Monday, Feb. 15, 2010
Bartle tackles tough education questions
John Beaudoin, Journal Publisher
John Beaudoin, the Journal
Matt Bartle speaks to the crowd during the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast held at Adams Pointe Conference Center.
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closeIn a room with its fair share of parents, educators and others with a stake in public education, Sen. Matt Bartle made a few unpopular declarations Friday at the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast at Adams Pointe Conference Center.
“I think the truth is, we cannot afford to fund schools at the full level,” Bartle said, adding that it was time for Missourians to get a reality check. “Instead of telling people what we wish would happen, we need to deal with reality.”
Budget cuts, revenue losses and decreased spending have all been the talk of Jefferson City in 2009, a trend that many say will continue in 2010.
Bartle joined Rep. Gary Dusenberg and Bryan Pratt in front of a crowd of 100+ at the breakfast to talk about the budget, how it may effect education and other topics.
Bartle went after education and economic development funding during his brief update to the crowd. Bartle took aim at retail shopping centers and the tax breaks that generally accompany them, saying there is too much commercial space being developed.
“We continue to take revenue off the books and give a narrow segment tax breaks … we call (that) economic development,” he said.
Bartle said he believes economic development money should not be passed out each year ahead of other state funds and that those seeking tax credits should “stand in line with welfare and the schools.”
Blue Springs School District board member Jennifer Casey questioned Bartle’s hard line on education during the question and answer session.
“Sen. Bartle, with all due respect, you say we can't afford to fully fund education, I say we can’t afford not to fully fund it,” Casey said.
Bartle quickly defended his words, saying he didn’t say the state could not fully fund education.
“Yes, you did,” Casey replied.
“We can’t fully fund the foundation formula,” Bartle clarified.
The education foundation formula is the method put in place that allots state funds to the various school districts. While the formula was not fully funded for quite a while, new legislation has incrementally increased that funding recently.
Those defending education at the event, like Blue Springs School Board President David Wright, said some politicians are not being transparent with their words, promising to fully fund the formula while cutting funding in other areas, such as transportation, Parents as Teachers, summer school or for gifted programs.
Bartle said he thinks other measures such as merit pay, year-round schooling and staggered start times should be given a serious look in Missouri’s public schools.
“That is going to have more impact than pouring money into the schools,” he said.
The open enrollment issue also came to light as the Blue Springs School Board recently passed a resolution asking area elected officials to oppose such legislation if it were to crop up in Jefferson City.
Pratt said that was unlikely.
“It’s like medicinal marijuana, we talk about it every year and it doesn’t go anywhere,” Pratt said.
Bartle said to not believe education labor associations or lobbyists that are predicting the issue to surface, saying such groups have to “cause crisis.”
Business owner Bob Andrew told the elected officials there was surely other money that could be cut in lieu of education.
“I know there’s some fat in that budget somewhere that can be cut to fund education,” he said.
But Pratt said the tough economic times are forcing the hard look at numbers.
“Don’t let a good recession go by without making some changes,” he said.
The budget cuts stem from weakened state revenues coupled with hundreds of millions in shortfall at the state level. Pratt said without the $700 million in stimulus money, the governor, house and senate will have to make some difficult decisions and that 2010 may be worse than 2009.
“They’ve been printing money and sending it out to help stimulate the economy,” Pratt said. “Has it?”
To reach Journal publisher John Beaudoin, call 816-282-7001 or e-mail jbeaudoin@bluespringsjournal.com.
