Bloomberg Businessweek named Belle Plaine, KS as the 6th best place to raise kids in the United States. It also names the city as the best place to raise kids in Kansas.
The magazine’s evaluation process looked at “4,169 places with a crime index less than 10 percent above the national average, populations between 1,000 and 50,000 people, and median family income within 20 percent of the state median, using data from real estate information firm Onboard Informatics.” It considered “educational factors (such as school scores, the number of public and private schools, and colleges), economic factors (including median family income, expenses, job growth, and unemployment), crime, amenities (such as child day-care centers, zoos, aquariums, museums, theaters, recreation centers, green space), air quality, and ethnic diversity. School performance, expenditures, and income were given the most weight.”
Read the Businessweek article here.
The Wellington Daily News reports that (understandably) local government officials are pleased:
Mayor Ray La Boeuf was very pleased to see his beloved town being nationally recognized.
“I think of Belle Plaine as an old fashioned town with people taking care of people. We’re close knit,” stated La Boeuf.
“Wow, I think of all those who have served and now serve Belle Plaine in any capacity. This honor speaks so highly of all our people.”“And,” he added, “we do have a tremendous school system.”
Dr. Rose Kane, USD 357 Superintendent, added more to the description of Belle Plaine schools.
“Technologically, we are in great shape. Pre K through 12 has access and networking. Laptops and IPADS are accessible to teachers and students alike.”
KWCH has a video story on this topic: