News

NEWS

February 22, 2010

Good Afternoon K-8 Educators,

Our meeting this morning was exciting to say the least…legislative topics included such items as revision of SB 711 where there was some controversy with assessor’s collections and possible tentative tax rate being sent out early prior to the levy. As you can imagine this will be something else to fight with the tax payers on come August.
Second, there is legislation to repeal sections of 163.031 and recalculate the basic formula using again a proration factor. Proposed by Jason Crowell, Senator this legislation would effectively put SB 287 on hold. Or again there could be a challenge in the courts.
Third, there is considerable talk and discussion of elimination of summer school funding, reduction in transportation, reduction in PAT programs, and etc. SAC’s position is to keep the basic formula moneys in place.
The budget shortfall at this point is 87,705,320 dollars. With more coming we are afraid of which makes Crowell’s bill more appealing.
Open enrollment is still a concern with ongoing hearings.
Autism insurance has passed the house and is headed to the senate.
M and M tax repeal would costs districts.
Fair Tax issue would force school districts to pay for items we now get credited from taxes.
Morenet is hanging by its claws with more and more cuts.
Kay

January 25, 2010

With this being an election year many are thinking funding issues will be
politically motivated...such as Career Ladder. There is a strong rumor of
$50,000,000 to be cut from the budget in the very near future. There will
be in the 2010-2011 budget a 1.4 decrease in the funding of the formula.
The areas being affected right now will be PAT and Basic Formula which
equals about what we need to fund Career Ladder. Transportation would still
remain stagnant and PAT would take a big hit. This was proposed by the
Governor.
There is a Sunshine revision that needs watching HB1445 filed by Jones of
the 89th lots of items in closed session will be moved to open and such
things as possible lawsuits would now be in the open session for all to
hear until the lawsuit has been filed and then it would go to closed session.
21 tax bills have been proposed and the one that bears watching is HB 1350
SJR 29 Fair Share bears watching and the effects it would have on PROP C a
dedicated tax. Schools would also be subject to tax of what they buy
should this bill pass.
Open enrollment is a real concern again.
Charter schools is being discussed this week in session.
These are a few of the items brought forth this morning. Bills needing our
watch HB1458, 1459, 1563, and the above right now.
-Kay

Membership pictorial directory - If you have not submitted a picture and would like to do so, please contact Melonie Bunn, c/o Richards School; 3461 County Road 1710; West Plains, Mo. 65775 or email to: meloniebunn@hotmail.com.