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 2006-07 platform. The Legislative Committee
met
October
18,
2006 to finalize the platform; and the Executive Committee adopted the platform
in
December, 2006.
Missouri
Association of Elementary School Principals
2006-2007 LEGISLATIVE
PLATFORM
1. MAESP supports increased appropriations to the public schools
which are sufficient to fully and adequately fund the foundation formula
and categorical programs and to sufficiently meet the increased financial
needs of school districts, including but not limited to, early childhood,
special education, gifted education, transportation, technology, Limited
English Proficiency programs, tutoring, and restoration of state funding
for all Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests and funding for any and all
other required tests, i.e. “No Child Left Behind”.
2. MAESP supports early learning through state-wide developmentally appropriate
early childhood programs which are fully-funded by the State through additional
appropriations.
3. MAESP opposes legislation which would diminish local autonomy in the public
schools including:
a. decisions regarding the school calendar, including but not limited to
the establishment of a school start date;
b. decisions regarding disciplinary policies and actions;
c. decisions regarding employment, assignment, compensation or termination
of personnel;
d. language that would lead to or an incentive for the consolidation of school
districts;
e. limitations on the ability to seek civil, equitable, judicial and/or other
legal remedies; and
f. limitations, restrictions, mandates or other actions that would restrict
or impede local educational, instructional, financial and/or administrative
decisions.
4. MAESP supports continuation of the one percent foundation formula funds
expenditure mandate for professional development for both school districts
and DESE, and supports legislation to allow these funds to be expended from
any source of funds available to the district.
5. MAESP supports public education and opposes any legislation which would
reduce or divert public monies away from public schools, including tuition
tax credits, tuition tax deductions, educational scholarships and vouchers.
6. With regard to property taxes, MAESP supports the following positions:
a. modification of the circuit breaker law to increase the number
of eligible participants;
b. opposition to property tax freezes; and
c. opposition to homestead exemptions unless protection of school district
property tax revenues is guaranteed.
7. MAESP supports public education and opposes expanding charter schools
beyond those currently authorized in the cities of St. Louis and Kansas City.
MAESP further opposes the use of state funds to support charter school sponsors.
8. MAESP opposes legislation which would authorize inter-district school
choice or open enrollment without the consent of the affected school
districts.
9. MAESP opposes legislation mandating that school districts educate students
who have been suspended or expelled.
10. MAESP opposes legislation which would restrict school administrators
from prior review of student publications.
11. MAESP supports legislation that would allow school officials to enact
the same penalties for student assaults on staff members as is currently
allowed for students carrying weapons onto school grounds.
12. MAESP opposes any attempt to change the State meet and confer law (§105.500-105.530,
RSMo) and opposes mandatory collective bargaining for public school personnel.
However, should passage of collective bargaining legislation become imminent,
MAESP supports allowing elementary principals to be represented as an interested
party at all negotiation sessions between the employer and employee, including
having a voice in such session but no vote.
13. MAESP supports legislation that would allow the voters of Missouri to
amend the State Constitution to provide for a simple majority approval of
public school general obligation bond issues and to increase the bonded indebtedness
limit to 20%. MAESP also supports other legislative initiatives that would
provide new sources of funding for school building construction and renovation.
14. MAESP supports statutory financial incentives for summer school and financial
incentives used to encourage tutoring of students whose performance is below
grade level.
15. MAESP supports legislation that completely prohibits possession of firearms
on all school premises, facilitates, parking areas, grounds, vehicles, and
at all school activities whether conducted on or off campus, with the exception
of law enforcement officials. Further MAESP supports strengthening penalties
for violation of such prohibition.
16. MAESP supports legislation that would exempt all Missouri public school
districts from the motor fuel tax imposed by Chapter 142, RSMo.
17. MAESP supports prioritizing student safety on school buses through continuing
compartmentalization practices rather than through the use of combination
lap/shoulder harness seatbelts.
Adopted December, 2006