From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

 MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

 MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Help  

Educators rally to increase school spending.

February 16, 2004
By: Paul C. Matadeen
State Capital Bureau

In an era of budget cuts, state representatives spend hours debating how to spend money for education.

But Paul Matadeen tells about a rally for education where Republicans AND Democrats say is money well spent.

Story:
RunTime: APPROX. :40
OutCue: SOC

Organizers estimate about 35-hundred educators, students, and parents gathered in front of the state capitol to talk about money they just don't have.

Representative Jane Cunningham says educating students about the issue is good, but forcing them to lobby for the cause crosses the line.

Actuality: cunningham3.wav
RunTime: :14
OutCue: "IN THE CLASSROOM."
Contents: "I THINK THE MORE YOU

INVOLVE STUDENTS IN THE LEGESLATIVE PROCESS, THE BETTER IT IS... NOW, CROSS THE LINE WOULD BE IF TEACHERS WERE TALKING ABOUT IT IN THE CLASSROOM AND THEY HAD TEACHERS WRITE LETTERS IN THE CLASSROOM."

Organizers estimate the rally cost 10-thousand dollars.

From the state capitol, this is Paul Matadeen.

-=UPDATE 2=-

Lawmakers listened to people voice their concerns about school budget cuts this week.

Paul Matadeen tells why the rally's message may now go to the House floor.

Story:
RunTime: APPROX :40
OutCue: SOC

Students, parents, and educators from across the state gathered to share one message...they need more money.

Representative Jane Cunningham says the rally was a good idea because students got to see government in action.

Actuality: cunningham1.wav
RunTime: :05
OutCue: "...SEE THE PROCESS."
Contents: "IT'S AN EDUCATION EXPERIENCE TO COME TO THE CAPITOL AND SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO TALK TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVES AND SEE THE PROCESS."

Organizers estimate the rally expense to be about 10-thousand dollars set aside specifically for the event.

The Missouri P-T-A and the Missouri National Education Association were among the sponsors.

-=UPDATE 3=-

Missouri lawmakers welcomed an estimated 35-hundred educators, parents, and students who came from across the state to talk about funding.

Paul Matadeen tells why this message was delivered with a heavy cost.

Story:
RT: APPROX :40
OutCue: SOC

Speakers lined the steps of the Missouri capitol Monday to share a simple message... they need more money.

Representative Jane Cunningham says the 10-thousand dollars spent for the rally was put to a good purpose despite the trade off for other educational needs.

Actuality: Cunningham2.wav
RunTime: :05
OutCue: "...KINDS OF THINGS."
Contents: "THAT DOSEN'T STOP A PTA TO GOING OUT AND RAISING MORE MONEY TO PROVIDE FOR THOSE KINDS OF THINGS."

Organizers say the money they used for the rally was set aside to give schools a voice--one they say is well spent if students' see more money.

From the state capitol, this is Paul Matadeen.