PROP B: OFFICIALS BACK PLAN AT VIDEO CONFERENCE

Passage of Proposition B is essential for improving education in Missouri, three state education officials said Thursday in a satellite television broadcast.

Charles McClain, commissioner of higher education, said the $385 million tax-and-reform measure provides incentives for improving education at all levels. He added that he doesn't know of any entity that has been "starved into excellence."

He said he wouldn't be supporting Proposition B were it not providing for some "substantive changes" in education.

McClain predicted voters will approve the measure.

Joel D. Denney, deputy commissioner of education in the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, said Proposition B could make "good schools, better schools."

He said it provides additional funding for schools tied to programs designed to improve education.

"Proposition B gives us a chance to do something about the financial situation that many schools in our state are experiencing," he said.

Carol Gamble of Farmington, president of the Missouri School Boards Association termed Proposition B, "critical and historic."

She said, "This is a critical time in education in Missouri."

McClain, Denney and Gamble discussed Proposition B and fielded questions on the Nov. 5 ballot measure during a one-hour live broadcast, originating from the Edward D. Jones & Co. office in St. Louis.

The broadcast was viewed by educators and civic leaders at the stockbroker company's 96 offices in Missouri. The three education officials answered questions posed by viewers, including individuals from Poplar Bluff and Jackson.

Six local education officials and leaders viewed the broadcast from stockbroker Bob Etherton's Edward D. Jones office in Cape Girardeau.

The broadcast also included taped comments from business leaders and state officials.

"As a business leader, I know the value of a good education," said David Glass, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

He said a "well trained, well educated work force" is vital for business success.

James Mathewson, president pro tem of the Missouri Senate and a key architect of Proposition B, said the measure has garnered the support of a broad coalition of political, education and business leaders.

Gov. John Ashcroft described Proposition B as "the best thing we can do for the future of our children."

He added, "This is an opportune time to offer to the people a chance to improve education in Missouri."

McClain, Denney and Gamble said Proposition B would provide real reform and accountability in education, including efforts to reduce class sizes in primary grades.

Among other things, Proposition B would provide an additional $165 million a year of school-foundation funding for the first four years and $150 million a year after that.

But Denney said the money would only be allocated after the foundation formula is revised by the legislature and approved by the governor.

He said he expects the legislature would seek to revise the formula in the next legislative session if voters approve Proposition B next month.

If the formula is revised next spring, the additional foundation funding could be allocated for the first time in the 1992-93 school year, Denney said.

Gamble said that even if Proposition B doesn't pass, a new formula for distributing state aid to schools will be developed. "In all likelihood without the passage of Proposition B, we will have the courts deciding a formula for us," she said.

One provision of Proposition B would provide for alternative certification of teachers.

Gamble said this will allow school districts to use persons with expertise in some academic areas, but who do not have teaching degrees.

She said she believes such people would probably serve on a part-time basis. "I don't see it as an attempt to go around or do an end run around the teaching profession," she stated.

Denney said Proposition B revenue would only be earmarked for education for 10 years, after which the money would go into the general revenue fund unless otherwise allocated by the General Assembly.