News
The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their tax rate hearing and regular meeting Thursday evening at the district administrative offices. At the tax rate hearing, Superintendent Steve Carvajal reported the assessed valuation for the Salem R-80 School District was $65,778,151 and that with a tax rate of $2.75 per $100 assessed valuation, $1,553,519 will be generated for the school district. In the regular meeting, Superintendent Carvajal said that the open houses were a huge success and he wanted to thank the maintenance staff and faculty for the work they did in getting the district ready for the opening of school. Carvajal reported that there were 1,391 students on the first day of school and that is one less than last year. He said that the student behavior was fantastic for the first day of school. Carvajal said that the district received 14 points on the Annual Performance Report. DESE is not awarding schools this year for being accredited with distinction as they are changing the format and how many points will be possible. With the old scoring guide this would have been the fourth year in a row that the district would be awarded the honor. Senior High Principal John Smith reported that in the American Government category scores, Salem came in 19th in the state out of some 500 plus schools, and they were first in schools in Class 2, 3 and 4. They were also first in the SCA Conference. Smith wanted to thank instructors Mr. Hubbs, Mr. Parks and Mr. Stevens for their hard work. In getting those results. Carvajal also reported that the gym improvements were all but finished except for the scorer’s table, and that money from the Judson Young Foundation has been put to good use in getting a golf cart for the band, picnic tables at the football field and upper elementary, buzzers for the quiz bowl teams and more. He said that it was great that there is a local foundation that can provide funds that can be used for items that are needed without having to tap into the budget. The board approved the Annual Secretary of the Board Report for the year 2011-2012 as required by DESE, approved the tax rate of $2.75 per $100 assessed valuation for the 2012 tax rate, and they also approved the school getting an MASA school credit card. Assistant Superintendent John McCulloch discussed in detail how the Salem district scored 14 on the Annual Performance Report for the Board, and Superintendent Carvajal stated that the Salem bus fleet received the Exemplary School Bus Maintenance Award. The Board approved the official 2012-2013 budget that had a beginning balance of $3,477,629 in the General Fund and $2,785,095 in the Capital Projects Fund. Carvajal commended the previous administration for leaving the school in such fine financial condition with a fund balance at 31.56% of the total budget. The board accepted the resignations of Geraldine Medley from food service and Upper Elementary Music Teacher Julie Cartwright who is moving from the district. The board approved putting out bids for the propane tanks that the school owns. They have two 8,000-gallon tanks and one 500-gallon tank to sell. The board also approved the purchase of a 2013 Chevy Suburban from C & E Auto Sales for $36,195 as a vehicle to be used by the district for meetings or for small groups. The board then went into closed session to discuss personnel and hired Melissa Farrar as a speech implementer, Lori Beasley as the Upper Elementary Music Teacher, and Charlie Pace as the 9th grade boys basketball coach. The meeting was then adjourned.
The City of Salem Board of Alderman will conduct a public hearing to discuss the property tax rate for 2012 and their regular meeting tonight at the City Hall Council Chambers beginning at 7:00. After a public hearing to discuss the property tax rate for 2012 will be the approval of the agenda. In unfinished business, City Administrator Clayton Lucas will report to the Board his findings concerning the sandblasting, painting or going to stainless steel on the clarifiers at the Sewer Treatment Plant. Lucas will also update the Board on the appraisal of the Old Middle School property and from a previous meeting, the Board’s request for the CM Archer Group to evaluate the capacity of the City of Salem’s Pump Station and it’s ability to accommodate the flow from the Ranch Motel and adjacent buildings. Mayor Gary Brown would like to update the Board on MacArthur Avenue and address the MRPC Annual Banquet along with other issues concerning the City. During the Introduction and Reading of Bills and Resolutions, Bill #3262, which is an ordinance required to set the tax rate for 2012 will be presented. In new and miscellaneous business Water and Sewer Superintendent Jack Emory is requesting direction from the Board on repairing the 7-½ hp motor at the All Brown Lift Station and Mayor Brown, with the Board’s approval, will appoint Ray Walden as Economic Development Director to replace Sharon Tubbs. The Board will then vote to go in to Closed Session for the purpose of discussing litigation, real estate, personnel and contracts. These meetings are open to the public.
The 12th Tiger Club is sponsoring a Football Parade to be held on Friday, August 24th. This will be the first home football game for the Salem Football Tigers. Businesses, clubs, organizations, churches and individuals are encouraged to participate in the parade and show their Tiger Pride and Spirit. Floats and vehicles should line up around 5:30 pm, between the City of Salem Administration Building and the East Salem Hill. The parade will take off around 6:00 pm and will arrive at the Salem High School Football Stadium before the beginning at the game. For more information, please contact the 12th Tiger Club President, Stephanie Floyd by calling 247-1441.
Sports [TOP]
Pedro Alvarez crushed a solo homer in the 19th to give the Pittsburgh Pirates the win, 6-3, and put them two games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals for the second wild card in the National League. Carlos Beltran finished with two hits and two RBI for the Cards. Jaime Garcia, who returned for his first start since June 5th, held the Pirates to a pair of unearned runs on five hits in eight innings. The left-hander had a career-high 10 strikeouts and did not issue a walk. The Cardinals have the day off.
Salvador Perez's go-ahead RBI single in the eighth came an inning after Jeremy Guthrie's no-hit bid was lost to a scoring decision, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago White Sox for the third day in a row, 5-2, on Sunday. Guthrie stretched his personal shutout streak to 22 innings but finished with a no decision for the Royals, who have won nine of their last twelve. Kansas City will start a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays tonight.
Sam Bradford threw a pair of touchdown passes to lead the St. Louis Rams to a 31-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in preseason action on Saturday. Bradford was 6-of-9 for 102 yards, while Danny Amendola had three receptions for 58 yards and a score. Lance Kendricks hauled in the other TD pass from Bradford and finished the contest with two catches for 34 yards. Steven Jackson carried the ball 7 times for 49 yards. Matt Cassel completed 13-of-18 passes for 142 yards and Kevin Boss had four catches for 62 yards for Kansas City. The Chiefs will play the Seattle Seahawks on Friday while the Rams will play the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday.
Obituaries [TOP]
Funeral services for Sammy J. Holt of St. James, age 73, will be held today at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James. Interment will be in the Flag Springs Cemetery in St. James. Memorials may be made to the Flag Springs Church.
Funeral services for Ruby B. Barker of Doolittle formerly of Salem will be Wednesday at 1:00 at the Salem Chapel of James & Gahr Mortuary. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Interment will be in the Empire Cemetery in Gladden. Memorials are suggested to the Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.
Memorial services for Rachel Leigh Pruett of Ackworth, Iowa and formerly of Columbia, age 16, will be held Wednesday night at 6:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Memorials may be made to the future Rachel Leigh Pruett Scholarship Fund.
Funeral services for Kenneth Charles Piatt of Salem, age 53, will be held Friday at 1:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be from 11:30 until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kenneth C. Piatt family.
Weather [TOP]
