Willard voters pass $30 million school bond
WILLARD, Mo. — Voters in Willard passed a $30 million school bond and a $0.22 tax levy transfer for the Willard School District. By passing the bond and tax levy transfer there will be no increase for taxpayers.
The district refers to the bond and tax levy transfer as Proposition One, saying they are one team and one Willard.
Superintendent Eric Wilken says these funds will be used for improvements to some of the district's aging buildings.
'We have four older buildings, the middle school, North Intermediate, North Elementary and then South Elementary,' Superintendent Wilken said. 'And all four of those need roof upgrades, window upgrades, flooring and just really maintenance.'
Along with building maintenance, the district has plans to increase safety with Proposition One. This includes a multi-purpose safe room addition to Willard East and a secure entrance at the high school.
Karen Turner is a principal at Willard North Intermediate. She says she is excited for her students and staff to be able to enjoy safer and upgraded facilities.
'I have just loved being part of this community so much and the value that they place in our schools and education,' said Principal Turner. 'And we want our students to feel comfortable. We definitely want them to feel safe. I always tell my kids that is my biggest job is to keep you safe. So these upgrades will allow us to do that.'
The school bond also allows for turf fields at the Willard South Activities field, baseball, softball, and football fields.
'I think it'll be exciting for our kids to know that we value their education during the day,' Principal Turner said. 'But also their activities after school. We're just here to support that whole child.'
High school student and baseball player Jackson Phipp says he's looking forward to future baseball teams having the opportunity to play on the renovated fields.
The district says they are grateful to the community and everyone who voted in favor of Proposition One.
'We just want to tell the whole community thanks,' Superintendent Wilken said. 'It's a huge win not only for our students but also for our whole community.'
'The word trust comes to mind. Placing our trust in our community to go out and vote, which they did. Now we're excited to get to work,' said Principal Turner. 'So I love that they're placing their trust in us to do what is right and what is best for our kids, through the vote that happened yesterday. Just so thankful for it.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
House witness flips script on Dem who ambushed him during hearing with unearthed tweet: 'Iceberg is ahead'
FIRST ON FOX: A House committee witness who was called out by Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia of California during a hearing this week is pushing back after the congressman unearthed a past social media post on Social Security in an attempt to discredit his testimony. During a House oversight DOGE subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, Garcia grilled Power the Future CEO Dan Turner while holding up a posterboard of a past tweet calling Social Security a "government-sponsored Ponzi scheme." "Madoff went to jail for it. Congress runs on it," the post said. "I should be able to keep 100% of my money and not watch government waste it with a paltry percentage return." Garcia then suggested that post was evidence that Turner lacks the credibility to be testifying about the billions of federal tax dollars directed to left-wing NGOs. Social Security Commissioner Breaks Down Plan To Save Agency From Insolvency "A Ponzi scheme and so I think it's interesting, of course, as one of our Republican witnesses is calling Social Security a Ponzi scheme, and that's the person that we should be taking advice from here today," Garcia said. Read On The Fox News App "Without Social Security, 22 million people would be pushed into poverty. That includes over 16 million seniors and nearly 1 million children. And in fact, Elon Musk has also said and agreed with you, sir, that this is a Ponzi scheme. I think it's ironic that you are one of our witnesses talking about efficiency when you want to attack the single best program that we have to support people not just out of poverty, but across this country to uplift them, to ensure they can afford a decent life." Fox News Digital spoke to Turner, who stood by his post and outlined his belief, echoed by many, that Social Security is structured like a Ponzi scheme by definition. Sen Elizabeth Warren: Social Security Is Under Attack. Gutting It Is A Broken Promise "Rep Garcia does not know the definition of Ponzi scheme," Turner said. "Social Security is the ultimate Ponzi, demanding more and more people at the bottom pay in to fund the people at the top, expect our demographics have this now reversed. The system will default. Mr. Garcia nor I will likely never see a dime. That should worry him more than my social media feed." Turner told Fox News Digital that if Garcia's staff were to spend as much time trying to save Social Security as it did "combing through my social media" then "perhaps the Ponzi scheme can survive long enough for me to get a small percentage of what the government confiscated during my lifetime." Turner explained that his father had received a "paltry percentage" of what he paid into the program and the the government "kept the rest" when his father died. "That's not just a Ponzi scheme, it's government greed and politicians running a money-laundering operation to get reelected. No one should be compelled to pay into a failed system, yet in a free America, you don't have that choice." In addition to Turner and Elon Musk suggesting that Social Security is by definition set up like a Ponzi scheme, Fox News Digital previously spoke to James Agresti, president of the nonprofit research institute Just Facts, who said the characterization has "validity." 