Billboard

I saw this billboard driving down highway 54 and had to take a picture with my cell...

Crisis in Missouri Education

Missouri's education in facing very hard times right now. There are so many things going on and strong action needs to be taken now! I am not even sure where to start... First, about half of the school districts in Missouri have been suing the state for more money. Luckily, some districts have been smart and pulled out and others should really follow suit. This article, in the Columbia Tribune, shows more details about the case and why people should pull out.

Secondly, looking at St. Louis Public schools, it is so upsetting what I am learning about this. The schools have been unaccredited and the parents would like to have their kids switch districts. Legally, they are allowed to do so and have their district foot the bill. However, the other districts have been turning these students away. Thirdly, bring me to the special needs students. Many children with special needs need to have a tailored fit education. If their schools are not capable of doing this, they should be allowed to attend schools that are, even if the schools happen to be a private or have religious affiliation. Beyond these issues that are dear to my heart, there are many other issues we all need to confront and do something about them.

Adequacy Lawsuit

The adequacy lawsuit taking place in the fine state of Missouri has been getting a lot of press. I was happy to hear the judge's decisions so far, ruling in favor of the state. So now that Liberty has pulled out of the lawsuit and other districts need to follow suit. It is very disconcerting to me that I pay money in taxes for education, yet some of those funds are now being used for a lawsuit I do not agree with. The schools do not need more money, they need something else. Money has not fixed the schools in the past, why would they be fixed in the future. There are so many other options out there. Maybe some people have not heard of them.

Let's start with the teachers, Merit Pay for Missouri Teachers or Missouri Supporting Teaching Excellence are some sites I found with good info.

Choice is a huge issue that needs to be seriously considered for Missouri. Our schools are hurting and we need to do something. Your Child, Your Choice, right? At least it should be.

When you realize that money is not what the schools need, please call your school districts and convince them to follow Liberty's example and get out of this case.

Liberty

“Liberty has pulled out of the school adequacy case and I think we should follow suit. Why should the taxpayers in Independence be paying for a lawsuit we do not agree with. The judge already made his ruling and the school districts lost. Why would they insist on appealing and wasting more money. This money should be going to the schools, paying for more important things, for things most people deem important. We need to contact our district and let him know that we want to pull out. After all, it is our schools and our money at risk here.

You can email Annette Miller, the secretary of the board and express your concerns: amiller@indep.k12.mo.us

Just how long can we let this continue? It has been going on long enough and it is time to get out now before we watch more money go down the drain.”

Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Political Death:

submitted by: angrydad

The Kansas City Prime Buzz reports that Liberty School District announced that, after $42,000 of taxpayer money wasted on a failed lawsuit against the state, it was time to hang up the plaintiff attorney handouts. As a taxpayer - you have to ask - what took you so long? As a Missouri citizen, thank goodness that the Liberty School District found their school board priorities again - your community. I guess it could be worse - I heard that Columbia public schools has squandered nearly twice that even with some scandals of personal abuse on their local school board.

Parents, Pupils, & Progress:

Submitted by: urbangirl

Yesterday’s Rodney Hubbard statement in favor of improving student learning in the city was encouraging: someone focused around the children’s best interest, not failing institutions. Everyone can argue all that they want about who should pick up the pieces, but make no mistake – it is immoral to ignore what is best for these 30,000 St. Louis City children who cannot wait, nor move. Until parents have a legitimate right to choose the best school for their child, then parents and their children are indeed the victims.

State Lawsuit

Submitted by Missourian2009

It has recently been brought to my attention that several school districts have been in a court battle to get more money from the state for education. According to what I have found, they have spent over $4.6 million of the taxpayers’ money on this case. And to make matters worse, they lost the case. And then knowing they never notified the public of how they were going to use their money upsets me. And, the cherry on top…they may appeal this case! I wonder if they are going to ever ask the public if they approve…which I adamantly do not approve.

We need to all call our schools, our state board of education, our superintendents, and let them know we do not approve of this nonsense!!!

An Interesting NPO

The former mayor of Indiana has formed an interesting NPO the focus of which is to bring innovative education ideas to their community. He’s looking for “entrepreneurial leaders and organizations who are willing to reimagine public education.” Take a look, you’ll find some very creative thinking. Just the kind that we need here in Missouri.

Parents Deserve to Know Where School Money Goes

Submitted by: Dania

As news of the Springfield public school foundation heralds the benefits of citizen support of our local schools, there’s no doubt that athletics can cloud our local priorities compared to improving our reading, math, or science scores. However, on the issue of school districts using taxpayer monies to sue the state for more money, the fundamental foul here seems that few if any members of the voting public knew anything about the rising cost of a $4.6M taxpayer-funded suit. While I was glad to hear that some districts, like Springfield, dropped out of the case once the General Assembly increased funding for education, what about the other districts still on this crusade? I would be furious if my local school board didn’t tell me that this suit would waste $81,000. If the school districts have that kind of discretionary dollars lying around, and used it for community needs instead of plaintiff attorneys, maybe we wouldn’t have these shortfalls in the first place.

Textbooks, Not Taxpayer-Funded Litigation

Submitted by: teachersfirst

Ever since the Associated Press broke the story about the $4.6M spent by school districts using your taxpayer dollars, Missouri citizens have started speaking up. To be fair, many school districts never participated in this boondoggle since 2004, and many more have stopped the crusade since the new education formula was funded after 2005. The only way to really know about your school district is probably to ask your local school board. In response to today’s Southeast Missourian editorial, all that I can say is…right on!

When Public School Transfers Don’t Transfer

Submitted by: johnqpublic

With all of the controversy surrounding St. Louis Public Schools, it seems ironic that some parents this fall were actually trying hard to enroll their children back in the City even though they lived in St. Louis County. But, as the St. Louis Post Dispatch recently-pointed out: few options really exist for parents that need new choices. Missing in this article was that parents caught in this pinch between public school districts cannot even apply for a public charter school option, either. Now, call me naïve, but isn’t it time to figure out some way for parents to have a public school option available to them without requiring them to move?