TEACHERS TAKE CASE TO CAPITOL; EDUCATORS LOBBY BY THE THOUSANDS

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Area educators, who participated in a "Day of Concern" at the state Capitol in Jefferson City Wednesday, felt the effort was productive and a good way to express concern over the level of funding for education in Missouri.

"They were very receptive to us and I think the impression was left that the teachers of Missouri, the people that support education in Missouri, are showing there is a great need for improving education, both financially and any other way possible that we can," observed Roger Tatum, superintendent at Oak Ridge, which dismissed classes so all teachers could participate.

"I had to feel there was a tremendous impression made," added Jo Peukert, vice president of the Cape Girardeau Community Teachers Association. "It was an overwhelming feeling seeing 3,000 professional teachers (from across the state) performing in a professional way about the needs for education in this state."

Bob Brison, superintendent at Scott City, said he felt both legislators and educators benefited from Wednesday's event. "I think their perception was that a lot of educators are really concerned about the condition of their schools," he declared.

"This kind of event was necessary to acquaint our staff about the legislative process and what influences their (lawmakers') decisions, and it also served to remind us that these are pretty global decisions that affect school districts and not all school districts are alike."

Brison added, "We had a large turnout, it was well organized, and it seems as though the legislators we had an opportunity to visit with were very receptive."

Educators expressed concern about the level of funding for education in the state, asked that the foundation formula be fairly and completely funded, and expressed support for increased taxes that could be used for education.

Most educators stressed they would be willing to help take the case to the people to get a tax hike approved.

Many educators expressed disdain with Gov. John Ashcroft, who has suggested any increased funding for education should be tied to reforms, and that education is being adequately funded now.

Larry Dew, business manager for the Cape Public Schools, pointed out that the comment was made Wednesday that "in some school districts, what is needed is not reform, just relief." He noted that last year 200 of 505 school districts spent more than they took in.

Peukert added that the Cape school district could be in that same position within two years.

Brison agreed that schools are hurting and need more money just to fund the basics, as well as to implement any reforms.

"We are to the point where schools are seriously hurting," remarked Brison. "Teachers do care about the quality of education in this state and they sacrifice personally; many are buying their own supplies and seeing staffs reduced and the quality of education deteriorating around us."

The group of teachers assembled in the Capitol Rotunda and were addressed by House Speaker Bob Griffin, Senate President James Mathewson, and Betty Beal, president of the Missouri State Teachers Association. Ashcroft was in St. Louis and did not speak to the teachers, which irritated some area educators.

"It is unfortunate that the education governor was not there to greet us," snapped Tatum.

"I am offended by the governor's leadership style," said Brison. "If we are going to have reform, we need money. I don't know of any educator who doesn't want better education. But he is playing the popular political game of saying no more taxes, do more with less, schools can do better. But that is not reality, it is misleading. We need more money to improve schools.

"We ought not have a governor misleading the public; he ought to be setting the record straight."

Peukert said area teachers urged Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, to talk to Ashcroft about the need for increased funding for education.

Legislators say there are a number of funding bills for education being discussed, and most agree some type of proposal will be passed. Most likely, the bill that passes will require a vote of the people and provide funds for higher education as well as elementary and secondary schools.

Educators are hoping Wednesday's activities will ensure some measure for increased funding is approved.

"I think the whole day showed some movement by teacher groups and members of the General Assembly that there is a great need and a serious lack of financial support," said Tatum. "Hopefully, this will ignite the fire."

Dew added, "I think educators are finally getting together in the state of Missouri, and we all need to be together.

"All too often educators have had a tendency to circle the wagons and shoot inward. We're not doing that now. We need to get out and talk about our needs with the general public."