2010-2011 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Each fall the MAESP Legislative Committee, along with representatives from each MAESP district, develops a proposed platform, based on members' priorities, which is submitted to the MAESP Executive Committee for approval. The Legislative Coordinating Committee developed the 2010-11 platform. The Legislative Committee met October 14, 2010 to finalize the platform; and the Executive Committee adopted the platform on December 8, 2010.
Missouri Association of
Elementary School Principals
LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
2010-2011
The Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP) believes that public education is a cornerstone of American democracy and the elementary school is the foundation of all educational efforts. MAESP understands that the State of Missouri is facing unprecedented financial difficulties. Nonetheless, MAESP believes it is important for the General Assembly to fully fund essential education programs that provide the foundation for all students to be successful.
REVENUE
The State failed to fully fund the foundation formula by approximately $165 Million in FYs 2010 and 2011. In addition, several categorical programs were cut or suffered withholdings during this time period. These reductions impact the ability of school districts to meet the needs of all students, and MAESP is concerned that the reductions may continue or may be considered permanent which will severely limit the opportunity to provide a quality education for all students. MAESP believes the state must seek long-term sustainable revenue solutions in lieu of further reductions. MAESP seeks to work with the Governor, the General Assembly, State agencies, other educational organizations and interested parties to find revenue solutions to provide long-term sustainable funding for public education. MAESP supports revenue enhancements which include, but are not limited to, an Internet sales tax, a dedicated general sales tax, an alcohol tax, and a tobacco tax.
MAESP supports comprehensive review of Missouri’s various tax credit and incentive programs to ensure these are used effectively and efficiently.
PUBLIC SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS
MAESP believes that all students must be provided access to state-of-the-art public schools to best prepare them for post-secondary life, whether it is higher education or the work force.
MAESP Supports:
• Full funding of the States’ regular term foundation formula and sufficient funding to enable public schools to meet all state and federal program requirements.
• Funding for transportation sufficient to meet state statutory obligations.
• Reducing the cost of school transportation through tax exemptions on school bus fuel.
• Increasing the bonding capacity of school districts to at least twenty percent of assessed valuation to support building and renovation needs.
• A simple majority vote to approve public school general obligation bonds.
• Establishing a state fund to support full day kindergarten for all school age children.
• Financial incentives for tutoring programs for students who perform below grade level.
• Increasing appropriations for technology needs.
• Funding for Safe School grants and alternative education programs.
• Funding the implementation of vision examinations statewide.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Elementary principals advocate for the development of effective elementary and early childhood programs. Quality early childhood education has proven effective in preparing children to be successful upon entry to kindergarten. MAESP believes that quality early childhood education should be made available to all children through funded expansion of educational programs statewide. MAESP supports: (i) early learning through statewide developmentally appropriate early childhood education programs which are aligned with school district curriculum and which are fully funded by the State through additional appropriations; and (ii) funding for early childhood education programs, including the Parents as Teachers program and other programs that are research based and have been proven to be effective.
SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
MAESP supports a fully-funded comprehensive statewide system of early identification, intervention, training, treatment and services for children with special needs to enhance the educational opportunities available, including but not limited to: state funded training for early childhood educators; expansion of early childhood services; and development and dissemination of best practices for effective educational assessments and interventions. MAESP seeks to ensure that all students receive services needed to prepare them for entry into kindergarten and opposes any effort to transform the early childhood special education program from a required to a voluntary program.
ASSISTANCE FOR PROVISIONALLY ACCREDITED AND UNACCREDITED SCHOOLS
MAESP believes that the State should provide assistance to provisionally accredited and unaccredited school districts to aid these districts in returning to full accreditation status. This assistance may be provided in a variety of forms, including but not limited to, additional resources and services, the assistance of public education experts, and financial assistance.
MAESP Opposes:
• Vouchers, tuition tax credits and other programs which divert resources from the public schools.
• Creating and expanding charter schools beyond those currently in existence.
• Mandating programs without appropriating funds needed to successfully implement and sustain the programs.
• Open enrollment for public school students or inter-district school choice without the consent of the affected school districts.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
MAESP believes that employee participation is vital to the success of school districts, and employee involvement in various aspects of the decision making process is key to ensuring that districts operate effectively and efficiently. MAESP supports ensuring that elementary principals are represented as an interested party at all negotiation sessions between the administration and bargaining units, including having a voice representing administrators at all meetings but no vote. MAESP further supports allowing elementary principals to form representation units to bargain on their behalf.
GOVERNANCE
MAESP believes that the State’s educational goals can best be achieved within a governance system in which elected community representatives, working in partnership with principals, teachers, families, community members and other administrators, have final authority over policies and practices directly affecting teaching and learning.
MAESP Supports:
• Strengthening and protecting local boards’ authority in decisions related to student enrollment, placement, discipline, promotion and other educational decisions.
• Protecting local boards’ authority regarding employment, assignment, professional development, compensation and termination of personnel.
• Protecting local boards’ authority to make educational, instructional, financial and administrative decisions on behalf of school districts.
• Amending Chapter 213, RSMo to eliminate claims of liability filed against individual employees and school board members when named parties in an employment action.
• Maintaining student transportation safety through compartmentalization practices.
• Exploring solutions to address the underfunding of the PSRS and PEERS retirement systems, in part to alleviate the need for ongoing increases in the contribution rate.
MAESP Opposes:
• Forced consolidation of school districts.
• Limitations on the ability of school districts to seek civil, equitable, judicial and/or other legal remedies.
• Any effort to consolidate the PSRS and PEERS retirement systems with other retirement systems.
TAXATION
MAESP supports modification of the circuit breaker law to increase the number of eligible participants but opposes property tax freezes and homestead exemptions unless protection of school district property tax revenues is guaranteed.
