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Election issues loom for school funding
DEXTER - As voters ready to go to the ballot box on Tuesday, August, 5, there are some issues that at least one person believes they should take into serious consideration.
According to Jim Kreider, Executive Director of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association, at least one ballot issue could potentially be detrimental to Missouri public schools. Kreider spoke to a room full of retired teachers from Stoddard County at the Hickory Log on Monday.
"The issue concerns having a veterans lottery," explained Kreider. "The concern is how that money will come from the lottery fund, which is already not funding the schools like it should."
Kreider, who is from Jefferson City, continued to explain that public schools in Missouri are very underfunded and will continue to be.
"Our schools are currently underfunded by over $600 million right now," Kreider said. "And our legislators, for some reason, decided to enact $1.5 billion in tax cuts this year."
The reason for Kreider's concern, stems from the fact that schools are funded by the state's general revenue.
"IF the schools are funded by the general revenue, and they're already underfunded, then what does that mean for school funding with all these tax cuts our legislators have passed?" asked Kreider. "The state authorized approximately $700 million in tax exemptions for certain groups and organizations. How does that help our schools?"
Kreider said his concern also stems from the fact that Missouri Lottery revenue did not meet projected expectations.
"In Missouri, two-thirds of lottery prize money is given away," Kreider explained. "So, there's talk that maybe they shouldn't give quite as high a percentage of prize money."
With a lottery fund not performing to expectations, Kreider said a veterans lottery would further compound the issue.
"With the tax cuts (the legislature) imposed, schools are needing every available penny they can get," Kreider explained. "The funding formula for the education system hasn't been fully funded like it was supposed to since 2005."
Kreider said the state has a projected budget shortfall, so the thought of possibly losing more money is of even greater concern.
"Teachers are public servants," Kreider exclaimed. "As public servants they deserve a decent retirement. I don't understand why some people seem so intent on going after public servants. Teachers are educated professionals and they deserve better treatment than they're getting."
An analysis by the non-profit Missouri Budget Project found that the basic state aid to schools is about $656 million short of what's called for under a 2005 law that changed the funding formula. The shortfall amounts to approximately $700 per student throughout the state.
"What people need to realize when they head to the polls is that it really does matter who they elect," Kreider said. "Voters need to educate themselves. They also need to ask the tough questions, like: 'Do you support public schools?' or 'Are you in favor of school vouchers?
"The average voter needs to know who they're voting for and what that person represents. It affects all of us and it definitely affects our children and our education system."