Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'AA+' long-term rating to Cass County School District R-III (Pleasant Hill), Mo.'s series 2013 general obligation (GO) refunding bonds. Standard&Poor's also affirmed its 'AA+' long-term rating on the district's previously issued GO bonds. The outlook on the series 2013 bonds is negative, and the outlook on the previously issued debt is stable. The rating reflects Standard&Poor's assessment of the school district's eligibility for, and participation in, the Missouri Direct Deposit of State Aid program, under which the state makes direct deposits of portions of monthly state aid payments to a bond trustee. The negative outlook on the series 2013 bonds reflects our view of an escrow consisting of U.S.
