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Legislative Priorities

Legislative Priority Focuses for 2024-25

Our school board is dedicated to fostering an environment where every student can achieve academic excellence and personal growth in a safe and supportive setting.

As elected representatives of our community, we are committed to making informed decisions that shape the future of our schools. Our responsibilities include:

  • Policy Development: Crafting and implementing policies that promote high educational standards and equity.
  • Budget Oversight: Ensuring that financial resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to support student learning and well-being.
  • Superintendent Supervision: Collaborating with and providing oversight for the Superintendent to ensure the district's strategic goals are met.
  • Curriculum and Instruction: Evaluating and approving curricula that meet the diverse needs of our students and prepare them for future success.
  • Facilities Management: Overseeing the maintenance and improvement of school facilities to provide a safe and conducive learning environment.
  • Community Engagement: Encouraging active participation from parents, students, teachers, and community members to foster a collaborative educational community.

Our mission is to support every student in reaching their full potential by prioritizing safety, equity, and excellence in all our decisions. We invite you to explore our initiatives, participate in our meetings, and join us in our dedication to student success and safety.

The following Legislative Priorities were adopted by the Joplin Schools Board of Education on Nov. 19, 2024. These priorities will be used to guide processes, advocacy, and communications for the 2024-25 academic year. 

Early Childhood Education Access:
Advocating for early education, ensuring all Missouri children develop foundational skills crucial for future success.

Real-World Readiness:
Promoting programs that equip students with practical skills, aligning education with workforce demands to prepare them for meaningful 
careers.

Academic Literacy, Overall Academic Achievement and Local Accountability:
Emphasizing local oversight to maintain high literacy and overall academic standards, tailoring strategies to meet community needs and drive student achievement.

Recognition of Educators:
Supporting better compensation and professional development, elevating teachers and staff as essential career professionals.

Innovative, Safe Schools:
Pushing for modern, relevant learning environments that incorporate cutting-edge technology while ensuring physical and emotional safety for students. 

Community-Driven Governance:
Championing local governance to ensure schools reflect the unique values and needs of their communities, fostering accountability and stronger community ties.

Adequate Resources:
Ensuring schools have funding, technology, and tools necessary to prepare students for success in a competitive global landscape.

References:
Southwest Center Legislative Priorities
MSBA Advocacy Positions
MASA Legislative Priorities
DESE Strategic Plan

How does Joplin Schools support these Legislative Priorities?

  1. Recruitment & Retention of Teachers & Support Staff
    We emphasize the need to increase teacher and support staff salaries to compete with neighboring states. We advocate for a comprehensive statewide approach to salary improvements. Joplin Schools supports funding to raise teacher salaries and ensure Missouri schools remain competitive.
  2. Prioritizing Funding for Public Education
    Joplin Schools urges the Legislature to fully fund the state’s Foundation Formula and Transportation Formula, ensuring public schools receive the necessary financial resources. Joplin Schools acknowledges the importance of grants for mental health programs and infrastructure improvements in schools. 
  3. Public Education Quality & Opposition to Privatization
    Joplin Schools opposes efforts to divert funding for public education through vouchers, open enrollment, or charter school expansion, at the expense of public education – as these divert critical resources. Joplin Schools advocates for equitable funding across school districts. In addition, Joplin Schools advocates a balanced approach, regarding the accreditation of schools, that incorporates continuous improvement as well as multiple academic performance measures.
  4. Tax & Revenue Considerations
    Joplin Schools supports tax credit reforms to ensure responsible fiscal practices and opposes the elimination of existing revenue streams without equivalent replacements. Joplin Schools also backs reforms to Missouri’s tax credit programs and opposes unfunded mandates, emphasizing the importance of protecting existing revenue, such as personal property taxes. Joplin Schools supports tax reductions when evidence-based replacement revenues are included.
  5. Property Assessment & Taxpayer Protections
    Joplin Schools calls for accurate property assessments by county assessors and opposes any legislative attempts to stifle or reduce property assessments that would harm public school funding. Joplin Schools wants to protect taxpayers while ensuring that schools are not negatively impacted by revenue reductions.
  6. Safety & Mental Health
    Joplin Schools prioritizes student and staff safety and mental health, supporting additional funding and grants to enhance school security and provide mental health resources.
  7. Reforming Assessment & Accountability Systems
    Joplin Schools advocates for revising Missouri’s assessment and accreditation systems, moving away from standardized testing to a more flexible, local approach. Joplin School also seeks fairer evaluation standards for students and districts, with reduced emphasis on standardized tests.
  8. Retirement Systems (PSRS/PEERS)
    Joplin Schools opposes any efforts to merge Missouri’s public school retirement systems (PSRS/PEERS) with other entities, supporting maximum flexibility in retirement provisions to address staffing needs.
  9. Economic Development & Bonding
    Joplin Schools supports responsible economic development incentives, advocating for limits on tax abatements and allowing school districts to opt out of projects that do not benefit them. Joplin Schools supports legislation to increase school bonding capacity and allow bond elections to pass with a sensible majority vote.

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