issues and our continued support for STEM and innovative learning. The $95.5 million ... Engineering and Mathematics in
On April 4, Rockwood voters will consider Proposition T (Thrive) to address enrollment issues and our continued support for STEM and innovative learning. The $95.5 million bond issue will not raise the current tax rate.
Stanton Elementary School Throughout the Stanton Elementary School community, the bond issue would address the following in our feeder schools: Innovative Learning - Elementary, Middle and High Schools • creating and equipping innovative learning spaces in all elementary schools to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in our curriculum • expanding the implementation of the one-to-one, student-to-technology program in all middle and high schools Elementary Class Sizes – Increasing Enrollment • building a new Eureka elementary school to address increasing student enrollment in Rockwood • repurposing the existing school for early childhood education programs Cycle Maintenance - All Schools • performing preventative maintenance: roofing, flooring, heating/cooling, playgrounds, parking lots, safety needs and energy efficiency Visit us online: www.rsdmo.org/PropT
Paid for by the Rockwood School District • Dr. Eric Knost, Superintendent • 111 E. North Street in Eureka, Missouri
“About 2,300 homes are expected to be built in the district in the next five years. The timing and reasons for this bond issue are driven primarily by the potential compromise to our recent class size efforts, especially in our elementary grades. The growth that is coming has the potential to ripple a redistricting effort districtwide, while also sending class sizes in the wrong direction. Overall, the main focus is our need for additional space and continued support for our STEM/Innovation efforts.” - Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Eric Knost
Proposition T will not alter the current Rockwood
tax rate. A four-sevenths (57.14 percent) majority is necessary for passage on April 4 Election Day. Why is Rockwood experiencing an increase in student enrollment?
About 2,300 homes are expected to be built in the district in the next five years. The timing and reasons for this bond issue are driven primarily by the compromise to our recent class size efforts, especially in our elementary grades. Projections of increases in student enrollment led district officials to review current capacity in our schools. We evaluated how much space is available in each school – realizing the calculations are different at the elementary, middle and high school levels. We also considered our curriculum and the learning spaces needed to meet the needs of instruction. During the last few years, the district has made a concentrated effort to decrease class sizes at our elementary schools. Our preferred Rockwood class sizes have made a difference in our elementary schools as we move toward the state’s desirable class size numbers.
What is the one-to-one, student-to-technology program?
Rockwood will use funds from Prop T to expand upon its one-to-one technology program that was launched with sixth-grade students in January 2017. Under this program, students are issued Chromebooks. They take the device home at the end of the school day, where they can continue learning, and bring it back to school the next day. With digital curriculum and online collaboration with teachers, students learn to dig deeper, apply knowledge and solve problems. Teachers are using technology to assess student learning, almost as it happens. Teachers can individualize lessons, re-teach if needed, and move on when students understand. All of this improves student achievement.
Why is Rockwood focusing on innovative learning in our schools?
Educators have known for a long time that hands-on, experiential activities engage more students. In Rockwood, we have made a concentrated effort to provide more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education to prepare our students for the future. Funds from Prop T will fund the creation of innovative learning spaces in all Rockwood elementary schools. These spaces will become collaborative K-5 classrooms that are equipped for robotics, computer programming, STEM+ maker spaces, 3D design in prototyping, and invention kits in arts/engineering. In addition, we will continue our final phase of STEM lab renovation in our high schools. Being a critical thinker and problem solver is one of the most essential skills for students to be successful. Employers are looking for individuals who can solve problems in innovative ways, and we want to provide our Rockwood students every opportunity to find their place in the global workforce. Funds from Prop T will be used for the facilities and equipment to provide this innovative instruction.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PROP T • Visit us online: www.rsdmo.org/PropT • Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/rockwoodschools • View our Facebook page: facebook.com/Rockwood.School.District Paid for by the Rockwood School District • Dr. Eric Knost, Superintendent • 111 E. North Street in Eureka, Missouri
