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Open enrollment not a solution to challenges public education faces in Missouri

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Open enrollment not a solution to challenges public education faces in Missouri


We are writing to express our concerns regarding the recent open enrollment bill that has been passed in the Missouri House of Representatives. As retired public school educators and members of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association (MRTA) who dedicated a combined total of 209 years to educating the students of our great state, we feel compelled to voice our apprehensions about the potential consequences this bill may have on our public school education system.

First and foremost, open enrollment could lead to a significant drain on resources for public schools. If students are allowed to transfer freely between districts, it is likely that schools with already limited budgets will face financial challenges, especially those schools whose students are transferring from. This could result in a decrease in the quality of education offered, affecting both the teachers and the students.

Furthermore, the bill may increase educational inequalities. Schools in affluent, better-off areas may attract a higher number of students, leaving schools in less fortunate neighborhoods struggling to maintain adequate resources. This could perpetuate a cycle of disparity, hindering the academic success of students in already disadvantaged communities.

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In our years as educators, we witnessed the importance of a stable and supportive school environment. Open enrollment has the potential to disrupt the sense of community that is crucial for fostering a positive learning atmosphere. Students may feel disconnected if they are constantly moving between schools, impacting their academic and emotional well-being.

Additionally, the bill may inadvertently promote a culture of competition among schools, focusing more on enrollment numbers than the quality of education provided. Education should be about collaboration and the shared goal of educating well-rounded individuals, rather than fostering an environment where schools are opposed to each other.

We urge our lawmakers to consider the long-term implications of this open enrollment bill on the education system in Missouri. While the intention may be to provide choice and flexibility, we must ensure that it does not come at the expense of the quality of education and the well-being of our students.

As retired teachers who have dedicated a significant part of our lives to shaping the future through education, we implore our legislators to engage in a thorough and thoughtful discussion about the potential ramifications of this bill. Our children’s education is too important to be jeopardized by hasty decisions.

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Thank you for providing a platform for community members to voice their concerns on such critical issues.

Martha Schatz, of Billings, is a retired Nixa Public Schools speech-language pathologist and current past president of MRTA. Sue Groves, of Springfield, is a retired Springfield Public Schools classroom and Title 1 math instructor, and is the Region 10 MRTA vice president. Karen Miller, of Ozark, is a retired Ozark Public Schools P.E. educator and coach, and president of Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation. Jim Holt, of Nixa, is a retired Reeds Spring Public Schools principal and activities director, and is legislative chairman of the Christian County unit of MRTA. Linda Holt, of Nixa, is a retired Reeds Spring Public Schools History and Spanish language educator, and is vice president of the Christian County unit of MRTA. Brenda Cologna, of Marshfield, is a retired Marshfield Public Schools elementary classroom and Title 1 Reading educator, and the Webster County unit and Region 10 legislative chair of MRTA.



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Missouri

Scouting report: Missouri

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Scouting report: Missouri


Scouting report: Missouri

Oklahoma and Missouri isn’t a “rivalry” game, but it’s likely a game that both fanbases have had circled for some time.

Though for the Sooners, the stakes might be a little higher.

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The Sooners (5-4, 1-4 SEC) got back on track last weekend against Maine, but they still face the task of attaining bowl eligibility. Considering their remaining schedule includes Alabama and at LSU, and they’ve struggled significantly in SEC play this season, this weekend is likely their best chance to snap a three-game conference losing streak and snag a highly-coveted sixth win.

The Tigers (6-2, 2-2) have a fine record, but the season has been a sight disappointment so far. Considered a dark horse candidate to win the SEC, and potentially make the College Football Playoff, they’ve lost two of their last three games by a combined score of 74-10. Three of their wins have come by six points or fewer, and that includes a 27-21 victory over Boston College.

But they’ve been a bit hamstrung by injuries particularly to quarterback Brady Cook, who sustained a hand injury in last month’s 34-0 loss to Alabama. Cook’s status is unclear for this weekend, and if backup Drew Pyne is forced back into action, that would present a major blow to the Tigers’ offense.

The Tigers are a 3.5-point home favorite this weekend. The Sooners need a win to secure bowl eligibility. The Tigers need a win to keep themselves viable in the playoff race. Considering the recent history between these two teams — the battles for Cayden Green and Williams Nwaneri come to mind — and that this’ll be the first time these two teams have faced off since 2011 when they were Big 12 foes, there’s a lot of anticipation for this one.

