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ABC 17 News is interviewing each of the seven candidates running for three vacancies on the Columbia Board of Education. At least two of them are new members and he is the only one still in office.
One of the seven is Chuck Basie, a former Republican congressman who had many disagreements with his constituency.
Campaign Finance: Chuck Basye’s Election Reports 8 Days Ago
Megan Drakas: Tell us a little bit about yourself and the platform you’re running on.
Chuck Basie: Well, I’m retired from the Federal Aviation Administration. And, of course, I am retired from state and have been in Congress for eight years. But I am now back in Congressman (Blaine) Lütkemeyer’s federal staff. So I started it in January and am enjoying it a lot.
Draco: And it’s clear that school safety is a top priority, especially after six people died at a Tennessee school today. How do you feel about the safety of Columbia Public Schools students and professionals? And would you like to see changes made?
Basie: Well, I think we can always do more. Our children are our future. And what happened today is as tragic as always, and it’s the same pattern.
I think we should arm our volunteer teachers and staff. There is currently a bill that is passing the House of Representatives. As a matter of fact, it’s in the Senate, House Bill 70. And it was backed by Democrats, including minority leaders, and other Democrats in the House. It’s a bipartisan bill that allows school districts to expand, and a greater selection of appropriately qualified staff, teachers, administrators, secret carry permits, and other training to help one of our schools If that happens, I hope we can take action before the school expands. The police will get there and hopefully bring out the perpetrator.
Draco: Teacher salaries are clearly an important topic for schools, and teachers in Missouri are among the lowest paid in the country. How can school districts pay teachers more than these raises?
Basie: Well, no matter what profession you look at, salary is always an issue. And it’s something we’ve been hearing for quite some time, that teachers are underpaid. Not the biggest concern.
Classroom discipline is lacking. Also, the biggest problem they can complain about is the lack of discipline at school. Right behind it there is no support from management or the school board. So while the salary is there, it’s not what teachers are most worried about right now.
Draco: And if elected, what current issues in CPS would you like to address?
Basie: First and foremost, our academic performance is lacking and has been declining for over a decade. And COVID is being blamed. And it’s certainly a factor. However, the latest report from DESE (Department of Primary and Secondary Education) highlights the problem for Colombia.
We stand at the border of unsanctioned, unheard of 10, 15 years ago. And we need to do a better job. The most obvious problem in that report is the performance of low-income students. So scary. I hate using that strong word. But we have to do a better job of educating our children before we can send them out into the world. We are not giving them a foundation on which to build by not giving them a proper education.
Draco: Is there anything else you would like to mention?
Basie: Lack of accountability and transparency – for a while. …but we need to have a different perspective on that board. Something that has been missing for quite some time. And we need to go back to traditional basic education and escape the many awakenings that are happening in the school system right now.
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