Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'A' rating, with a stable outlook, on Meade County Unified School District No. 226 (Meade), Kan.'s general obligation (GO) debt. The rating reflects our opinion of the district's: Good income; Strong finances on a cash basis of accounting, supported by a significant amount of state aid for general fund operations; and Low overall debt based on market value with no additional debt-financed capital needs. We believe these strengths are somewhat mitigated by, what we consider, the district's: Somewhat limited, but stable, economy; and Concentrated property tax base. The district's unlimited ad valorem tax pledge secures the bonds. The district, with a population estimate of 2,218, covers 440 square miles in southwest Kansas, where
