SAC Legislative Bulletin 09.pdf - Rockwood School District

SAC Legislative Bulletin
The official legislative newsletter for the School Administrators Coalition (SAC) which includes
MASA, MAESP, MASSP, MOASBO, MOCASE, MUSIC, MO K-8, MARE & MSHSAA
March 11, 2013 - No. 9 - Copyright 2013
For a complete listing of bill summaries that impact education go to:
http://www.mcsa.org/reference
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IN EFFORT TO COMPETE WITH KANSAS,
MISSOURI SENATE CONSIDERS BILLION DOLLAR TAX CUT
SB26 sponsored by Sen. Will Kraus (R – Lee’s Summit) was given initial approval late last week in the
Senate. The bill reduces individual and corporate income taxes by three-quarters of a percentage point
over a five-year period while also deducting half of the business income that gets reported on
individual income tax returns. To offset some of the lost revenue, the bill would gradually raise the
state sales tax by one-half cent over that same period and also begin taxing internet sales. When
fully phased in, SB 26 will result in a $960 million ANNUAL reduction in general revenue
according to the Missouri Budget Project, a non-profit that focuses on the state’s economic and
financial condition. The measure will dramatically reduce state revenue available for services (about 10
percent of the state general revenue budget will have to be cut).
Some points to be made on the effects of SB 26 on education…
Put into context, the amount of the proposed tax cut is the equivalent of 32 percent
of current state funding for local school districts.
Missouri’s funding for local schools is already $620 million below the required funding level as
determined by the Foundation Formula. The tax cuts are likely to result in further cuts to state
support for local schools.
Missouri will be forced to cut more than $200 million from the FY 2014 budget
proposal which is currently being debated as a result of this tax cut.
It is important to note the cuts that have already been made to education over the
last 5 years.
o Transportation funding has been reduced by about $70 million since FY 09;
o The career ladder program has been totally eliminated ($38 million);
o Professional development funding for the RPDCs has been eliminated;
o PAT funding has been cut by 60% since FY 09;
o There is no funding for new technology in our schools to support state testing
requirements; and
o There is no funding to implement the new teacher evaluation systems that are being
mandated by the state.
The bill will likely be brought up for a final vote in the Senate this week. If this bill passes the Senate,
it is likely the House will take up and pass it in its current format meaning it would become law
(barring a veto). With Republicans holding a veto-proof majority in both the House and the Senate,
there is significant concern that even if the Legislature passes SB 26 and Governor Nixon vetoes the
bill, it may still become law. It is critical that you contact ALL your legislators today and urge
them to vote NO on SB 26.
COMMITTEES HEAR MULTIPLE BILLS OF INTEREST TO ADMINISTRATORS

Common Core
Last week, the House and Senate Education Committees heard multiple bills that SAC is watching
closely this year. First SB 210, sponsored by Sen. John Lamping (R – Ladue), was heard in the Senate.
SB 210 would prevent the State Board of Education from implementing the Common Core State
Standards and require all future curriculum standards to be approved by the state legislature. Bills like
this are being pursued in state capitols across the country over fears that Common Core is a national
curriculum developed by President Obama that removes all local control from education. Opponents,
which include SAC, focus on the wasted time and effort SB 210 would represent considering the
millions of dollars and countless hours of professional development that have been put into
implementing Common Core.
An identical bill in the House (HB 616) was heard in the Downsizing Government Committee last week
as well.
Special Needs Vouchers
Last week, the House Education Committee heard a very familiar bill when it heard HB 458, also known
as Bryce’s Law. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Dwight Scharnhorst (R – Valley Park), would create a
tuition tax credit for donors that give up to $800,000 to not-for-profit companies that hand out
education vouchers so students can attend private schools. SAC is opposed to this bill for multiple
reasons.
- Contrary to the current movement on tax credits in the legislature, HB 458 does not put a cap
on the amount the program would cost the state.
- There is no regulation of private schools (like the requirement to employ highly trained
teachers) despite those schools receiving the equivalent of state dollars.
- Students would no longer have the protections of IDEA, Section 504, or the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
- Local districts under federal law are still required to be responsible for special needs students.
HB 458 would create situations where districts would still need to provide and be responsible for
services (like transportation) despite not having any control over the educational experience for
the student.
- HB 458 represents a foot in the door for an expanded, state-wide voucher program that will
draw millions more away from our already underfunded public school system.
Virtual Charter School Open Enrollment
Also last week, the House Education Committee heard HB 470, sponsored by Rep. Jay Barnes, which
would allow any student to enroll in a virtual charter school. While charter schools are currently limited
to St. Louis, Kansas City and any unaccredited school district, HB 470 would allow students from
across the state to enroll in a virtual charter school.
The key to this bill is what it will do to the state foundation formula. Charter schools currently receive
state aid payments equivalent to their local district’s state formula payment. It is expected that if HB
470 becomes law, the majority of students that would enroll in these virtual charter schools are
students that are currently home schooled. This means the net effect of HB 470 is that it allows home
schooled students to receive state aid payments and further reduces the funds available for our
foundation formula payments to public schools.
SAC supports the expansion of virtual education in Missouri. The state legislature has nearly eliminated
funding for the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program over the last few years leaving districts and home
school students with little access to virtual education services unless the district provides the services
themselves. SAC sees HB 470 as a way for the legislature to steal money from the foundation formula
because they have not funded Missouri’s virtual program.
According to our records, the following individuals represent

at least a portion of your school district:
Senator(s)
Scott Rupp (R) Phone: 573-751-1282
Eric Schmitt (R) Phone: 573-751-2853
Ryan McKenna (D) Phone: 573-751-1492
Tom Dempsey (R) Phone: 573-751-1141
Representative(s)
Bill Otto (D) Phone: 573-751-4163
Mike Leara (R) Phone: 573-751-2150
John C McCaherty (R) Phone: 573-751-3751
Dwight Scharnhorst (R) Phone: 573-751-4392
Andrew Koenig (R) Phone: 573-751-5568
Sue Allen (R) Phone: 573-751-9765
Don Gosen (R) Phone: 573-751-1247
Kurt Bahr (R) Phone: 573-751-9768
Paul Curtman (R) Phone: 3776573-751-
Timothy W Jones (R) Phone: 573-751-0562
Michael Frame (D) Phone: 573-751-4567