'Failure's Not An Option': Trump Budget Bill Will Be 'Big' Help For Seniors, Top House Tax-writer Says "A Ponzi scheme operates by taking money from new investors to pay current investors," Agresti said. "That's the definition given by the SEC, and contrary to popular belief, that's exactly how Social Security operates." Agresti explained to Fox News Digital that Social Security, a program mired for decades with concerns about waste, fraud, and improper payments, "doesn't take our money and save it for us, as many people believe, and then give it to us when we're older" like many Americans might believe. "What it does is, it transfers money when we are young and working and paying into Social Security taxes," Agresti said. "That money, the vast bulk of it, goes immediately out the door to people who are currently receiving benefits. Now, there is a trust fund, but in 90 years of operation, that trust fund currently has enough money to fund two years of program operations." The trust fund only being able to last for two years is not a result of the fund being "looted," Agresti explained, but rather it was put in place to "put surpluses in it" from money that Social Security collects in taxes that it doesn't pay out immediately and pays interest on. "The interest that's been paid on that has been higher than the rate of inflation," Agresti said. "So, the problem isn't that the trust fund has been looted. The problem is that Social Security operates like a Ponzi scheme." Democrats have vocally pushed back against efforts by Republicans and DOGE to reform Social Security or make cuts to what they say are examples of wasteful or improper spending from the department. "There's been a lot of misinformation about that as of late," Agresti told Fox News Digital. "You know, when DOGE came in and suggested that the Social Security Administration cut, I think it was about 10,000 workers, Democrats erupted that this is going to weaken Social Security. But the fact of the matter is that Social Security pays those workers who are for administrative overhead from the Social Security trust fund. So, by cutting out the money that they're paying them, you actually strengthen the program financially." Agresti told Fox News Digital that the current administrative overhead for Social Security is $6.7 billion per year, which is enough to pay more than 300,000 retirees the average old-age benefit. "Every single study shows social security going completely bankrupt in the next few years. Garcia and other democrats know the iceberg is ahead but rather than turn the ship, they are yelling at the iceberg about the senior citizens onboard," Turner said. "This Ponzi scheme is collapsing fast, and turning my tweets into posters is not going to stop it."Original article source: House witness flips script on Dem who ambushed him during hearing with unearthed tweet: 'Iceberg is ahead'
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
Exclu! HUD secretary scolds NYCHA over waste, fraud, abuse
A top Trump official scolded the city's public housing agency over 'waste' and 'fraud' — and took aim at the federal monitors that have failed to clear the 'abuse', at a meeting with New York housing officials in the city Friday. U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner issued the scathing rebuke of the New York City Housing Authority Friday during a tense meeting with agency's head. 'I see a lot of waste. I see a lot of fraud, and a lot of abuse,' Turner said. 3 HUD secretary and NFL player Scott Turner (pictured), visited a NYCHA complex Friday morning. William Farrington The ex-NFL player, who was visiting NYCHA to take inventory and discuss financial management, also took aim at the agency's independent monitors — federal watchdogs that ensure NYCHA is carrying out its duties — saying their performance was lackluster. 'The monitoring is not going well at all. We need to take inventory of that. We need to ask a lot of hard questions,' he said Turner cited crime — including a recent shooting at Chelsea's Fulton-Elliot houses that left a 21-year-old dead, and the 50,000-person waiting list that NYCHA currently has despite an estimated 5,000 vacant units — as some of his primary concerns. 'This kid being killed yesterday, that's deeply disheartening to me,' said Turner. 3 Lisa Bova-Hiatt (left) the CEO of NYCHA, explained the renovations of one unit to Turner. William Farrington The federal monitorship was instated in 2019 following a series of scandals within NYCHA that drew major national criticism between 2015-2018. During this time, it was uncovered that the housing agency was covering up hazardous conditions, and falsely certifying inspections. The 2019 monitorship agreement served as a compromise between the Feds and the City to prevent a full federal takeover of the housing authority. Though it seemed to be working for a time, NYCHA took another major blow in 2024 after 70 employees were arrested on bribery charges in a shocking sweep by the Department of Investigation. Considered the largest single-day bribery takedown in history — the scheme involved about $13 million in contracts and $2 million in bribes. 3 In 2024 – 70 NYCHA employees were busted for taking bribes In a shocking sweep by the DOI. Paul Martinka The current monitors are attorneys Neil Barofsky and Matthew Cipolla of law firm Jenner and Block. They were appointed in February 2024. The previous NYCHA monitor, Bart Schwartz, made over $600 an hour. