From John Urkevich, Executive Director,
Cooperating School Districts of Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Missouri Legislature on Break this Week
Both houses of the legislature went on break beginning the afternoon of March 13th. They will reconvene on Tuesday, March 25th.
Voucher Bills Held Until After Legislative Recess
Neither HCS HB1886 nor SCS SBs 993 & 770 were debated prior to the legislative break. Please continue to let your senators and representatives know of your opposition to these harmful bills.
Property Tax Seminar
The Public Policy Research Center (PPRC) at the University of Missouri-St. Louis is hosting a free seminar for local governmental officials regarding Missouri's property tax system and its effect on local government. The seminar will be held on Wednesday, April 2nd, from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the J.C. Penney Center Auditorium on the campus of UM-St. Louis. It is strongly recommended that all CSD member school districts have representation at this seminar. This session should provide us with a great deal of knowledge to help us formulate positive legislation to fund public services. For more information or to RSVP for the seminar, please email: publicfinance@umsl.edu. To find out more about the PPRC, please click HERE.
Charter School Expansion Proposal Heard
The House Special Committee on Student Achievement heard HB2111 (Muschany), which was amended at the hearing to expand sponsorship of charter schools. CSD is opposed to the expansion of charter schools beyond those presently established. Click HERE for talking points concerning charter school expansion.
2009 House Budget Committee Recommendations
The House Budget Committee has recommended full funding of the third year phase-in of the foundation formula and recommended $29,231,000 as a foundation formula supplement. No increase was recommended for transportation or Parents As Teachers (PAT). No funds at all are recommended for e-MINTS grants.
HB1676 Moves Out of Committee
This bill would require DESE to establish criteria for the admission or rejection of non-resident students from unaccredited districts. Accredited districts could not deny admittance except for reasons specified in the criteria. CSD sees this as a lose-lose situation for both the sending and receiving districts. It would lead to resources leaving the sending districts through tuition and transportation costs, while causing the receiving district taxpayers to subsidize all costs not covered by tuition. Please contact your representative and urge them not to support HB1676 (Hoskins). Click HERE to learn more and to download talking points.
MSHSAA Bill to Be Debated On House Floor
HCS HB1802 (Wilson) is set to be debated on the House floor. This bill provides that "any hearings or proceedings relating to student participation in school activities" include the right to a trial de novo in the circuit court. CSD is opposed to this bill because it greatly expands the protections afforded to participation in school activities and almost raises it to the status of a constitutionally protected right. This would create a costly and unnecessary appeal process through the court system. Please contact your representative and urge them not to support HCS HB1802 (Wilson).
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