At our 2024 all-League annual meeting in April, the Education Committee reported that it continues to monitor public school funding, charter school activity, controversies surrounding public libraries, and other education-related bills filed in the General Assembly. Resolutions opposing bills which expand charter schools, tuition tax credits, and open enrollment have been approved and sent to the Metro League Board for consideration.
Moberly member Nancy Copenhaver discussed the most important bills in a video shown at the March unit meetings. Some of the committee’s discussion on public libraries was presented in the May unit meetings.
LWVMO Education Chair Joan Hubbard keeps the committee informed about an ongoing project about the potential for developing equitable alternatives to the dependence on property taxes as the primary funding source for public schools.
LWVSTL Education Chair Susan Turk kept members abreast of the workings of The Opportunity Trust, a dark money organization with funding to start 16 new charter schools in Missouri. On Dec. 4, 2023, the League participated in a rally against the Trust’s plan to open more charter schools in the city of St. Louis. The committee continues to publicize events sponsored by Save Our Schools.
Members continue to monitor school district board meetings and some charter school board meetings.
To obtain more information about the committee, contact Susan Turk at Education [at] lwvstl.org. See also a video presentation about education in Missouri that the committee made in 2022 to League unit meetings.
At the 2023 annual meeting, the Education Committee reported that it engages in an ongoing effort monitoring the Legislature in order to decide whether to support or oppose legislation as determined by League policy. Resolutions opposing bills which expand charter schools, tuition tax credits, and open enrollment have been approved and sent to the Metro League Board for consideration. Resolutions supporting a more equitable method of funding public schools, fully funding the Foundation Formula and fully funding the Transportation Categorical have also been approved.
An ongoing education committee project involves studying the potential for developing equitable alternatives to the dependence on property taxes as the primary funding source for public schools Community Partners are being sought to advocate for equitable funding to the State Board of Education.
The committee monitors curriculum controversies over CRT and DEI at several county school districts and recommended the League work to defeat several bills that would interfere with the social studies and literature curriculum The committee also recommended the League work to defeat Parents Bill of Rights legislation.
Charter schools are expanding into St. Louis County. The first one opened in Pagedale for the 2022-23 school year. The committee has encouraged members to join the League’s Observer Corps to monitor the new charter school, charters in the city of St. Louis and county public school districts as well as the SLPS.
The committee also drew attention to state efforts to ban books in public and school libraries and motivated League leadership to respond.
League Support of Classroom Teachers, Librarians, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
In 2022, LWVMO President Marilyn McLeod testified in Jefferson City against legislation to restrict curriculum on March 29. She said, "Local control in public education in Missouri has served us well for many years and League is supportive of that continuation.
"Teachers in the classrooms and curriculum specialists who have classroom experience are in the best position to develop curriculum which is appropriate to the learning environment of their students, consistent with community standards, and challenging enough to interest the students and prepare them for citizenship in an increasingly diverse world.
"Students should not be constrained in learning about the true history of our country. The more that we know, the better we can be as a nation. Our diversity is what has made this nation strong."
In 2021, the LWVSTL Education Committee encouraged our LWVMO President Marilyn McLeod to write a letter to DESE in support of Missouri school funding that makes education more equitable for those children living in low-income communities. Read her letter on equitable school funding in Missouri that was sent to DESE.
Finally, in August, 2021, the LWVSTL Board voted in favor of adding an existing education position to the current LWVSTL program. It reads:
SUPPORT equal opportunity in education with continued efforts to achieve racial and socio-economic balance and equality within city/county schools.
“Schools with policies that are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching and practice are working to achieve racial and socio-economic balance and equality. DEI are fundamental values that are needed for the future success of engaging all individuals, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy.”
Learn more: DEI Teaching Info Sheet
Presentation: "What's All the Fuss about Critical Race Theory? And Is It Really CRT?"
