Before the current legislative session was fully up and running, Sen Paul LeVota, D-Independence, spent a few minutes visiting with me on Jan. 12.
We talked about education. And taxes. And state government expenditures. And school accountability.
They all go together.
"In the General Assembly," he said, "we have 163 representatives and 34 senators and every one of us will say, "I support education.'"
But exactly how each one supports education will vary, depending not just upon their political party, but also upon their own convictions, the views of their constituency, and the amount of monies available.
Sen. LeVota spoke of the two political parties and how they try to work together.
"There's a lot of things we have in common," he said, "but we get to fighting over scraps because of the revenue shortage."
He said the difference in how the two parties view taxes is usually "the biggest divide," and added "I don't want to risk losing that revenue for schools."
He said he feels there is widespread support to strengthen the A+ program (which provides up to two years of college tuition at certain institutions for Missouri students who demonstrate good grades and good citizenship during high school).
"We would like for each kid (who meets A+ requirements) to have the opportunity to have an associate degree through weighted classes by the time he or she finishes high school," he said. "The students who do this could file for a reimbursement of the expenses."
As it is now, the A+ program helps with college tuition after high school for students who are eligible. LeVota has sponsored Senate Bill 71, and told of how it could enable families - through the A+ program - to be reimbursed for what they pay to seek college credit.
LeVota said it is also important to have necessary funding for schools to meet accountability requirements. Without adequate funding school districts are in the unfortunate position of trying to do all they are called upon to do with less money. And when school districts fail to make the grade, there are always critics ready to point it out.
"You can't reach the criteria because you don't have the resources," he said of public schools. "So then people say, "See? Schools can't make it.'"
But public schools everywhere are making gains in different ways, especially when the teachers are committed to helping all students and when parents play a supporting role.
It stands to reason that schools can do much better when funding is available and it is used efficiently.
We all want to trust that the General Assembly will allocate funding where it is most needed. We equally want to trust that each school district will do everything it can to wisely utilize the taxpayers' money.
"Everybody wants a tax cut," LeVota said, "but everybody also wants good roads and good schools."
What would be most helpful for Missouri state representatives and senators?
"I think everyone needs to think about what their priorities are and let that be known to their legislators," LeVota said.
Indeed. Taxpayers should provide clarity for elected officials about what's important. If they don't, they have no right to complain if funding is allocated in a way that isn't to their liking.
David Wilson, EdD., is the associate principal at Jefferson City High School. You may e-mail him at [email protected].