The lawmakers have also criticized what they said are excessive administrative costs in the two school districts. I'm not sure we do anyone a service by approving money for St. Louis and Kansas City. Jack Danforth urged the lawmakers to pass the legislation and promised his personal support for a settlement if the legislation were passed. If the legislature passes a bill, there would be statutory framework for all parties to know what to expect if the courts get out of running the schools. Proponents of the funds argue it costs more to educate poor urban children.
Rural legislators argue that the provision ignores rural districts, which also have poor children.
Sen. Joe Maxwell, D-Mexico said that it is the question of whether there is fairness in these differences that entangles the desegregation legislation. The lawsuit concerning the Kansas City school district has been settled, but negotiations among the 20 parties involved in the St. Louis lawsuit are ongoing. Supporters of the desegregation bill say if the legislature can prove to the court that it will provide funding adequate to ensure the St. Louis district won't collapse when court-mandated state payments end, the court will allow a settlement in the case. Jack Danforth said about 20 percent of St. Louis school district's budget comes from desegregation money. The funds are spent on magnet schools and a bussing program that sends 13,000 inner-city students voluntarily to county schools.