CHICAGO (Standard&Poor's) July 17, 2014--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said that it assigned its 'AA+' long-term rating and 'A' school issuer credit rating (ICR) to Bates County R-III School District (Adrian), Mo.'s series 2014 general obligation (GO) school refunding bonds. Standard&Poor's also affirmed its 'AA+' rating on the district's existing GO debt. The outlook on all ratings is stable. The 'AA+' ratings are based on participation in the Missouri Direct Deposit program, in which the state makes direct deposits of portions of monthly state aid payments to a bond trustee. "The 'A' school ICR reflects our view of the district's general creditworthiness, including its stable tax base and adequate-to-good incomes," said Standard&Poor's credit analyst