Lawmakers ask schools to organize budget needs

Missouri legislators encouraged a group of about 80 school officials from Southeast Missouri Wednesday to organize the educational needs of the region since money for schools' needs will be harder to come by with a tight state budget.

The school superintendents and their assistants gathered at Southeast Missouri State's University Center to talk with state Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, Sen. Bill Foster, R-Poplar Bluff, and six other legislators from Southeast Missouri as part of the Southeast Missouri Superintendents Association monthly meeting.

Legislators and superintendents meet annually to discuss issues that could affect schools during the coming session.

"We'll definitely be looking at the budget," Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, said. "When you start $400 million in the hole you know it's going to be a tough budget year."

Since appropriations will be harder next year, Richardson said superintendents should get to know their representatives and senators on a personal basis.

"We may not understand all of the educational aspects," he said. "That's why we need you to keep in touch with us."

Rep. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, echoed Richardson's comments. Superintendents need to put all other issues aside. Crowell said.

"We are asking you not to put one of us against the others in Jefferson City," he said. "Try, as a group, to come together and recommend what it is Southeast Missouri needs."

Cape Girardeau superintendent Dan Steska said the main reason one hasn't been made is that school leaders traditionally have sought to maintain local control. Currently, many districts base curriculum on what students will be tested on during standardized tests like the Missouri Assessment Program, but the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education changes the tests every few years.

Steska said: "With every wave of statewide tests comes a new wave of 'Who on earth wrote this test?' At this point the option of a statewide curriculum probably would be a more acceptable idea than 15 years ago."

hkronmueller@semissourian.com

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