Greetings Bulldog Nation,
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and getting recharged for the upcoming school year. I am excited to start my 31st year in education and 27th year in Harrisburg. I can’t believe it has gone by so fast. Last year was a banner year for the district in all three buildings. I had so many staff members and students tell me that it was their best year ever, both in and out of the classroom. I am hoping it will be an even better year for 2025-2026.
As I mentioned in the previous post, the Harrisburg School District is at a crossroads in our history. We have risen to become a leader in many aspects as a school district. It has been a concentrated effort by the entire district and community to make this happen. Here are a few examples of the progress our district has made.
We continuously attract and retain great educators and staff. In an era where many schools struggle to fill positions, we consistently draw from a strong candidate pool, attracting both experienced teachers from other districts and a mix of bright, enthusiastic young educators. Our classified staff continues to support our school with pride and excellence.
The Harrisburg School District is providing a safe environment on campus and during student transportation. We have implemented security upgrades, provided training, and updated our fleet of buses. Our facility upgrades have been strategically planned and continue to be reviewed as we move forward.
We are a leader in technology, with a 1-to-1 device ratio for grades 2-12. Our classrooms are equipped with the latest devices to help our students stay current in an ever-changing world.
We are setting our students up for success by providing them with opportunities to explore various career paths and discover what the world has to offer on their journey to success.
Bulldog Nation is coming off a banner year outside the classroom. We are experiencing success on the fields, in the gyms, on the courses, and on the track. We continue to instill Bulldog Pride throughout our community. Our extracurricular activities have had a tremendous year, with our band being second to none, competitive quiz bowl teams, and a highly successful speech and drama program.
It is exciting to be part of such a great district, especially since it is my hometown and has been part of my family for generations, with hopes of continuing that legacy. However, it is decision time; being an industry leader is challenging, and staying at the top is even harder. It requires revenue, time, and effort to keep providing the best opportunities for our students. The District has decided to ask our voters for a 50-cent increase in our operating tax levy and to approve a permanent Prop C Waiver. Please look for Proposition Harrisburg Schools on the ballot. We need everyone to voice their opinion on August 5th.
We understand we are seeking a financial commitment for our students and the school district. Here is the formula to estimate what it will cost your household.
The formula to calculate your estimated monthly tax increase is shown below:
Go to “showmeboone.com/assessor,” the county website.
Real Property-Search
Owners' Last Name - fill in the blank.
Current Appraised number (which is significantly lower than if you had your house appraised by a private company).
Current assessed number – this is the figure used for the calculation increase.
Example: A $200,000 appraised property is assessed at $38,000.
Formula $200,000 x.19 (assessment rate) = $38,000.
$38,000 x .50 (tax increase) = $19,000
$19,000 divided by 100 = $190
$190 divided by 12 months = paying an extra $15.83 a month
Have a great rest of your summer! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at combss@harrisburg.k12.mo.us or 573-875-5604.
Thank you!
Steve Combs
Superintendent of Schools
Harrisburg RVIII SD
GO BULLDOGS!