Here’s an early look at the Tigers and what the Sooners can expect:

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GAME INFO

When: 6:45 p.m. CT

Where: Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, Columbia, Missouri

TV: SEC Network

Radio: 107.7 FM

SERIES HISTORY

All time series record: OU leads 67-24-5

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Last meeting: OU won 38-28, Sept. 24, 2011

MISSOURI STATS

Scoring offense: 27.8 points per game (70th nationally)

Scoring defense: 17.88 points per game (17th)

Total offense: 399.5 yards per game (61st)

Total defense: 299.6 yards per game (13th)

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Rushing offense: 171.6 yards per game (55th)

Rushing defense: 134.9 yards per game (54th)

Passing offense: 227.9 yards per game (70th)

Passing defense: 164.8 yards per game (10th)

Key players

Brady Cook, QB

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196.88 yards per game, 62.8% completion, 11 total TD, 1 INT

Drew Pyne, QB

49.6 yards per game, 63.6% completion, 0 TD, 3 INT

Nate Noel, RB

503 yards, 85 carries, 5.9 yards per carry, 2 TD

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Marcus Carroll, RB

83 carries, 401 yards, 4.8 yards per carry, 6 TD

Theo Wease Jr., WR

37 receptions, 482 yards, 13.03 yards per reception

Luther Burden, WR

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40 receptions, 450 yards, 4 TD

Marvin Burks Jr., S

47 tackles, 1 INT

Corey Flagg Jr., LB

43 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT

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Johnny Walker Jr., DE

21 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 4.0 sacks

STORYLINES

OU’s rushing attack

The Sooners have found a rhythm running the ball the last two weeks. They rushed for 207 yards against Ole Miss — not including yards lost from sacks — on over four yards per carry. They kept that going last weekend against Maine, rushing for 386 yards on over seven yards per carry. Jovantae Barnes has been the engine, rushing for 340 yards on 6.7 yards per carry.

They have an excellent chance to keep that going against a suspect Missouri rushing defense. Their weak point has been defending the run — they’ve allowed 4.4 yards per carry this season, which ranks 76th nationally. In their losses to Texas A&M and Alabama, they allowed 6.56 and 7.32 yards per carry, respectively.

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Considering the Tigers have been much better at defending the pass, the Sooners are going to have to establish the run. It’s not going to be easy, particularly as Michael Tarquin, Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor work through issues. But given the Sooners’ success running the ball, and Missouri’s struggling to defend it, that’s going to have to be a focus on Saturday.

Who is at quarterback for Missouri?

It’s unclear whether Cook or Pyne will be at quarterback, and that will arguably have the biggest impact on the game.

Cook has been efficient this season and has done a good job of taking care of the ball. He’s averaging 11.5 yards per completion and has shown an ability to move the ball down the field.

When Pyne is in the game, the offense completely stalls. Not only has he been turnover prone, he’s shown incapable of operating a viable offense. He’s averaging fewer than 7.1 yards per completion. He played most of the game against Alabama after Cook exited with an injury, completing six of 12 passes for 42 yards and three interceptions.

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If it’s Pyne at quarterback, the OU defense will be able to let loose. They’ll be able to blitz Pyne while not being afraid of anything hurting them down the field. But if it’s Cook at quarterback, it’ll be a much different task for OU’s defense.



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Patrol reports 14 arrests in north Missouri from October 31 to November 3, 2024

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Patrol reports 14 arrests in north Missouri from October 31 to November 3, 2024


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The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a series of arrests made in north Missouri between October 31, 2024, and November 3, 2024. During this period, a total of 14 individuals were arrested for various charges, ranging from driving while intoxicated to warrants for serious offenses.

Justin R. Aley, 42, of Maryville, Missouri, was arrested on October 31, 2024, at 8:50 a.m. in Gentry County. He faced charges of felony driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance (amphetamine), unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to drive on the right half of the roadway. He was held at the Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail on a 24-hour hold.

Brett M. Boies, 28, from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, was taken into custody on October 31, 2024, at 9:51 a.m. in Buchanan County. He was arrested on a Platte County misdemeanor warrant for a traffic violation and was held at the Buchanan County Law Enforcement Center. His arrest was bondable.

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Katherine M. Flores, 37, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested on October 31, 2024, at 11:41 a.m. in Buchanan County on a Buchanan County misdemeanor traffic warrant. She was also held at the Buchanan County Law Enforcement Center, and her arrest was bondable.

