SAFETY, FUNDING ISSUES TOP LIST

School funding, safe schools and teacher welfare were the key issues discussed at a meeting of about 110 Southeast Missouri teachers and legislators Saturdya.

The Southeast District of the Missouri State Teachers Association held its annual legal workshop at Drury Lodge to discuss possible legislation changes with lawmakers.

More than 90 percent of Missouri's teachers are members of MSTA.

State Reps. Rocky Johnson, Wayne Crump, Mary Kasten, Marilyn Williams, Joe Heckemeyer and State Sens. J.T. Howard and Peter Kinder all spoke at the event. Chief of Staff Lloyd Smith represented U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson.

"It gives us a chance to let legislators mingle with teachers to discuss legislative educational topics," said Sheryl Smith, the field coordinator of the local MSTA. She cited retirement issues and the Safe Schools Act as other top concerns in the classroom.

The teachers suggested legislative changes that they hope would improve situations in schools.

The MSTA issued a list of their legislative priorities for 1997, including school funding, teacher welfare, elections, school environment, retirement benefits and professional negotiations. The lists were also provided to legislators.

The organization supports legislation granting the St. Louis and Kansas City school districts the ability to locally generate alternative revenue. Supporters believe this move would help those districts to secure financial stability to aid in the settlement of court-ordered desegregation.

The funds used in desegregation in Kansas City especially eats up state money that could be used in other areas in Missouri.

It was also recommended to legislators that the statewide minimum salary requirement for teachers currently contained in the law be increased. They also suggested a continuation of a reduced teacher/student ration program.

Members also urged the enactment of legislation that would authorize passage of all school levies and bond issues by a simple majority and vowed to oppose legislation seeking to reduce the number of annual school election dates.

School environment was discussed by teachers and legislators at the meeting. MSTA members said they support legislation requiring all students to be held responsible and accountable for maintaining a safe school environment.

Some questioned whether a proposed concealed weapons law would make their jobs more difficult.

Overall, teachers feel that the annual event gives them a chance to have their voices heard locally by lawmakers.

"As we know, students aren't going to care until we let them know we care," said Wayne C. Pressley, legislative consultant for MSTA. "We want to continue to let our legislators know that we put kids first."