SIKESTON SUPERINTENDENT FEARS AID PLAN WON'T FIX SCHOOL MONEY WOES

Sikeston School Superintendent Robert Buchanan fears the school aid package approved by Missouri's legislature does not fix problems of adequacy and equality in funding.

Buchanan was among eight superintendents from around the state who met Wednesday in Jefferson City with education department officials.

The education department will discuss specifics of the new law at regional meetings next week, including one June 8 in Cape Girardeau.

"I think there are going to be a lot of schools very disappointed with the new formula," Buchanan said.

"Several changes made at the last hour will devastate some of the small schools," he said. "I'm not a very happy camper."

In fact, he doubts the legislation will stand.

"I think there will be court challenges by schools in St. Louis and by rural schools that felt this bill would bring them up to a level of comparability in school funding," Buchanan said. "I also think the judge may have reason to believe this doesn't meet the criteria he set."

In January, Cole County Circuit Judge Byron Kinder ruled Missouri's system of funding public schools unconstitutional and ordered the legislature to revamp it.

The bill approved earlier this month by the legislature was signed into law by Gov. Mel Carnahan Thursday.

While new money is being pumped into schools, other money is being taken away, Buchanan said. And a large portion of new money is to be generated by local tax hikes.

"There was a lot of political maneuvering at the last minute," Buchanan said. "A lot of school districts that perceive themselves winners will actually end up losing.

"The state of Missouri will require them to increase levies. The state will keep their Proposition C sales tax money.

"A portion of the county railroads and utilities tax money we had been receiving will be lost when this is collapsed into the general fund," said Buchanan. "It's the old shell game."

In order to participate in new state funds, school districts must have a tax rate ceiling of $2.75 per $100 of assessed valuation approved by voters. Those schools also lose their Proposition C sales tax rollback, Buchanan said.

School officials at all levels are still reading and interpreting the bill. Firm budget figures for 1993-94 may not be available until August.

"I think the legislature believes it has corrected the inequity and inadequacy, but I'm afraid they may be mistaken."