Letter to the Editor

Teachers' career ladder program

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Dear Editor:

As a result of a recent letter from the Missouri House and Senate budget chairmen to the Commissioner of Education, a controversy is brewing over the Missouri Teachers' Career Ladder Program. In the letter, the chairmen twice used the phrase "...it is the intent of the 95th General Assembly..." and indicate a possible end of funding for the career ladder.

I would point out to all concerned with the career ladder that the budget chairmen are only two members of the Missouri General Assembly. The remaining 195 members of the General Assembly were not consulted regarding the content of the career ladder letter, no action has been taken, no action will be taken until next session, and major public education associations are just now beginning to weigh-in on the issue.

For all concerned with the career ladder, you can rest assured that I will not support a budget that does not fully fund the career ladder.

Respectfully,

Barney Fisher

Mo. 125th district representative