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School Funding Promoted

February 10, 1997
By: Esther Braun
State Capital Bureau

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's former U.S. Senator John Danforth announced Monday formation of a bipartisan organization that is urging lawmakers to continue giving public schools the money now being spent to meet school desegregation federal court orders.

Danforth announced the formation of "Missourians for our Children's Future", an organization composed of civic leaders, educators, parents and members of the business community.

Danforth warned that St. Louis city, alone, will have to absorb an additional 13,000 children into its schools when court orders cease that transfer the students to suburban schools.

As a consequence, Danforth said, the metropolitan areas will run into an "unimaginable disaster" if the state does not act on legislation to supply schools with resources to provide high quality public education.

The organization's aim is to make sure that desegregation savings will be distributed across the school districts on the basis of poverty rather than race. The proponents say that educational opportunities, especially for poor children, have to improved.

"We want to be a catalyst in the discussion of the quality of education in this state", Danforth said. The saving from desegregation should be used "on education, not on excessive administration".

Danforth was joined by both Republican and Democratic legislators from both sides of the state endorsing legislation sponsored by Sen. Harold Caskey, D-Butler.

Supporters of the bill emphasized the need for additional funding in Kansas City and St. Louis. "Extra money is required to educate children in metropolitan areas", said Sen. Betty Sims, R-St. Louis County.

The issue of education, Caskey said, has to be "taken out of the courtroom" and put under the responsibility of local schools which are in need of additional funding.

There is a broad consensus on "Missourian's for Our Children's Future" proposal as Danforth stressed:"This is very important legislation. We will face chaos...when court-ordered desegregation ends, if we do not act."

The organization encourages every concerned Missouri citizen to contribute to the discussion on education.