Issue link: http://accesshealth.uberflip.com/i/746277
6 | TheBucknerClarion.com Oct. Nov. 2016 The tax rate in the Fort Osage R-1 School District will remain the same for the tax year. The following are the assessed valuation figures from the past nine years: 2008 $281,456,270 2009 $273,935,626 2010 $262,507,251 2011 $259,002,207 2012 $256,546,753 2013 $256,860,548 2014 $256,106,755 2015 $268,520,968 2016 $272,465,129 In sharing information with the Board of Education regarding our assessed valuation, Dr. Jason Snodgrass, Superintendent of Schools, said, "Fort Osage School District's assessed valuation increased for the second consecutive year. The increase will help generate much-needed revenue for the school district." The Fort Osage Board of Education met on September 28, 2016 in a public hearing and set this year's tax rate at $5.700 per $100 of assessed valuation. The tax rate breaks down as follows: Special Fund $2.5643 General Fund $1.8600 Debt Service Fund $1.2757 Any increase in taxes paid by patrons is the result of their individual assessed valuation, not a change in the district tax rate. The adopted tax levy information is now forwarded to the Jackson County Clerk's office. Fort Osage School District Sets Levy Clinton Winds Elm Grove Students' Mock Vote for President On Friday, October 7, 2016, 360 students at Elm Grove Elementary School in the Fort Osage School District conducted a mock election -- Trump vs. Clinton. All students had a chance to use a real voting booth and walk through the process of casting a ballot. The voting equipment was provided by the Jackson County Board of Elections. Kindergarten through fourth grade voted for president. Hillary Clinton won 54 percent of the vote vs. Trump at 29 percent. Second grade students also had the opportunity to cast a vote for which law they would like to present to the community. The laws they selected pertained to wearing seat belts, littering, speeding in school zones and drugs. Students are taking part in voting as part of the Problem Based Learning Unit at Elm Grove. Students will be using their collaboration and problem-solving skills to develop ways to inform the community that these are real issues to children and that these laws should be obeyed. VOTE "I am excited to be able to bring social studies to life for our students. Giving them the real opportunity to cast a ballot is a great way to model the importance of having your voice heard," said Pam Fore, principal at Elm Grove Elementary School. Elm Grove is located at 18000 E. Kentucky Road, Independence, MO 64058 x The Career and Technology Center at Fort Osage is hosting a Fall Expo on Thursday, November 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. There will be interactive demonstrations by students (including CSI Clue, 3D Printing, Robotics, Firefighter Bunker Gear and more). Visitors will be able to learn about 14 career, technical, and college- preparatory programs for high school juniors and seniors. Families from the Fort Osage, Grain Valley, Blue Springs, and Oak Grove school districts are invited to attend. While the expo is geared for families with students in 8-12 grades, anyone is welcome to attend. What: CTC Fall Expo Where: Career &Tech Center at Fort Osage (2101 N. Twyman Road Independence, MO 64058) Date: Thursday, November 10, 2016 Time: 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. ● Interactive demos, including CSI Clue, 3D Printing, Robotics, Firefighter Bunker Gear and more! ● Learn about 14 career, technical and college-preparatory programs for high school juniors and seniors. ● Meet current students and instructors. x