Facility updates, state legislation and tax levies topped the agenda during the August meeting of the West Plains R-7 School Board.
Board members voted to accept the recommendation of Superintendent Dr. Wes Davis to set the district’s property tax rate at $3.7301 per $100 of assessed valuation. The approved rate reflects a slight increase of roughly 4 cents over last year’s levy of $3.6883 per $100 of assessed valuation.
Davis explained that real estate assessed valuations rose by $996,000 over the past year, while personal property valuations fell by $930,000. That resulted in a net increase of $66,000 in total valuation, which Davis characterized as "pretty much flat" compared to the district's five-year average. New revenue generated from reassessments is projected at $54,637 — a 0.70% increase. No public comments were offered during the required tax rate hearing.
Building administrators also presented updates on building improvements, academic programming and enrollment. Improvements included fresh paint and carpet in West Plains Middle School trailers and the campus library, along with fresh paint in both middle school gymnasiums.
Southern Missouri Technical Institute Director Dr. Josh Cotter highlighted student achievements, noting recent graduate Finnian Pendergrass placed seventh nationally in the carpentry division at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta.
Deputy Superintendent Matt Orchard noted the district’s success in recruiting former students back as educators, pointing to the high number of Zizzer alumni among this year’s new faculty additions.
Orchard also touched upon new state legislation, including Missouri House Bill 2292, which mandates that districts report incidents of animal abuse as a potential indicator of sexual abuse, due to established psychological links between the two.
Additionally, Missouri school districts face a new A-through-F grading framework adopted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to evaluate school performance. The initial ratings are expected in spring 2027 based on 2025-26 academic data, with subsequent annual reports issued each September for individual schools and the district as a whole.
Both Orchard and Davis cautioned that DESE is still finalizing evaluation metrics, making advance preparation difficult for public schools. Davis noted that private schools remain exempt from the mandatory grading system unless they choose to participate voluntarily.
Regarding campus safety, Orchard confirmed the district is fully staffed with seven school resource officers — four provided through the Howell County Sheriff’s Office and three through the West Plains Police Department.
West Plains High School Principal Ryan Smith commended staff members for a smooth start to the school year and noted strong participation in summer school programs, which drew 450 students compared to 401 the previous summer. Smith added that administration is encouraging more high schoolers to complete core graduation requirements during summer term options.
