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Schools
It is undisputed that one of the most important
issues addressed by individuals and businesses alike when relocating
is the quality of the schools. The Blue Springs School District has
perennially been among the absolute best in the state. We know the
schools lure in people and businesses, yet our residential and
commercial population have not grown at the rate of our neighbors.
What’s keeping them away? Lack of new and existing homes?
Difficulty (or at the very least perceived difficulty) in conducting
business? Why the people and businesses that are attracted to us
because of our schools being kept?
Ten out of twelve area school districts have a
higher average cost per pupil than Blue Springs. The District
is 8% below the state average. If Blue Springs spent the state
average per pupil, the District would require an additional $7.2
million dollars. Moreover, 90% of the districts in the state have higher
administrative costs than Blue Springs. These numbers show that the
School District is a wise steward of the funds they have.
The City recently accepted a bid for management
of the pool at Baumgardner Park. The accepted bid came from a pool
management firm in St. Louis. Although we have requested and not
yet received confirmation from the City, the accepted bid was
reportedly $27,000 higher than the bid proposed by the Blue Springs
School District, which has a vested interest in the proper
management of the pool, along with individuals with the proper
credentials and experience to run it efficiently. Why was a
significantly higher out-of-town bid given preference to our own
school district? Would it not been at least worth a one-year
trial? Will our state champions have the pool access needed?
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