Poor economy may lead future teachers to fewer benefits.

Intro:	A discouraging state revenue forces public schools to consider ways to save money. Becky May has more from Jefferson City.
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Wrap: Missouri Public Schools are debating on whether a larger portion of teacher's salaries should be calculated into the pension system.

The National Education Association's Legislator, Otto Fajen says that this is something that the NEA wants to put off as long as possible. Fajen says it is important but extends retirement.

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Description: "This is pretty much what they rely on for their employment based retirement benefit when they retire. They don't have any other component for social security to add on."

The Public School Retirement System is providing pension for 80,000 educators and 44,000 retirees.

Fajen says, pension is a neccesity that cannot be cut, but makes being a teacher less appealing when a chunk of his or her salary goes to pension.

From Jefferson City, I'm Becky May.

Intro:	A Missouri National Education Legislator says state auditor, Susan Montee provides a solution on how to help decrease cuts in public schools by watching over tax credits. Becky May has more from Jefferson City.
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Wrap: The Public School Retirement System in Missouri is considering an increase in the amount of money taken out of teacher's salaries due to a lagging state revenue.

The National Education Associaton's legislative director Otto Fajen says, the current pension is 14 percent and used to be 10 in 2003.

Actuality:	FAJEN2.WAV
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Description: "Their forecast for the forseeable the next few years is to continue to be ramping that contribution rate up, until they get to the point that they are contributing enough to match up with the earnings on the assets and balance out the cash flow for the system."

Fajen says that the main purpose of the pension benefit system is to make sure retired teachers haeve a stable source of money after they are done working.

Fajen says, this amount may seem big now but it benefits teachers in the long run.

From Jefferson City, I'm Becky May.

Intro:	The Missouri State Auditor, Susan Montee criticizes the tax credit programs in an audit issued today. Becky May has more from Jefferson City.
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Wrap: Montee is not alone when it comes to finding flaws in the tax credit system. The National Education Association has seen ways in which this money being wasted could be used for the cuts taken in the public school system.

Fajen says, there are three "common sense" actions that can be taken that do not involve the school system in Missouri. One of them is to take a closer look into tax credits.

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Description: "When the state money is not keeping up it creates pressures, financial pressures that the districts really suffer from."

Fajen says that these financial pressures are something that is hurting the schools by larger class sizes and a lesser focus on how much the kids are learning.

From Jefferson City, I'm Becky May.