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Keynote speaker, Andrew McCrea, shared stories Friday morning with St. Joseph School District employees during the 2008 Convocation at Civic Arena.

St. Joseph School District Superintendent Melody Smith emphasized the importance of two upcoming ballot proposals during Friday morning’s annual convocation that welcomes back district staff.

Dr. Smith stressed the need for the two proposals: renewal of a property tax that funds a portion of the district’s operating budget (salaries, electricity bills, etc.) and a new property tax that would fund a plan to open and close schools.

She also revealed the district’s priority order.

Renewal of the operating budget tax — a 63 cents per $100 of assessed valuation tax — is priority No. 1, she said. Passage of the tax will help the district maintain what it has, she said.

“It is essential and crucial that we renew the 63 cents,” she said.

The proposed new tax, likely a 20 to 25 cents per $100 of assessed valuation tax, is the second priority, she said. District officials say the plan for opening and closing schools seeks to better align schools with where students live as well as run the district more efficiently.

The proposals will hit voters in April.

Dr. Smith was optimistic about the vision while she spoke to staff.

“It’s going to happen,” she said.

The district is in the process of acquiring land for two of the proposed new schools — a new elementary school to serve the growing northeast St. Joseph population and a new school that would merge Neely and Hall elementary schools’ students and staff together.

Friday’s event served as a pep rally, with speakers motivating staff for the new school year and individual schools showing school spirit with noisemakers, pompoms and coordinated clothing.

St. Joseph Board of Education president Diane Watson told staff about one woman’s secret to success and urged staff to think that way when working with students, co-workers and themselves.

“She said, ‘You attribute to a person the qualities you want them to have, and then you keep expecting them to behave as if they had those qualities,” Ms. Watson said.

Nancy Hull can be reached

at nancyhull@npgco.com.