In a Capitol news conference in February, Missouri NEA and the other education organizations comprising the Missouri Education Roundtable called for earmarking 25 percent of tobacco settlement funds for public education. House and Senate bills establishing this source of funding for schools have bipartisan support. Some have questioned why education should get any of the tobacco funds, suggesting that the millions Missouri will receive as the state's share of the tobacco settlement should be directed only to programs that address the health of our citizens. Those who make this argument clearly have little understanding of the important role public schools play in teaching our students to lead healthy lives. No institution other than the family has a greater effect nor a greater responsibility for children's health than public schools.
Children spend one-third of their time with school employees.
School district curriculum aligned to the Show-Me Standards begins to teach the problems connected to drug, alcohol and tobacco use in elementary health and physical education programs. Middle school and high school curricula continue to educate students about the hazards of using and abusing such substances. Both the Show-Me Standards and the Missouri Assessment Program require schools to address this content. This is a large cost that districts are already assuming, one directly related to the health of our students and their families. Schools deserve help with these costs.