STUDYING FOR THE CAMPAIGN: CAPE TEACHERS URGED TO BOOST PLAN

Cape Girardeau teachers armed themselves with information about Proposition B at a meeting Monday with Missouri State Teachers Association's lobbyist Bill Ray.

Ray was guest speaker at the Cape Girardeau Community Teachers Association's first general meeting of the year. The local group is part of the statewide MSTA.

Ray urged teachers to campaign for passage of Proposition B at the polls Nov. 5.

Proposition B is a $385 million tax-and-reform measure for public schools, higher education and economic development.

Ray said, "My position is that the legislature gave us what we asked for on March 6, and the ones who will benefit from Proposition B are the children in this state."

On March 6, teachers marched on Jefferson City asking legislators for action to more adequately fund education in the state.

"There were enough people there with enough signatures from people who said they were willing to support, with a tax, education, that we got some action," Ray said.

Now educators across the state are being asked to support the result of their request, Proposition B.

"This is not a perfect piece of legislation, but I've been following legislation since 1975, and I have never seen a perfect piece of legislation," Ray said. "But there is nothing in it I can't live with.

"I sat through the making of Senate Bill 353 as an employee of MSTA," Ray said. "We lobbied legislators in hallways, back rooms and even restrooms."

Proposition B is supported by the corporate leaders of the state, Ray said.

"Corporations and businesses felt Missouri needs to do a little better job preparing our children," he said. "It's not just that you teachers are out to feather your nests. Folks, you do a good job in spite of the meager amount we spend to educate our children," Ray told the teachers. "You're good, you're dedicated, and now you're called on to pass Proposition B."

Ray explained that the bill includes a provision that guarantees money generated by Proposition B will be in addition to the amount appropriated for public schools in fiscal 1991. "It cannot be less," he said.

The legislation does not include a revised formula for distributing basic pupil aid. "I would have preferred to see a formula," he said. "But it will have a permanent hold-harmless clause. School districts will not receive less funding per eligible pupil."

He said the General Assembly will create a new formula "or one will be imposed by the federal court."

He expects legislators will act quickly to revising the formula in their next session. The money Proposition B would generate cannot be distributed until the formula is changed.

"How long are you going to let them let it sit there?" Ray said. "Legislators can't afford to let that money sit there."

Teachers asked about desegregation in Kansas City and St. Louis. Ray responded: "I wish St. Louis and Kansas City had paid attention to Brown versus the Board of Education. But now the federal courts are involved and there isn't anything we can do about desegregation. But with Proposition B we can generate additional money for education in the state."

Ray said Kansas City schools spend $7,100 per pupil to educate students. "I wish we had that same amount of money in Cape Girardeau. Cape Girardeau spends $4,827 per pupil. The state average expenditure is $4,142.

The estimated $5 million designated for economic development would be available for companies that create new jobs, Ray said. "This is not for capital improvements."

Ray said the bill has a sunset clause on earmarking of the funds. Unless the earmarking is re-enacted, in 2002 the fund to which Proposition B revenue is deposited would expire, and money in that fund may be deposited in the state's general revenue fund. The tax continues and, unless the legislature takes some action, money from Proposition B could be placed in the general revenue fund after 10 years.