Democratic lawmakers are questioning the use of anonymous private donations to help fund Missouri’s search for its next commissioner of education.
Columbia Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, the ranking Democrat on the Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, said the public should know who is contributing money to a process she views as one of government’s most important responsibilities.
“This is the group that oversees the plan for public schools in every community in our state,” Steinhoff told Missourinet. “This is like one of the core roles of government is to make sure that every child has access to a great public school. We should not be having outside influence investing in that process.”
Steinhoff also argued the commissioner search should be funded through taxpayer dollars rather than private contributions.
“I hate the whole concept that our public school system should be funded on bake sales and lottery ticket sales,” she said. “We should not have to accept donations for this. This is what our tax dollars are supposed to pay for is great public schools. And in order to make sure there is no undue influence, you should not open this up to donations.”
The State Board of Education has rejected concerns that donors could influence the selection process.
Board President Brooks Miller said contributors will have no role in choosing the next commissioner and there will be no quid pro quo tied to donations.
The debate has also drawn attention from the Missouri School Boards’ Association. The organization said it understands the board’s decision to seek philanthropic funding during tight budget times, but it is urging the state board to disclose funding sources, contribution amounts, and safeguards designed to preserve public trust.
Steinhoff said the dispute reflects a broader debate about the future of public education in Missouri.
“We’ve got people who believe in public education as a way to secure a bright future for Missouri,” she told Missourinet. “And then we have people who want to dismantle public education. We need to really be cautious about who are the people that are leading the way.”
While Democrats continue to call for the search to be publicly funded and for donors to be identified, state education leaders maintain that private contributions will not affect the selection of Missouri’s next education commissioner.
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