From the desk of Senator David Pearce

Education Issues Take Center Stage

 Education issues have been discussed often this year in the Missouri Senate. With balancing our state budget as a main topic of interest, and education being a large part of that discussion, there has been much discussion revolving around K-12 classrooms, public universities and colleges, and other educational issues. This week, the Senate again discussed Senate Bill 291, a measure that would address a number of issues relating to charter schools, including expanding charter schools to be operated in districts other than St. Louis and Kansas City. An expansion could only be approved and operated by local school districts. A provision of the bill would require a charter school sponsor to develop the policies and procedures of that organization, by which the school would be reviewed and how the records would be held.

Currently, charter schools are only allowed in Kansas City and St. Louis. In terms of education, a charter

school is much like a traditional public school, but the administration is set up so that an independent school board is responsible for a single school, allowing the focus to be solely on the responsibility of that school. This also means that the charter school can ultimately work in a close relationship with students and families for a responsive educational experience. The “charter,” or contract, outlines definite academic and non-academic criteria that the school will reach and consequences to the school should those goals not be met, up to and including being closed or replaced. Charter schools are also held accountable, not only by the sponsoring school or university, but also by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Senate Bill 291 provides for more accountability and more transparency.

Senate Bill 247 dealing with the foundation formula was also discussed again this week. The foundation formula is a means to determine how much money each school district receives.  This year, the budget provides approximately $3.004 billion to adequately fund 522 school districts. The problem that has arisen is that, because of budget issues, in 2005, the Legislature set up a phase-in schedule of seven years, for increased foundation formula funding. However, the creators of the formula did not forsee these difficult fiscal times to provide for level or decreased funding. So, SB 247 was created in an attempt to revitalize the terms by which school districts receive their funding. The measure and its newest language allows for payments to be modified to accommodate available appropriations. It would also allow for payments to be made to school districts based on verifiable attendance in exclusively academic areas of study. In this way, we attempt to continue to fund as much as possible our state’s educational future.

As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.

Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31^st State Senatorial District.