ST. LOUIS READY TO TALK

Meanwhile, across the state in St. Louis, school officials can see the handwriting on the wall. That city's desegregation case also may be winding down.

U.S. District Judge George F. Gunn Jr. has scheduled a hearing for next February. He wants to hear from the state, the St. Louis school board and other interested parties about recommendations that could lead to the end of the court-ordered, 15-year-old desegregation plan.

At stake for Missouri taxpayers is $60 million to $80 million dollars a year the state is required to pay for transporting students to and from suburban districts and the St. Louis school system in an effort to achieve a racial balance.

The president of the St. Louis Board of Education, the Rev. Earl E. Nance Jr., understands the desegregation plan is nearing an end. He has suggested negotiations with the state to end the plan quickly -- provided the state continues its funding.

What taxpayers need to remember is simple: Whatever happens in St. Louis, their tax bills will not go down. Thanks to SB 380, they will have to keep paying and paying and paying to the school foundation formula.

SB 380 is a lot like the Energizer bunny of TV commercial fame. It just keeps going and going and going.