Teachers say Governor’s 65 percent
solution
offers no solution for Missouri schools
"Gov. Matt Blunt’s 65 percent solution is 100
percent deception and offers no solution at all for Missouri
schools,” says Greg Jung, a fifth grade teacher and
president of the Missouri National Education Association.
“Calling for 65 percent of inadequate funding to be
spent in the classroom is still inadequate and doesn’t
address the real problem that our schools and classrooms are
underfunded. If this gimmick passes, our children will still
be in overcrowded classrooms in schools with leaky roofs and
no libraries,” Jung adds.
The plan being promoted by the governor requires a minimum
of 65 percent of a school district’s operating expenses
to be spent “in the classroom.” Costs related
to libraries, counselors, building maintenance, and student
transportation are excluded from the definition of what counts
towards the 65 percent expenditure.
“The 65 percent deception imposes a ‘one-size-fits-all’
top-down mandate on very different schools with very different
needs,” notes the MNEA president. “Missouri’s
524 school districts range in size from 42,000 students to
30 students, yet this proposal treats them all alike and will
force them all—including some of our most successful
schools—to make cuts that will hurt children.”
“Such a mandate will force Missouri schools to lay
off thousands of school personnel who provide essential services
to children,” Jung says. Librarians, counselors, school
nurses, bus drivers, cooks, janitors and others fall outside
the definition of “in the classroom” expenditures
under the plan.
“Decisions about spending priorities and allocating
resources should be made by those closest to the students—local
school boards, principals, teachers and parents—not
by politicians in Jefferson City or by the out-of-state interests
that helped elect them,” adds Jung.
The 33,000-member MNEA represents teachers, education support
professionals, students studying to be teachers and retired
educators in school districts and on college campuses throughout
the state. It is the Missouri affiliate of the National Education
Association.
For further information:
Carol
K. Schmoock
MNEA Assistant Executive Director
573-634-3202
More Resources:
Lawmakers attempt to decive taxpayers
with 65 percent solution
November 4, 2005
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