Chargers in pre-season action at the Edward Jones Dome.

Bring a bottle of water, Gatorade or Powerade tonight to the Salem Tigers Football Scrimmage starting at 6:00 at the high school football field.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Virginia F. Moreland of St. James, age 69, will be held Monday at 11:00 at the James & Gahr Chapel in St. James. Visitation will be tonight from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Flag Springs Cemetery in St. James.

Funeral services for Edward “Bud” Carty of Salem, age 86, will be Tuesday at 1:00 at the James & Gahr Chapel in Salem. Visitation will be Monday from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the North Lawn Cemetery.

Funeral services for Patricia Ann Wolford of Rolla, age 66, are incomplete at this time. All the arrangements are under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary in Rolla.

Weather [TOP]