Today's Feature

Equal Versus Equitable
State Senator Gary Nodler
News release

The bi-partisan, dual-chamber Joint Committee on Education of which I am a member met earlier this week to expand on ideas for finding a new way to provide adequate and equitable public education funding across the state. It was the third of four meetings, and although we are still ironing out the details, the progress we have made has given me a renewed sense of optimism for the future of our public schools.

No lawmaker contests that our "foundation formula," the complex equation used to calculate how much state aid goes to each public school district, is flawed.

Many complaints about the current formula are being driven by the misperception that the buying power of a dollar is the same across the state. But in reality, the cost of education is similar to the cost of living in that it varies dramatically from district to district. The value of infrastructure, such as the school buildings themselves, as well as the administrative cost of staff wages and the expenses of teaching materials differ by district.

At this stage in the panel’s meetings, we are no longer focusing on the symptoms of the problem; we are concentrating on the problem itself. The current formula bases the amount of state money that Missouri’s 524 school districts receive on each district’s property values and taxes. Our new plan, though not finalized, revises the formula by determining a minimum per-student amount required to provide an adequate education, then guaranteeing that every Missouri school district would have at least that amount to spend on each student.

This idea bases fund allocation on the financial needs of each district, in terms of educational resources, rather than on the financial assets of each district, in terms of property.

The target amount we’re starting with for an adequate education is approximately $6,300 per pupil, which we arrived at by assessing top performing districts throughout the state. Then, to address the disparity of how much a dollar can buy, one idea that we are considering incorporating into the formula is a value index. A value index would take the target amount of $6,300 and adjust it for each district, according to that district’s cost of providing an adequate education. Although the amounts won’t be numerically equal, the buying power of the amounts will be equitable. Important to note is that under the new formula, many of Missouri’s school districts would receive funding increases, and no school district will lose any state aid that it already receives.

By value indexing the dollar’s buying power, our plan, once finished, will cost the state less and be worth more, because it will be fair and legally defensible. As the panel moves toward giving final recommendations to the legislature, I am confident that we can correct flaws in the school funding formula because we are now intent on fixing the core problem of calculating adequacy and determining equity. We are creatively and fairly crafting legislation that will provide adequate and equitable education in Missouri’s public school system.

V.F.W. to Form Mens’ Auxiliary.
News release

The Carthage Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2590 announced Thursday, February 24 their intent to form a Mens’ Auxiliary and to have a Spring membership drive.

An organizational meeting will be held at the Post home on Thursday, Mar. 10 at 7 p.m. Persons interested in becoming a member of the Post or a charter member of the new Mens’ Auxiliary are welcome to attend.

Membership in the Mens’ Auxiliary to the V.F.W. shall be limited to husbands, widowers, fathers, grandfathers, sons, grandsons, brothers and half-brothers of persons who were, or are, eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Prospective members must not be less than sixteen years old. Men eligible for membership in the V.F.W. shall not be eligible to join the Mens’ Auxiliary.

The Mens’ Auxiliary shall have their own charter officers and bank account. Their purpose will remain the same as the Ladies’ Auxiliary, to help the post in its efforts to help veterans, widows and children. To ensure that Congress keeps their promises to the troops who have been put in harm’s way. To comfort, visit and help those in Veterans’ hospitals and to give aid to those in need.

Persons interested in helping to attain these goals are invited to join on March 10 at the Carthage V.F.W. Post Home located at the end of W. Oak St. and Hwy. 171.

For more information contact Rusty Melton at 358-2018 or call the Post Home 358-1657.

‘Course ya get the same affect dumpin’ a little hamburger or bacon grease in the bowl, but I’ve heard that may not be so healthy (tell that ta all the coon dogs that lived a long and productive life).

I saw the other day that usin’ dried bananas or pieces of apple are better for your dog than store bought treats. Our dog seems ta prefer the banana chips. Once again, our dog prefers anything that happens to hit the floor, so I don’t suppose it really has a preference.

I still think a great big steak bone is the best treat for a dog. ‘Course a good steak doesn’t need any sauce.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Best Treatment for Fever

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Should a person try to lower a fever? My mother always had me take aspirin when I was a child and had a fever. Now I react to fever just as my mother did. I always give my family aspirin when someone has one. Is this a good idea? — F.G.

ANSWER: Authorities have a hard time defining what a fever is, and they have a harder time advising what to do about one. Most define it as a temperature greater than 99.5 F (37.5 C) together with other signs and symptoms of illness. The latter is important because some perfectly healthy people have a slightly elevated body temperature. Furthermore, there is a daily variation in body temperature, with its nadir occurring at 6 a.m. and its high point about 10 to 12 hours later.

The body rarely reacts in ways that are not to its benefit. A fever might bestow an advantage in containing invading germs and bolstering the immune system. However, proof that it is advantageous isn’t overwhelming.

Neither is there overwhelming proof that it is necessary to lower a temperature in most instances. Higher body temperatures increase body metabolism and make the heart beat faster. People who are on the brink of heart failure might benefit from lowering an elevated temperature. The same holds for people whose lungs are not in tiptop shape. There is something to be said for lowering fevers in people who are prone to seizures. For everyone else, however, there is no pressing need to pass out medicines to bring down body temperature.

Collecting
By Larry Cox
Sponsored by Oldies & Oddities

Poker Chips

Q: I have a set of poker chips that are made of clay. I assume they were made before plastic ones became popular. Who can I contact to find out about older poker chips and how much the ones I have are worth? — Les, Salmon Arm, B.C., Canada

A: Robert Eisenstadt is a collector who is interested in vintage poker chips, especially those made of ivory, mother of pearl and clay. His addresses are 140 Cadman Plaza West, 26C, Brooklyn, NY 11202; chipe@ix.netcom.com; and www.antiquegamblingchips.com.

Q: I have a Boy Scout card issued in about 1947. How much is it worth? — Ronald, Quitman, Ga.

A: I cannot tell a lie. One of the best experts of scout memorabilia is Brill Lee, P.O. Box 244, Bellevue, WA 98009. Doug Bearce also collects and has written extensively about scout collectibles. His addresses are P.O. Box 4742, Salem, OR 97302; bearce@prodigy.net; and www.scouting-collectibles.com.

Q: I am trying to find vintage pieces of Wagner cookware. Can you help me? — Sam, Athens, Ga.

A: Joe Noto is the past president of the Griswold and Cast Iron Cookware Association, and he might be able to help you. His address is 54 Macon Ave., Asheville, NC 28801.