Nico R. Munson, 25, from Robinson, Kansas, was apprehended on November 1, 2024, at 6:20 a.m. in Buchanan County. He was charged with a misdemeanor warrant for dangerous drugs out of Buchanan County and speeding. He was held at the Buchanan County Law Enforcement Center and his arrest was bondable.

Logan B. Sullivan, 35, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, was arrested on November 2, 2024, at 1:16 a.m. in Andrew County. He was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and careless and imprudent driving. Sullivan was held at the Andrew County Sheriff’s Department for a 12-hour hold.

Megan L. McCleery, 54, from Kansas City, Missouri, was taken into custody on November 2, 2024, at 4:13 p.m. in Clinton County. She faced charges that included a Platte County Sheriff’s Office felony warrant for probation violation, possession of a controlled substance (felony), and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor). She was held at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office on a 24-hour hold.

Justin L. Grider, 41, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested on November 3, 2024, at 9:45 p.m. in Buchanan County. He faced a misdemeanor warrant for driving while revoked or suspended issued by the St. Joseph Police Department and a charge of failing to wear a seat belt. He was held at the Buchanan County Law Enforcement Center, with the arrest being bondable.

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Aaron D. Benton, 36, from Independence, Missouri, was apprehended on October 31, 2024, at 1:13 p.m. in Linn County. He was charged with felony failure to register as a sex offender, speeding, and driving with no valid plates. Benton was held at the Linn County Jail and later released.

Kimberly A. Smith, 45, of Kahoka, Missouri, was arrested on November 1, 2024, at 2:12 p.m. in Lewis County on a warrant for a Canton city ordinance violation. She was held at the Marion County Jail, and her arrest was bondable.

Francis A. Telarico, 47, from Kirksville, Missouri, was arrested on November 2, 2024, at 12:28 a.m. in Randolph County. He faced a charge of felony driving while intoxicated and was held at the Randolph County Jail on a 12-hour hold.

Darryl M. Webb, 58, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was taken into custody on November 2, 2024, at 2:20 p.m. in Lewis County. He was arrested on a felony Minnesota warrant for parole violation and was held at the Lewis County Jail with no bond allowed.

Angel M. Branford Lezcano, 52, from Miami, Florida, was arrested on November 3, 2024, at 1:36 a.m. in Adair County for driving while intoxicated. He was processed roadside and released.

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Joseph A. Wolfe, 32, of Palmyra, Missouri, was arrested on November 3, 2024, at 6:25 p.m. in Marion County. He faced charges that included DWI with a person under 17 in the vehicle (three counts), failure to wear a seat belt, failing to secure a child under 16 years old with a seat belt, failing to secure a child under 8 years old with a seat belt (two counts), and failing to yield to an approaching vehicle. Wolfe was held at the Marion County Sheriff’s Department and later released.

Douglas R. Barnes, 49, from Brookfield, Illinois, was apprehended on November 3, 2024, at 8:42 p.m. in Macon County for felony driving while suspended. He was held at the Macon County Sheriff’s Department and subsequently released.

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Class of 2025 Defensive Lineman Decommits from Missouri

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Class of 2025 Defensive Lineman Decommits from Missouri


2025 3-Star defensive lineman Joshua Lewis of Dutchtown High School in Geisman, Louisiana officially announced that he is no longer committed to Missouri this week with a post on social media.

The 6-foot-4, 245 lb. defender said in his post on X, “Due to unfortunate circumstances I am not longer committed to the University of Missouri. Recruitment is back open.”

Lewis originally committed to Missouri back in April, choosing the Tigers over two other schools he had named in his top three: Houston and Tulane. Other than his final three, the big bodied defender had a plethora of division one offers from schools all around the country.

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It is unclear what the, “unfortunate circumstances,” are that Lewis is referring to with his social media post, but a lot of time still remains before the class of 2025 makes its final decisions, so a return to the Tigers could still be in play.

As of now, Missouri holds the 18th ranked recruiting class for 2025 with now 18 commitments. The Tigers are expecting visits this month from two prospects in the 2025 class: 3-Star wide receiver Jamar Browder from Lake Worth, Florida and 3-Star safety Jeremiah Jones from Murray, Kentucky.

Jones committed to Nebraska this summer, but Eli Drinkwitz and his staff hope to potentially flip the talented prospect ahead of signing day.





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