Public plays vital role in Missoula County Public Schools success

As we move toward the completion of another school year it continues to be on honor to serve the Missoula County Public Schools and the community as your school superintendent.

The school district and our community are continuing to move forward together to provide the very best education for our students. The community’s consistent support has been the deciding factor in our school district’s effort to move into the 21st century with the confidence and resources necessary to continue our success. In addition, we have also been fortunate to receive private donations which are spearheading our work in relation to our 21st Century Initiative, an effort that has involved numerous staff, students and community in the process of analyzing and evaluating our current educational program. This work is a true example of an educational system focused on a model of continuous improvement.

Through the 21st century effort we have also initiated a second major school/community initiative, "Graduation Matters Missoula," which has recently been recognized nationally by the American School Board Association for reducing our drop-out rate by over 47 percent.

Our third priority is achievement and graduation for all students which encompasses all of our efforts to date. In relation to the importance of our work, I would like to share an article written by Michelle Anderson from the highly regarded Education Week Newspaper dated March 30, "Graduation Rates, Education and the Economy: Boosting State and National Economies by improving High School Graduation Rates":

"A new report spells out the economic benefits that would come to individuals – and the entire nation – if the United States were to cut its drop-out rate in half.

"According to the report, if half of the 1.3 million students who dropped out of the class of 2010 had instead earned a high school diploma last year, they could collectively boost their annual earnings by an average $7.6 billion. That translates to an additional $5.6 million a year in spending and $2 billion in investments, according to the new calculations from the Washington-based Alliance for Excellent Education and State Farm Insurance, based in Bloomington, IL.

"By the midpoint of their careers, the report adds, those ‘new graduates’ would likely purchase homes worth a total of $1.9 billion more than they would have spent had they not earned a diploma."

The continued support and development of our school district’s initiatives is essential in keeping students in school and preparing them for success in a changing and competitive global economy. To neglect this responsibility to any degree would be a mistake we as a community, state and nation can ill afford.

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Missoula, Please Support Friends of Public Education with Your Donations http://matr.net/article-44158.html

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Overall, our school district’s work will continue to focus on a system of public education that will excite, inspire and motivate students and teachers to exceed the status quo.

Registered voters in the MCPS District will receive election ballots regarding four levies which will provide us the opportunity to continue our efforts and success:

• Renewal of an Elementary Building Reserve levy for $2.5 million ($500,000 per year for five years); tax impact is $7.75 per year on a home/property with an assessed value of $100,000.

• Renewal of a High School Building Reserve levy for $3.15 million ($450,000 per year for seven years); tax impact is $4.02 per year on a home/property with an assessed value of $100,000.

• Elementary General Fund Operation Levy for $435,000; tax impact is $6.74 per year on a home/property with an assessed value of $100,000, and

• High School General Fund Operation Levy for $710,000; tax impact is $6.35 per year on a home/property with an assessed value of $100,000.

The budget is an important component in relation to our on-going purpose, which is to provide the very best education for our students.

We respect and honor our community and ask that you please exercise your right to vote, returning your mail-in ballot by May 3.

Alex P. Apostle is superintendent of Missoula County Public Schools.

http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/article_4d860524-6773-11e0-a90b-001cc4c03286.html