ONCE AGAIN, WE MUST ASK: WHAT OF EDUCATIONAL REFORM?

Thank God for Ted Hirschfield, whose "Be Our Guest" column is an impassioned cri de coeur about the state of education today. Were the choosing to be done by his peers, Ted's mordant observations are unlikely to catapault him into first place in the Most-Liked-Professor Contest. Still, his blunt comments have special relevance to our tax-supported institutions of higher education.

Ted's wickedly funny column is deserving of a wider readership.

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In recent columns on proposals to increase education funding and higher taxes to foot the bill, I've asked, What about reform?

Many proponents of higher taxes within the educationist establishment want to talk only of the need for more money. Others including many like myself who aren't necessarily opposed to higher taxes for education will continue to ask: What about reform?

Educational reform is also very much on the mind of former State Senator Jo Frappier. Frappier is a widely respected public servant, who also served in the executive branch of state government, before beginning his current position as President of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.

Writing in the state Chamber's current newsletter, Frappier has these blunt comments on the education/tax plans floating around our state these days:

"Reforms in elementary and secondary education are essential if a majority of high school graduates hope to make a decent living. We want to see some acknowledgment by the education community that the system we have today is not working and that there is a willingness on the part of educators to make some needed changes."

(Emphasis in original). Frappier continues:

"Two bills are pending in the House that would increase taxes to fund minor changes in Missouri's educational system. The Missouri Chamber is not opposed to business paying its fair share for reforms, but opposes the idea of more money for ther same product.

"House Bill 372 ... is expected to be debated further [this] week. It would make changes in the school foundation formula to be financed by a cap of $10,000 on the deductibility of federal income taxes on individual tax returns. The plan would generate over $170 million a year and is needed to stave off two different school district lawsuits alleging the current method of funding public schools is unconstitutional.

"The other education/tax proposal is Senate Bill 353, sponsored by Senator Mathewson (D.-21, Sedalia). SB 353 has passed the Senate and is waiting to be assigned to committee in the House. Among other taxes in this $462 million package, the bill would make permanent the supposedly temporary graduated corporate income tax rates imposed during a special session in July of 1989 to finance federal pension refunds. Also included is a 50 percent cap on the deductibility of federal income taxes. The new effective rate increase on corporations would range from 25 percent for taxable income under $100,000 to 64 percent for taxable income over $335,000. These huge tax increases on business illustrate the fact that voters will not support higher personal taxes. This tax policy would have a devastating long-term effect on Missouri's economy.

"The Missouri Chamber stands by its call for reforms in education before new money is authorized. Over 60 recommendations were spelled out in the Business Alliance for Quality Education's report issued in January. These reforms would go a long way toward improving the quality of education in Missouri's elementary and secondary schools."

Thank you, Jo Frappier.

I repeat: the debate we need on education funding must not be a one-way street. Just as we must all listen to those who advocate higher taxes, so educators and administrators must listen to business, and to the taxpayers being asked to pay more.