Branson School District to Air Obama's Speech to Some Classrooms

President Barack Obama's decision to address schoolchildren across the country raised eyebrows and a sleuth of concerns suggesting the most radical of objectives were being deployed to influence the children of our nation.

As a result of the backlash the White House released the transcript of the president's speech to American students which will be broadcast Tuesday afternoon at participating schools.

The Branson school district released the following statement regarding the president's broadcast to classrooms:

"President Barack Obama has invited America’s school children to listen in on Tuesday, September 8th as he addresses them on the importance of education. The address is available via a video stream to classrooms across the nation.

The President’s address will not be part of any district-wide or building-level event. If this event has a direct impact on the lesson plan for the day – particularly government/history classes at the secondary level – teachers may use this outside learning experience in conjunction with curriculum expectations that are already in place in the classroom.

Parents will be notified by the participating teacher if the President’s address will be a part of the day’s lesson. If you do not wish for your child to participate in the “President’s Speech to School Children”, please notify the teacher and he/she will be excused from the class for the duration of the address."

Branson Pirates Win District Advance to State

Branson Pirates Win District Advance to State Tournament Wed. (Link to Video)

Branson Pirates Get New Soccer Coach

Southwest Missouri's Soccer Guru announces Dave Brenner will be the Branson Pirates new coach.

Branson Intermediate School students signatures fly with Luke Skywalker's Light Saber to space

Space exploration is a hot topic in one Ozarks classroom this week. More than 600 sixth and seventh graders, along with faculty and administrators of Branson Intermediate School, watched as their signatures were launched into space aboard the Space Shuttle discovery shortly before noon today.

The first Friday of every May, NASA and Lockheed Martin sponsor the Student Signatures in Space® program. Sixth grade teacher, Kelly Neal, was looking for a way to get her students excited about space exploration while visiting the NASA website. When she found out about the program, she knew this would be a way to do it. Neal said, “ the kids were excited when they signed the poster last May, but, watching the shuttle lift off today made it very real for them.” Another claim the students can make is that their signatures flew with Luke Skywalker’s light saber. In honor of the 30th anniversary of the movie, Star Wars, shuttle crew members took that as well.



Branson Intermediate Elementary was chosen as one of about 500 who received the honor this year. Since the program began in 1997, more than 4 million students have participated in the Student Signatures in Space ® program.



(Written by Kathee Baird)

Branson School District to roll back taxes - Branson Missouri Hero of the Hour

The Taney County Times editor Kurt Lewis reported an increase in the Branson R4 School District valuation means a tax approved by voters in April will likely be rolled back. To stay competitive, the Branson area school district massively increased teacher salaries and levied a tax to keep Branson schools at the top of Missouri's list of best school districts.
The Branson R4 school district has long been recognized as one of the finest in the state. Funding from Branson bustling tourism economy makes this possible. Because Branson R4 schools receive more than 50% of their funding locally, they have no-fault status - which some speculated was the reason the tax increase was necessary.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts and low property valuations were cited as being problematic for the district. To Superintendent Dr. Hayter's surprise, valuation increase 22% from $522 million to $637 million.
In Lewis's article, Taney County Commissioner James Strahan was cited as telling Taney County Commissioners 11% was from an increase assessed valuation and the rest of the increase was from new construction.
Most school districts with minimal commercial withing their taxing zones have to pay higher personal property taxes. Residential property means more bodies and typically defines a deficit - that is, the taxes paid on a home for a family with three kids doesn't meet the financial burden of the school. In contrast, commercial property provides funding without creating an increased burden on classroom capacity.
The R4 school district receive 75.6% of funds from local sources in 2006 - 17.2% from the state and 7.3% from Federal sources.
The 45 cent levy increase will likely be rolled back by 15 cent per $100 assessed valuation from $3.90 to %3.75