New AG R-4 Supt. Medlin receives ‘warm welcome’

Ash Grove head looks to secure bond money, tax levy increase for district improvements
Since he took the helm in the Ash Grove R-IV School District as Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Shane Medlin has been working to create new relationships with the people in the area. Now over a month into the job, he said he expects the 2024-25 school year in Ash Grove will be excellent.
“I expect a great year ahead of us,” he said. “Any time there is a transition with leadership in a district, there is a learning curve and time to calibrate. Ash Grove has an amazing group of teachers and leaders who are all ready to move forward together. I have been impressed by the community support and the great staff members who are willing to step up and do whatever is asked to support students.”
Ash Grove a “close-knit community”
Medlin said that when he took the district’s lead, he believed he was coming into a neighborly atmosphere. The district, he said, has lived up to those expectations.
“It has been a month full of learning about the people of Ash Grove and what makes this a great school and community,” he said. “The district and community are living up to the close knit and family feel I expected and have heard about for Ash Grove.”
In addition to being an educator, Medlin is also the father to two children who are students in the district. He said his kids both had a great first day of school.
“I have a daughter who started seventh grade at (Ash Grove) Junior High School and a fourth-grade son starting at Bois D’Arc this year,” he said. “Both have shared about how wonderful their teachers are, and they have met some great kids and new friends from the summer and start to the school year.
On the first day of school, my youngest shared that he knew he had the best teacher because great teachers make you feel comfortable and welcome, and she did that.  He said it (Ash Grove) just feels right. Their endorsement makes my dad and superintendent’s heart feel good about our district.”
Medlin hopes for no-tax-increase bond issue, tax levy increase to meet growing needs of district
As the year progresses, Medlin hopes that the district will back a no-tax-increase bond issue to help the district meet the growing needs of the students.
“My desire is for us to have a united school district and to further connect the school and community,” he said. “Our district has grown by 45 students already this year. From learning space needs to roofing and HVAC issues that need to be addressed, we will be asking voters to support a no tax increase bond issue to address many needs around the district. We will be paying off one of our General Obligation Bonds this year. Approving this no tax increase bond issue will allow us to maintain our bonding capacity to take care of needs across all Ash Grove school buildings impacting all Ash Grove students.”
Additionally, Medlin said the district will be asking voters for a tax levy increase due to new demands on the district’s budget. He believes many of Ash Grove’s families will be receptive to this.
“The last tax levy increase in Ash Grove was in 1992,” he said. “As we all know, prices in the world have increased over the past 32 years, but our school budget has stayed relatively the same. The district has done much with the available resources, but new state legislation requires the minimum teacher salary to increase to $40,000. Also, the state legislature has passed a large tax relief bill. This tax relief pushes the burden for support for local schools back to our local communities instead of sending the monies to the state and then back to our schools. Local tax efforts are going to be of great importance in supporting our schools and students moving forward. After meeting many of the families and community members of Ash Grove and seeing their heart for our students and their pride in our school district, I am extremely confident we will be able to tackle these needs to support our students.”
Medlin also said he is grateful to the people of Ash Grove for readily accepting him.
“I would just like to thank the Ash Grove community for their warm welcome to me and my family,” he said.