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Bishop Davidson Answers Hard Questions
Missouri Education Pensions
1. PSRS (Public School Retirement System) was formed in 1946 as a defined benefit pension plan (DB) to attract and retain the best and most experienced educators possible. Do you support the current defined benefit plan for educators and support staff which is similar to the defined benefit plan for the legislature and statewide officials? (A DB plan pays a monthly benefit for life, a DC plan pays you until you run out of money.)
In the short term I support the current plan, but I'm always willing to look for the best method to support our teachers in the long run.
2. Would you support a legislation that requires all new teachers and support staff to be placed into, or to be given a choice to opt into, a defined contribution plan (DC) such as a 401(k) vs. the current defined benefit (DB) plan (PSRS)? Did you support HB 864 of 2019 Taylor?
Yes, I would support legislation allowing new teachers to opt out, however I would caveat that those who have already come before will receive their defined benefit. The state has an obligation to satisfy the benefit allotted to those before the passing of that legislation.
3. Would you support maintaining the current independent government and independent investment decisions of the Boards of Trustees of the following public education retirement systems: PSRS/PEERS Retirement System, PSRS of Kansas City, MO and PSRS of the City of St. Louis?
Yes, these are good ways to keep school decision-making local.
4. Would you support consolidating the Public School Retirement System/Public Education Employees Retirement Systems (PSRS/PEERS) with another state retirement system? For example, consolidation through a State Investment Board. What are your feelings on the discussions of consolidating the MOSERS for state employees and MPERS for highway employees sech as the Highway Patrol?
No, I don't support consolidating either the PSRS with another state retirement system, or the MOSERS and MPERS as Highway Patrol.
5. At times these is legislation that increases the cost of doing business or increases benefits of the PSRS/PEERS system such as certain Work-After-Retirement (WAR) provisions. Would you support legislation that increases the cost to the PSRS/PEERS system currently pre-funded at 84%?
This would be on a case-by-case basis, as I would have to assess the costs and benefits of any particular legislation. I typically avoid making absolute statements when discussing more nuanced issues.
Missouri Public Education
1. Whether it is in the form of a voucher, tax credit, or other means, will you support spending public tax dollars to allow students to attend private schools?
I could conceivably be in favor of using public tax dollars to allow students to attend private schools, but only after extensive deliberation and assurances that the measures wouldn't harm those attending public schools. I am fundamentally in favor of reforming public schools before going to alternatives.
2. Will you support the expansion of charter schools statewide as an alternative to traditional schools?
My previous answer should clarify my priorities regarding public and private education. Regarding charter schools, I am in favor of local engagement, local involvement, and local execution. Here in Western Greene county, I don't foresee any charter school initiatives given the current success of our school districts.
3. Currently, Missouri is ranked 49th in the nation in beginning teacher salaries. How would you propose to raise the salaries of public school teachers?
The process of raising teacher pay is a complex one without a simple bullet point solution ,after all no single effort to change educational funding policies operates in isolation. However, if I can’t give teachers more money, I’d like to give them more time. The 4 day school week is an example of possible policy I would be interested in pursuing if a pay raise isn't feasible.
4. Legislators have fully funded the 2005 Foundation Formula for Public Schools the last two years. However, the State Adequacy Target (SAT) which is the baseline amount given to each district per student in schools was supposed to be recalculated every other year, but the SAT as of 2012 has been fixed at the funding rate used in 2005. Even with the $61 million additional revenue to the Foundation Formula this legislative session, those funds spread over the 567 school districts may not even cover the additional health insurance costs for school districts and is one of the reasons for low teacher salaries in Missouri. What would you do to adequately fund the Foundation Formula for Public Schools if anything?There are two ways to fund the formula, raising revenue or saving costs. My priority would be ways to save on cost, with examples of this being reducing administrative burden, raising autonomy for school districts and teachers, tying administrative salaries to teacher pay, etc. After exhausting all cost saving options, if the formula remained unfunded I would then be willing to look into ways we might increase revenue.
5. Transportation funding for public schools now stands at 15% funded. State policy states that transportation should be funded at 75% of transportation costs. What would your solution be to this inadequate funding of transportation that is particularly important to rural public schools?
This is another very complex issue, especially in a state prioritizing a balanced budget. It remains an extremely important one though, and one I would like to see addressed. One idea I've entertained (though I've not committed by any means to this), is centralizing transportation under the department of transportation, so school districts can concern themselves with the priority of education of their students.
Questions from Chance Wistrom, Superintendent of Republic-III
1. Have you accepted money from Rex Sinquefield or any of PAC affiliated with him?
No
2. Do you support Charter School Expansion?
I could conceivably support Charter School Expansion, but it would have to demonstrably benefit the education of our children and I would prefer it to be initiated and executed by local communities.
3. If so, please share examples of when you would support this?
If a local school board, elected by the families most affected by education policy, decides they would like to explore charter schools as an option, it would be difficult for me to be against that as a representative in the statehouse.
4. What role would school administrators play in assisting your decisions making processes that impact education?
I am committed to meeting several times throughout the year with our local school administrations to talk over and discuss ways we can discuss the education of our children, and I am also committed to keeping open lines of communication through calls, texts, emails, etc.
5. Do you support the defined contribution retirement plan for Missouri public school employees?
I'm always looking for the best way to benefit teachers while keeping promises we've already made to them. Any changes to the defined benefit plan would have to come with assurances that protect our teachers.
6. Are you aware of the financial impact of Missouri's defined contribution retirement plan on communities?
Generally I would consider myself aware of its positive impact, but I am always eager to gain a greater awareness of all issues.
7. To what extent will you support public schools?
The first public school funded by taxpayer dollars was founded in 1639, I believe public education is a part of the American experiment.
