Bill Text: MO HCR58 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Encourages local school districts to educate themselves on the authority they have under state law to develop and implement policies and procedures to address the issues in their school districts
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-05-18 - Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education (H) [HCR58 Detail]
Download: Missouri-2012-HCR58-Introduced.html
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 58
96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES SHUMAKE (Sponsor), DUGGER, DENISON, HOUGHTON, KORMAN, ROWLAND, CAUTHORN, CRAWFORD, REDMON AND THOMSON (Co-sponsors).
WHEREAS, the Missouri General Assembly recognizes the valuable and important responsibilities of local school boards in the State of Missouri; and
WHEREAS, local school boards serve not only to maintain the physical equipment of our schools, but the educational environment for their respective districts as well; and
WHEREAS, being closest to the community and environment in which the local school operates, local school boards work to ensure that all of Missouri's students receive a quality education that will prepare them for a bright future in a challenging world and to be good citizens of the state and nation; and
WHEREAS, it is always the desire of the Missouri General Assembly to assist local school districts in establishing and implementing policies and procedures for our schools. However, it is also important to reiterate the rights that local school districts already possess in making the day-to-day policy and procedure decisions currently available to them under state statute; and
WHEREAS, while some of the more difficult issues and decisions facing local school districts are better handled at the state level to ensure uniformity of implementation of policies and procedures across the state, state level decision-making is also important to establish policies and procedures for these difficult decisions before local school districts attempt to develop and implement policies and procedures; and
WHEREAS, the Missouri General Assembly recognizes that any decisions made at the state level will affect all school districts, for better or worse, and that many decisions should remain at the local level so local school districts can make the best decision based on the particular needs of their students, teachers, and school boards in the communities in which schools operate; and
WHEREAS, local school boards have the authority to implement innovative programs that will fit the needs of the population they serve; and
WHEREAS, local school boards can create policies that benefit their operation, including issues of teacher evaluation, enrollment, curriculum, transportation, discipline, dress code, and personnel policies regarding employees; and
WHEREAS, local school boards can work in cooperation with other school boards in the sharing of ideas, resources, and personnel, and may utilize the services of parents, agencies, faith-based groups, and volunteers to secure the well-being of their students; and
WHEREAS, local school boards across Missouri are commended for their work and dedication to quality education, and the health and well-being of their students, in cooperation with their parents and guardians; and
WHEREAS, local school boards are encouraged to use the authority they already have under state law to make policy decisions and implement procedures which are best made at the local level; and
WHEREAS, each school district in this state has unique needs and attributes which require local school boards to carefully tailor their policies and procedures for the specific needs of students and teachers in their district; and
WHEREAS, local school boards need to empower themselves by taking advantage of all authority given to them under state law:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-sixth General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby strongly encourage local school districts in Missouri to educate themselves on the authority they have under state law to develop and implement policies and procedures to address the issues in their school districts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Missouri General Assembly strongly urges the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to make resources available to each school district in this state to ensure that local school boards are fully aware of the entire scope of their authority to make decisions for their respective schools; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for Chris L. Nacastro, the Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and each school district in this state.
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