EDUCATORS, LAWMAKERS SWAP VIEWS; TEACHERS REQUEST REWRITTEN FORMULA

Teachers and administrators from Southeast Missouri school districts told their state legislators Saturday that more money is needed for education immediately.

They also urged state officials to provide adequate funding for new programs they start to benefit education.

Legislators encouraged the educators to become more active in the political process, to see that parents of schoolchildren are registered to vote and to keep their communities informed so citizens understand what the school system is doing.

The educators and legislators discussed a wide range of topics at the annual legislative forum of the Southeast Missouri District of the Missouri State Teachers Association.

A major topic was the re-writing of Missouri's school foundation formula, which legislators hope to complete this year. Rep. Ollie Amick, D-Benton, a member of the education committee and a 27-year school board veteran, said even if a new formula is passed there are not enough funds available to fully fund it.

"We need new money in the foundation formula and we need it this year," said Bob Buchanan, superintendent of schools in Sikeston.

Another teacher noted that she was laid off from one school last year, even though her degree is in biology, chemistry and physics, generally regarded as safe teaching areas.

"I think all of us are feeling very insecure now," she said. "We feel something should be done. ... I fear small school districts are in trouble."

Most legislators expressed support for allocating one-third of the state's budget to elementary and secondary education, but admitted it would be difficult to do right now with tight finances and needs in all areas of state government.

"I think it's a good approach," said Amick.

Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, said requiring a certain percentage for education would be good. He added though that because of other needs, it would be difficult to do.

"To me, allocating a third would solve the problem of education having to come back year after year for more money," said Schwab.

Sally Elrod, a teacher in the Clearwater school system at Piedmont, suggested that legislators might want to provide the same intensity of effort to education funding as they have done this year in getting a gas tax passed.

Elrod also told the legislators that it is time to stop approving new programs to improve education without ensuring they are properly funded to be implemented.

Rep. Joe Driskill, D-Poplar Bluff, said he is for allocating one-third to education, but said he is unsure where the money would come from and how to phase it in.

Driskill joined with others at the meeting in expressing frustration over the funds being taken for the desegregation program in St. Louis and Kansas City. He said if that money is taken into account, education is already receiving a third of the budget.

He pointed out that in Fiscal Year 1980, the year before the state began paying for desegregation in St. Louis, 34.5 percent of the state's budget went to elementary and secondary education. It has dropped down to 26 percent. But if you added the amount now going for desegregation costs, the amount is still 34.5 percent.

"That is just another reason to be very angry at what is happening," said Driskill.

Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn, D-Sikeston, said Missouri would not be having trouble funding education if it weren't for the desegregation costs. "The $300 million desegregation we are paying is where the money problem is in this state," he said.

Ziegenhorn said he supports allocating one third for education of the total budget.

Rep. James Graham, D-Fred~ericktown, explained that in passing the gas tax, legislators are hoping to generate more revenues that will enable them to increase funding for education.

"Hopefully, this gas tax will help get people working, who in turn will produce revenue for the state," said Graham.

Driskill also pointed out that education has had funding increases the last few years. He noted that since he and Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, were elected in 1982, funding for education has increased $500 million.

But most of that money came from growth during the good economic times of the 1980s. "Now that the economy is bad, many people think that money is still there, but it's not," said Driskill. "The psychology of the 1980s is somehow going to have to be changed; we have to pay for programs.

"People tend to think they will get something for nothing."

Getting additional funding for education requires strong leadership from the executive branch, stressed Driskill. He explained that legislators have to be concerned about the needs of schools in their own districts; however, the governor has the ability to look at the total picture and pull everyone together.

"I think legislators are committed to doing what we can for education," said Driskill.

Amick agreed that eventually, some type of tax increase for education will have to occur.

"Sooner or later, we are going to have to have a tax increase," said Amick. "I'm in favor of some kind of a tax for education to fully fund the foundation formula."

Rep. Marilyn Williams, D-Dudley, pointed out that legislators from Southeast Missouri work closely together on problems like education, and said she appreciates the good rapport she has with school districts.

"We're working our tails off trying to help," said Williams. "Some of our colleagues are surprised at all the mail we receive from teachers and the way we are able to work with school superintendents."

Kasten added, "I can promise you we'll keep working at it and that we do value education as a priority."

Kasten stressed the importance of letting people know about the many good programs going on in school districts.

"We need to do a better job of selling total education to people," said Kasten, a former school board member in the Cape Girardeau district. "I think it is also important to increase teacher participation in the process."

Graham said the kind of money problems facing Missouri are also facing other states. Getting more money for education "has to be a grassroots effort," Graham said.

Several teachers indicated they are disappointed that Gov. John Ashcroft has not done more for education during his two terms, even though he portrayed himself as the "education governor."

Graham and Ziegenhorn were among the legislators at the forum urging the teachers to listen very carefully to the gubernatorial candidates and their positions on education.