Board prepares for yearly Jefferson City trip
Feb. 5—On previous occasions that St. Joseph's elected school leaders went to the Missouri Capitol to talk education policy, they advocated for funding increases they described as a need, which has now become a crisis.
Board President LaTonya Williams and Board Vice President Kenneth Reeder will be leading a board delegation on Tuesday to Jefferson City to confer with members of the Missouri General Assembly about the interests of the district. This is all part of Great Northwest Days, a grand event reserved for regional leaders in government, business and nonprofit work to talk to legislators about what is needed before Legislature wraps up its session in May.
"Guess what, our people in Jeff aren't doing their job," Reeder said. "There's something wrong there. And I have a real bone to pick with all of our state legislators. How are we going to remain in this bottom position? You are the people that control that funding. Why are we 48 out of 50? There's no reason for us to be that way."
That is Missouri's reality: It is No. 48 out of 50 states in terms of how much its government provides to pay for public education. The statutory minimum annual salary for a full-time teacher remains $25,000, whereas in Arkansas, it is now $50,000. A temporary measure established in 2023 required payment of at least $38,000 per year, and set up grant funding to make this happen, but that funding would have to be renewed to last into the 2024-25 school year.
Williams said she considers Great Northwest Days to be a worthy investment by the school district as it seeks to correct these problems and others like them.
"I look at it as an advocacy expense, and that's a portion of our jobs, in order to be the voice of the constituents of the community, and advocate, in order for change, for the good of our district," she said. "To be able to do our jobs properly, advocacy is needed."
Board members pay for their travel, hotels and meals up front, but are permitted to expense one night's hotel stay of up to $105 per person. They will also be reimbursed for two breakfasts at up to $13 per meal, two lunches at up to $15 per meal and two dinners at up to $26 per meal, with the bill not allowed to include alcohol. Mileage is about $290 per person, at 66 cents per mile from St. Joseph to Jefferson City roundtrip. Board members do not receive any other form of payment.
Board member Isaura Garcia echoed Williams' sentiment.
"It's a great opportunity for board members to talk to the legislatures about district priorities," she said.
Great Northwest Days has been established since 2002, and involves citizens from 19 counties traveling to talk to legislators. Events will begin on Tuesday and conclude on Wednesday. For more info, visit https://www.greatnorthwestday.com/.
Marcus Clem can be reached at marcus.clem@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @NPNowClem
