The Chamber

The Chamber believes there is a direct correlation between public investment in education/workforce development, and the long-term vitality of the regional economy. Furthermore, it also believes the most efficient and effective methodology for addressing the educational requirements and issues of local employers should be through collaboration between the local school board, its administrative officers, the Chamber of Commerce, and employers in the community.
 
“No Child Left Behind,” a relatively new federal policy, was adopted to require continual improvements in public education. Each state has some latitude in the process for evaluating progress at the local level, which may restrict the funding for local school districts. As in many other states, the evaluation processes imposed on local school districts in Missouri do not adequately recognize progress being made in public
education and have caused many, including St. Joseph, to be unfairly penalized for performance measures that are beyond their control.
 
Position: The Chamber supports the effort to leverage the influence of state and local chambers and member companies in order to shape critical state and federal education and workforce policies, public debate, proven practices, and public-private partnerships in an effort to improve the quality and retention of skilled workers in the regional labor pool.
 
Federal and state funding should be increased in all areas of public common education, higher education, and technical training. The Chamber also opposes unfunded federal and state mandates imposed on local school districts, unfair performance standards and evaluation processes that restrict federal and state funding, and any initiatives that diminish the oversight and governance role of local elected school boards.