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Issue: 813 Date: 3/23/2006
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NEA president speaks against 65-percent mandate, school vouchers
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Last week, National Education Association president Reg Weaver joined several House Democrats in speaking out against legislative proposals to undermine the state's public schools.
Weaver, who leads the 2.8-million member teachers' organization, took specific aim at Republican proposals to force all Missouri school districts to allocate 65 percent of their budgets for arbitrarily determined purposes and strip public schools of revenue in order to fund scholarships for private and parochial school tuition.
"What the public doesn't understand is that most of the proposed legislation strips control from local municipalities, and it ciphers money from poor public school districts. Missouri and America needs sound policy that will strengthen America's public schools so that every child attends a great public school," said Weaver.
Proposed by Republican Gov. Matt Blunt, the 65-percent mandate would require all of Missouri's 524 school district to earmark nearly two-thirds of their budgets for "classroom spending." Excluded from that definition are many budget items vital to running a school, including student transportation, building maintenance and library, cafeteria and nursing services. The proposal, which is part of a national campaign to impose the mandate in all 50 states, has been the subject of widespread criticism by Missouri educators. State Rep. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City) said local school boards and communities are best positioned to determine the proper spending allocations for their districts.
"This ludicrous proposal - the 65-percent 'deception' - counts football uniforms as 'classroom spending' but not library books," Chappelle-Nadal said. "Missouri's public school districts serve diverse student populations and have diverse needs. A one-size-fits-all approach would be a poor fit for Missouri."
Weaver and Chappelle-Nadal also discussed two Republican bills - House Bills1783 and Senate Bill 962 - that threaten the quality of public schools. The measures would provide tax credits to those who donate money for scholarships to private and parochial schools. The lost revenue, however, would make it more difficult for the state to meet its financial obligations to public schools, which is already widely acknowledged as being inadequate.
On Monday, the Missouri House Special Committee on Urban Issues conducted a hearing on HB 1783, legislation which is speculated to be on a fast track, according to public school advocates.
While testifying in committee, State Representative Carl Bearden (R-St. Charles), the sponsor of HB 1783, made the assertion that general revenue is not impacted by the legislation. "These are not public funds," said Bearden. However, opponents of this state tax credit bill say that there is not only the issue of state revenue being reduced, but also accountability questions as it concerns health and safety standards in private schools. Furthermore, State Senator Rita Heard Days (D-St. Louis County) stated that HB 1783 does "not address failing societal problems" such as broken families and municipalities that are cash strapped due to a declining tax base. This legislation is "an artificial goal…children need more than what is in these books."
"There are many disingenuous motives behind seeing this legislation passed, especially in an election year. This bill will probably come before the legislature when we return from spring break and folks from both side will be armed and ready to go," Chappelle-Nadal said. |
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