2013 Legislative Platform
The Lee’s Summit R-7 School District’s tradition of excellence is the result of a collaborative effort among its supportive stakeholders. A persistent focus on meeting the needs of each student will result in a legacy unparalleled by our peers in public education. This legacy of excellence cannot be left to chance and requires ongoing advocacy on behalf of the approximately 17,600 students served by the R-7 School District. It is our responsibility. Thus, we wholeheartedly join the 30 school districts, representing more than 175,000 Missouri school children, of the Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City in support of the following 2013 Legislative Platform.
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2013 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORMMission Statement
The mission of the Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City is to leverage our members’ combined strengths to provide high-quality and cost-effective services and resources to maximize learning for all students. |
PRIORITY POSITIONSIn the interest of public education, we ask the Missouri General Assembly to 1. Support providing appropriations for fully funding the Foundation Formula. 2. Support maintaining the integrity of the current Foundation Formula, and avoid adjustments to the Foundation Formula that would significantly alter the manner in which the formula is distributed. 3. Support equal proration of the formula as a percentage reduction for all school districts if the cost of the Foundation Formula exceeds appropriations. 4. Support legislation that provides an avenue for new sources of revenue for public school districts. 5. Support legislation that annually reviews the effectiveness of tax credits and appropriates the funding based on the review. 6. Support legislation that seeks an equal opportunity for all taxing jurisdictions to support economic development with continued input from local school districts and EDCs. 7. Support legislation that requires the unanimous support of all taxing jurisdictions for any tax abatement project. If unanimous support cannot be achieved, the issue should be put to a vote of the people in the affected taxing jurisdictions. 8. Support a change in the Missouri Human Rights Act that would re-align the Missouri act with federal standards. 9. Oppose legislation which alters the current state public school retirement systems (PSRS and PEERS). 10. Oppose any legislation that would reduce or divert revenue from the public schools, for example, scholarship or tuition tax credits, tuition tax deductions, or vouchers. 11. Oppose legislation that authorizes open enrollment. CONTINUING STANDING POSITIONSIn the interest of public education, the Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City will 1. Support local school district authority to make the decisions about matters such as, open enrollment; employee compensation and working conditions; class sizes; curriculum and instruction materials; professional development; program and employee evaluations; and school calendar. 2. Support the full funding of state mandates in accordance with the Missouri constitution. 3. Support the continuation of existing property tax relief for senior citizens within reasonable income limitations. 4. Support legislation that requires all charter schools to be held to the same standards as all public schools. 5. Support legislation stipulating the enactment of sound and timely property tax assessment practices and the clarification of assessment terms and timelines to promote uniformity and fairness of property tax assessments. 6. Support funding for intensive professional development that provides a comprehensive and sustainable approach to improving districts’ personnel effectiveness in raising student achievement. 7. Support the provision of a simple majority for the passage of local school district bond issues. 8. Support legislation that provides for continuing flexibility with MSIP resource and process standards, salary compliance, and the professional development allocation. 9. Oppose legislation that sets percentages for school district fund balances. 10. Oppose legislation that would alter the basic governance structure of the Missouri State High School Activities Association. 11. Oppose any reduction in the state minimum standards for teacher certification. 12. Oppose any amendment to the Missouri Constitution to allow the distribution of state monies directly or indirectly to religious organizations or any institution of learning controlled or sponsored by any religious creed, church, or sectarian denomination. |
Lee’s Summit R-7 National, State and County Elected Officials 2013U.S. Elected Officials: U.S. Senator Roy Blunt U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill Dist. 5 U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver Dist. 4 U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler Missouri Elected Officials: Gov. Jay Nixon Dist. 9 Senator Shalonn “Kiki” Curls Dist. 7 Senator Jason Holsman Dist. 8 Senator Will Kraus Dist. 11 Senator Paul LeVota Dist. 34 Rep. Jeff Grisamore Dist. 35 Rep. Gary Cross Dist. 30 Rep. Mike Cierpiot Dist. 33 Rep. Donna Pfautsch Dist. 37 Rep. Joe Runions Dist. 31 Rep. Sheila Solon Dist. 29 Rep. Noel Torpey Dist. 55 Rep. Rick Brattin County Elected Officials: County Executive Mike Sanders Dist. 6 County Legislator Bob Spence Lee’s Summit R-7 supporters invited to subscribe to
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