SENATOR, EDUCATION OFFICIAL LOCK HORNS

Education Commissioner Robert E. Bartman's letter to school administrators has outraged state Sen. Peter Kinder.

The Cape Girardeau Republican wants Bartman to explain the letter's intent, which he contends is "an invitation to spend" for school districts around Missouri.

But Bartman said he was only inviting school districts "to plan" for how they would use additional revenue. That revenue could be coming if the General Assembly follows the governor's recommendation for additional funding of the school foundation formula.

In the Feb. 3 letter, Bartman advises superintendents that Gov. Mel Carnahan's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 1995 includes an increase of $189 million in funding for the school formula, which he said is the largest one-year increase ever.

He praises Carnahan for making the commitment to bring funding of the new formula back on schedule at 75 percent for the next fiscal year, and on track for full funding during the 1996-97 school year.

But on the second page of the letter, Bartman offers a "word of caution" that if the General Assembly approves the governor's increase, it will mean an overall increase of 18 percent in basic aid for public schools.

"School officials need to plan ahead in order to make the most effective use of such a substantial increase in state funding," Bartman wrote.

"I strongly encourage you to talk with your board and staff about the possibility of this increase next year and to begin thinking about your budget for 1995-96. How could the added funds be used in your district to make the most positive impact on students' learning?"

Kinder said those comments appear to be an invitation to spend and also creates doubts whether there was really a plan in Senate Bill 380 for using additional funds generated by tax increases.

"It makes a reasonable reader wonder whether they had the plan in place or not. Do they need the money or don't they?" asked Kinder.

The equity portion of the new formula gives school districts considerable discretion on how they spend new money.

"What I was suggesting to the superintendents is they ought to at least start making plans so when the money comes around they don't have to scurry around to find ways to spend the money, but can apply it thoughtfully so it can have the greatest positive impact on students in the district," said Bartman.

"If they wait until the governor signs the budget to begin planning, they will have lost an opportunity to plan thoughtfully."

Kinder said he wants some answers from Bartman and believes his letter raises more questions than it answers.

Kinder said the legislature heard about the need for this formula and extra money two years ago.

"They alleged a judge mandated it, which he never did," Kinder said, and "now, two years after passage, it appears to me the highest official of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is soliciting input from superintendents on how to spend this huge windfall."

Bartman said the revenue is not a windfall, but rather part of the equity portion of the new formula passed by the General Assembly. It was drafted after Cole County Circuit Judge Byron Kinder ruled that per pupil spending for students needed to be more equitable.

"I am surprised at Sen. Kinder," Bartman said. "I thought he wanted to plan. Most of the things he has ever said suggested he wants thoughtful deliberations before one spends money. That is all I was encouraging."

Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, said he isn't concerned about the letter and said he has heard no complaints about it.

"The bottom line is, what are you for?" Thomason said. "Are you for helping education, or are you against it. We are finally going to take the foundation formula seriously after years of underfunding it and somebody for political gain complains about it."

Thomason doesn't view the letter as an invitation for spending, calling the letter "just sound government."

He said, "If you are going to get money, isn't it wise to plan how to spend it. It just makes good sense."

Kinder also takes issue with Bartman's comments that increased enrollment, changes in local tax rates and more students in summer school is costing more money than originally projected.

Kinder said he can't understand why Bartman appears surprised by that because everything leading to the increased costs, except for higher enrollment, was spelled out in 380.

"I remember floor debate in May of 1993, and those of us opposed to 380 said this is a the-more-you-spend-the-more-you-get formula," he said. "School districts have, unsurprisingly, figured that out and they are doing it."

Kinder also questions whether the new formula will ever be fully funded.

Bartman said the formula is on schedule for being fully funded for Fiscal Year 1997 and he does not anticipate a long-term shortfall.

He said when 380 was first passed, funding needs were projected on the basis of some assumptions that have been revised.

"If the Legislature appropriates what the governor recommended, we will be on schedule for full funding in Fiscal 1997," Bartman said.