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against Jenner and Block in a seeming retaliation against emergency lawsuits filed by the firm over some of the president's executive orders — but Trumps suits were blocked by a district Judge, according to reports. Despite Turner's harsh criticisms — NYCHA CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt appeared more concerned about potential massive federal budget cuts that could be coming NYCHA's way. 'Of course (we're concerned). The budget is a concern for everyone,' she said. 'But you know, we're hopeful that what the secretary saw today will show him how very important public housing is,' said Bova-Hiatt in reference to a newly renovated NYCHA apartment toured by the HUD head. Turner defended the cuts — saying the proposed block grant model, which delivers money to the states in a lump sum vs directly to the city organization, would give rightful power back to the states. 'The proposed block grant system in our budget will be a way for the states to have skin in the game […] to identify and appropriately distribute funds where it is needed as it pertains to rental assistance and serving communities in that particular state,' he said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Texas Rep. Jolanda Jones announces bid to succeed Sylvester Turner in Congress
State Rep. Jolanda Jones, D-Houston, on Monday jumped into the race for the congressional seat left open by the death of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner, the former Houston mayor. 'The simple fact is no one will fight harder to stop Republicans from taking away our social security, our public schools, our health care, our constitutional rights and more,' Jones said in a statement announcing her campaign. Jones, an attorney and former Houston City Council member from 2008 to 2012, joins a slate of candidates running in the special election, including Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and fellow former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards. 'I am the only candidate in this race who has fought for our families in the Legislature, in the courtroom, on city council and on the school board,' said Jones, who was elected to the Texas House in 2022. 'I helped shut down Houston's corrupt crime lab, helped extend Medicaid coverage for new mothers and their babies and cut taxes for seniors and homeowners.' Turner, who also served in the Texas House before his turn in Congress, died March 5, two months into his first term representing Texas' 18th Congressional District. The district, which contains historically significant neighborhoods for Houston's Black community, had been long represented by former U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who also died in office last year amid a battle with pancreatic cancer. The special election to fill the seat will take place Nov. 4. Gov. Greg Abbott called the election for November a month after Turner's death, leaving a solidly blue seat open for most of 2025 as Republicans work to push through President Donald Trump's agenda in a closely divided House. In Congress, Jones said she would 'fight to stop Trump cuts to healthcare and Medicaid, Social Security, education and veterans,' and work to expand healthcare coverage and affordability. She also emphasized bringing back the right to an abortion. 'I've been fighting my entire career for women's rights, bodies, and voices, and will never stop working to restore abortion rights to make sure women — not politicians — make their own healthcare decisions,' said Jones, a criminal and family lawyer with her own practice. The district is a Democratic stronghold, meaning the Democratic nominee is almost certain to win the election and could hold onto the seat for years. Menefee was the first to launch his campaign, and has secured high-profile endorsements, including former U.S. Reps. Colin Allred and Beto O'Rourke, who both challenged U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. Jackson Lee's daughter, Erica Lee Carter, is serving as his campaign chair after briefly representing the district after her mother's death. Jones said she 'deferred' her decision to run until the legislative session concluded this week so that she could focus on representing her constituents in the Texas House, where she served on the criminal jurisprudence, public health and redistricting committees. She was also the vice chair of the subcommittee on juvenile justice. 'I promised my constituents I would fight for them every day through the end of the legislative session — and I did exactly that,' she said. During the session, Jones worked closely with both Republicans and Democrats, including on legislation to ensure that certain criminal defendants are not held behind bars pretrial for periods longer than the maximum sentence for the alleged offense. Jones, a four-time national track and field champion, one-time contestant on CBS' Survivor and LGBTQ advocate who often speaks about her upbringing in poverty and familial tragedy, previously served on the Houston ISD Board of Trustees. One of her Republican colleagues, whom she worked with on the criminal jurisprudence committee, quickly gave a word of praise upon her announcement. 'This woman,' Rep. Mitch Little, R-Lewisville, posted on social media, 'is truly a forced to be reckoned with.' Big news: 20 more speakers join the TribFest lineup! New additions include Margaret Spellings, former U.S. secretary of education and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center; Michael Curry, former presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church; Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. Representative, D-El Paso; Joe Lonsdale, entrepreneur, founder and managing partner at 8VC; and Katie Phang, journalist and trial lawyer. Get tickets. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
