Asbill says legislation threatens rural schools,
March 3, 2021
Sheila Harris
A piece of legislation touted as part of an “education reform package” was passed by the Missouri House of Representatives last week. As far as Cassville R-IV Superintendent Richard Asbill is concerned, the description is a misnomer.
The legislation, known as HB 349 - or “Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program” - is promoted by sponsors as a program that would allow Missouri students to attend a school of their choice with tuition paid for.
That’s misleading, Asbill says.
The legislation, which might sound good at face value, in practice, would funnel federal education funds toward the payment of tuition for students in urban areas whose parents would like them to attend a private or parochial school.
Even if passed, according to talking points against the legislation written by Missouri school board association, MSBA and MASA, the funds may not cover the cost of a private school’s tuition. Due to eligibility requirements of the bill, the maxium amount of voucher credits provided would be $6,375 per student. The average private school tuition in Missouri is $10,132 per student. That difference of $3,757 would be difficult for many families to come up with, Asbill believes.
“The bill is intended to help children in urban areas receive what they call a ‘better education,’” Asbill said, “but it’s more of a social experiment with federal funds.
“The people who would benefit from it would be those who least need it: families who are already sending their children to private schools,” he said.
Because the bill is limited to use by children in cities with a population of 30,000 or greater, Asbill believes it will detract from the funding of rural schools - which includes all schools in Barry County - by funneling funds toward urban areas.
Asbill also says the bill, which is currently being discussed in the Missouri Senate, will allow private schools to accept federal taxpayer funds, without the accountability public schools are subject to.
Private schools can use whatever curriculum they choose and discriminate if they choose to, the MSBA says.
Asbill urges residents to educate themselves about this legislation, then contact Missouri District 29 Senator Mike Moon and urge him to vote “no” on it.
Moon can be reached by phone at (573) 751-1480, or by email at [email protected].
Sheila Harris
A piece of legislation touted as part of an “education reform package” was passed by the Missouri House of Representatives last week. As far as Cassville R-IV Superintendent Richard Asbill is concerned, the description is a misnomer.
The legislation, known as HB 349 - or “Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program” - is promoted by sponsors as a program that would allow Missouri students to attend a school of their choice with tuition paid for.
That’s misleading, Asbill says.
The legislation, which might sound good at face value, in practice, would funnel federal education funds toward the payment of tuition for students in urban areas whose parents would like them to attend a private or parochial school.
Even if passed, according to talking points against the legislation written by Missouri school board association, MSBA and MASA, the funds may not cover the cost of a private school’s tuition. Due to eligibility requirements of the bill, the maxium amount of voucher credits provided would be $6,375 per student. The average private school tuition in Missouri is $10,132 per student. That difference of $3,757 would be difficult for many families to come up with, Asbill believes.
“The bill is intended to help children in urban areas receive what they call a ‘better education,’” Asbill said, “but it’s more of a social experiment with federal funds.
“The people who would benefit from it would be those who least need it: families who are already sending their children to private schools,” he said.
Because the bill is limited to use by children in cities with a population of 30,000 or greater, Asbill believes it will detract from the funding of rural schools - which includes all schools in Barry County - by funneling funds toward urban areas.
Asbill also says the bill, which is currently being discussed in the Missouri Senate, will allow private schools to accept federal taxpayer funds, without the accountability public schools are subject to.
Private schools can use whatever curriculum they choose and discriminate if they choose to, the MSBA says.
Asbill urges residents to educate themselves about this legislation, then contact Missouri District 29 Senator Mike Moon and urge him to vote “no” on it.
Moon can be reached by phone at (573) 751-1480, or by email at [email protected].
