Senators Want To Stop Lawsuits Over School Funding

About half of the school districts in Missouri are suing the state, saying the present system of funding public education is unfair and inadequate. Three members of the state senate want to change the constitution to keep lawsuits like that from being filed. One is Senator Matt Bartle of Lee’s Summit, who admits their proposed constitutional amendment takes away the right of citizens to question the adequacy of the amounts the Legislature appropriates for education. The amendment says the power to determine the adequacy and fairness of public school funding rests entirely with the Governor and the Legislature. It takes away rights of citizens to sue the state if they think the funding system is unfair. Joining Bartle in the proposal are Senators Charlie Shields of St. Joseph and Gary Nodler of Joplin.