Standard&Poor's Ratings Services has assigned its 'AA+' rating to Cass County School District R-III (Pleasant Hill), Mo.'s GO refunding bonds series 2004A and 2004B. In addition, Standard&Poor's has affirmed its 'AA+' rating on the district's outstanding debt. The 'AA+' rating reflects the school district's eligibility and participation in the Missouri Direct Deposit of State Aid Program, in which the state makes direct deposits of portions of monthly state aid payments to a bond trustee. The program, which enhances local school district GO bonds, provides for a first-dollar claim on monthly state aid, which will be directly deposited to a master bond trustee. State aid covers maximum annual program debt service at least 1.5x. The district has