Dear St. James R-I Families,
I know our schools are not perfect. Some days we fall short, some days we make mistakes, and some days we accomplish great things. But isn't that part of what we want our children to learn? Mistakes happen. We take responsibility, learn, grow, and do better.
Public education is about so much more than textbooks and test scores. It is about the student who finds an adult who believes in them, the child who discovers a talent they never knew they had, and the young person who finds encouragement when life gets difficult. Sometimes, the most important things we give our students cannot be measured on a report card.
That is why I want to share an opportunity for our community to support our schools.
This school year, St. James R-I is facing a state funding shortfall of $616,502.68. We experienced shortfalls last year, too, and the State Board of Education has again recommended funding that falls short of fully funding the education formula for next school year.
When state funding falls short, the consequences eventually reach our students through difficult decisions about programs, services, resources, and opportunities. Missouri has also experienced significant turnover in education leadership, with four Commissioners of Education in three years. While I cannot speak for those individuals, it is difficult to ignore the need for more consistent support for public education from our state legislators.
We will continue to learn, improve, and make the best decisions possible with the resources available to us. However, we cannot make up indefinitely for state funding that does not arrive. We are not asking for additional money from you. We are asking for the money you have already given to go where the Missouri Constitution says it should go.
Many of you have asked how you can help support our schools. Here is one simple way.
If you choose, please email our state legislators and ask them to prioritize public education in Missouri and work toward fully funding public education in accordance with the Missouri Constitution. A short email expressing your support is enough. You do not need to write a lengthy letter or be an expert in school funding.
Your state legislators:
Senator Justin Brown: Justin.Brown@senate.mo.gov
Representative Tara Peters, District 122: Tara.Peters@house.mo.gov
Representative Bennie Cook, District 143: Bennie.Cook@house.mo.gov
Missouri State Board of Education: sbe@dese.mo.gov
Note: Phelps County includes portions of both House districts. Please contact the representative for your district.
Feel free to send your own message, or you might simply write:
“I am asking you to make public education a priority in Missouri this legislative session and work toward fully funding the state's public education formula in accordance with the Missouri Constitution. Our students deserve the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.”
If you choose to reach out, thank you. If you choose not to, we respect your decision. We are sharing this information because so many of you have asked how you can help, and we wanted to offer a simple way to do so.
I once walked these halls as a student. Today, I have the privilege of serving the children who walk them. I want every child to have the opportunity to learn, make mistakes, grow, discover their potential, and find a future full of possibilities, just as I did.
Thank you for being part of the St. James community.
Every day is a great day to be a Tiger!
Sincerely,
Tim Webster, Superintendent of Schools
St. James R-I School District