Why We Need To Support Columbia Public Schools Bond/Levy

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Vote yes and support better education for Columbia students

• MONICA NAYLOR AND PHILIP G. PETERS JR
 Columbia Missourian


Parents know that highly qualified teachers are crucial for their children’s success.
Business leaders know "the cities with the best schools will win."
On April 5, local voters will be asked to provide the Columbia Public Schools with the resources needed to stay at the top. We believe the school district has earned our support.
During a decade of financial constraints, the district used tax dollars prudently, cutting expenses by more than $20 million and eliminating 250 staff positions, in order to add teachers for our growing student population.
CPS has delivered on past promises to reduce overcrowding and to upgrade aging schools. It has raised the graduation rate while reducing the graduation gap.
Our existing revenue streams are not adequate to maintain this excellence. Enrollment is growing while state funding per student has shrunk since 2000 by 10 percent in today’s dollars.
Transportation costs have risen at twice the rate of inflation, but state funding has shrunk by $6 million in today’s dollars.
The proposed levy will allow the first raise in teacher salaries in nearly a decade. Current salaries are simply not competitive. That must change if we want to recruit and retain the best personnel.
We urge you to support the proposed increase in the district’s operating levy and its no-tax-increase bond authorization, which will allow for future building expansion to help keep up with our city’s growth.
To be the best, our schools need continued public support. Please vote "yes" on April 5.
Monica Naylor and Philip G. Peters Jr. are co-chairs of the Committee for Continued Excellence in Columbia Public Schools.