Missouri Education Pensions
1. PSRS (Public School Retirement System) was formed in 1946 as a defined benefit pension plan (DB) to attract and retain the best and most experienced educators possible. Do you support the current defined benefit plan for educators and support staff which is similar to the defined benefit plan for the legislature and statewide officials? (A DB plan pays a monthly benefit for life, a DC plan pays you until you run out of money.)
In the short term I support the current plan, but I'm always willing to look for the best method to support our teachers in the long run.
2. Would you support a legislation that requires all new teachers and support staff to be placed into, or to be given a choice to opt into, a defined contribution plan (DC) such as a 401(k) vs. the current defined benefit (DB) plan (PSRS)? Did you support HB 864 of 2019 Taylor?
Yes, I would support legislation allowing new teachers to opt out, however I would caveat that those who have already come before will receive their defined benefit. The state has an obligation to satisfy the benefit allotted to those before the passing of that legislation.
3. Would you support maintaining the current independent government and independent investment decisions of the Boards of Trustees of the following public education retirement systems: PSRS/PEERS Retirement System, PSRS of Kansas City, MO and PSRS of the City of St. Louis?
Yes, these are good ways to keep school decision-making local.
4. Would you support consolidating the Public School Retirement System/Public Education Employees Retirement Systems (PSRS/PEERS) with another state retirement system? For example, consolidation through a State Investment Board. What are your feelings on the discussions of consolidating the MOSERS for state employees and MPERS for highway employees sech as the Highway Patrol?
No, I don't support consolidating either the PSRS with another state retirement system, or the MOSERS and MPERS as Highway Patrol.
5. At times these is legislation that increases the cost of doing business or increases benefits of the PSRS/PEERS system such as certain Work-After-Retirement (WAR) provisions. Would you support legislation that increases the cost to the PSRS/PEERS system currently pre-funded at 84%?
This would be on a case-by-case basis, as I would have to assess the costs and benefits of any particular legislation. I typically avoid making absolute statements when discussing more nuanced issues.
Missouri Public Education
1. Whether it is in the form of a voucher, tax credit, or other means, will you support spending public tax dollars to allow students to attend private schools?
I could conceivably be in favor of using public tax dollars to allow students to attend private schools, but only after extensive deliberation and assurances that the measures wouldn't harm those attending public schools. I am fundamentally in favor of reforming public schools before going to alternatives.
2. Will you support the expansion of charter schools statewide as an alternative to traditional schools?
My previous answer should clarify my priorities regarding public and private education. Regarding charter schools, I am in favor of local engagement, local involvement, and local execution. Here in Western Greene county, I don't foresee any charter school initiatives given the current success of our school districts.
3. Currently, Missouri is ranked 49th in the nation in beginning teacher salaries. How would you propose to raise the salaries of public school teachers?
The process of raising teacher pay is a complex one without a simple bullet point solution ,after all no single effort to change educational funding policies operates in isolation. However, if I can’t give teachers more money, I’d like to give them more time. The 4 day school week is an example of possible policy I would be interested in pursuing if a pay raise isn't feasible.
4. Legislators have fully funded the 2005 Foundation Formula for Public Schools the last two years. However, the State Adequacy Target (SAT) which is the baseline amount given to each district per student in schools was supposed to be recalculated every other year, but the SAT as of 2012 has been fixed at the funding rate used in 2005. Even with the $61 million additional revenue to the Foundation Formula this legislative session, those funds spread over the 567 school districts may not even cover the additional health insurance costs for school districts and is one of the reasons for low teacher salaries in Missouri. What would you do to adequately fund the Foundation Formula for Public Schools if anything?There are two ways to fund the formula, raising revenue or saving costs. My priority would be ways to save on cost, with examples of this being reducing administrative burden, raising autonomy for school districts and teachers, tying administrative salaries to teacher pay, etc. After exhausting all cost saving options, if the formula remained unfunded I would then be willing to look into ways we might increase revenue.
5. Transportation funding for public schools now stands at 15% funded. State policy states that transportation should be funded at 75% of transportation costs. What would your solution be to this inadequate funding of transportation that is particularly important to rural public schools?
This is another very complex issue, especially in a state prioritizing a balanced budget. It remains an extremely important one though, and one I would like to see addressed. One idea I've entertained (though I've not committed by any means to this), is centralizing transportation under the department of transportation, so school districts can concern themselves with the priority of education of their students.
Questions from Chance Wistrom, Superintendent of Republic-III
1. Have you accepted money from Rex Sinquefield or any of PAC affiliated with him?
No
2. Do you support Charter School Expansion?
I could conceivably support Charter School Expansion, but it would have to demonstrably benefit the education of our children and I would prefer it to be initiated and executed by local communities.
3. If so, please share examples of when you would support this?
If a local school board, elected by the families most affected by education policy, decides they would like to explore charter schools as an option, it would be difficult for me to be against that as a representative in the statehouse.
4. What role would school administrators play in assisting your decisions making processes that impact education?
I am committed to meeting several times throughout the year with our local school administrations to talk over and discuss ways we can discuss the education of our children, and I am also committed to keeping open lines of communication through calls, texts, emails, etc.
5. Do you support the defined contribution retirement plan for Missouri public school employees?
I'm always looking for the best way to benefit teachers while keeping promises we've already made to them. Any changes to the defined benefit plan would have to come with assurances that protect our teachers.
6. Are you aware of the financial impact of Missouri's defined contribution retirement plan on communities?
Generally I would consider myself aware of its positive impact, but I am always eager to gain a greater awareness of all issues.
7. To what extent will you support public schools?
The first public school funded by taxpayer dollars was founded in 1639, I believe public education is a part of the American experiment.