Latest news with #HouseBill616
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill approved to allow MSU to offer doctoral degrees
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Missouri State University (MSU) could soon be adding research-based doctorates to the list of degrees the university offers. The Missouri General Assembly recently approved two bills that allow the university to do so. President of MSU Richard B. Williams says back in 2005, when the college first changed the name to Missouri State University, part of the legislature included a compromise with the University of Missouri. The compromise meant MSU and other state institutions could not claim the land grant title, the flagship title, a research one title, or offer certain programs, including medicine, law, pharmacy, engineering, dental and more. SPS free summer lunches not impacted by federal cuts to school food programs In 2018, there were some changes to the law allowing MSU to offer clinical doctorates, and just recently, the university added a doctoral program in education. 'There still is the stipulation that it's against the state law. We would break the law if we had PhDs that are research PhDs,' said President Williams. 'So this allows us the opportunity to look at the workforce, look at what degrees are actually needed, and then we can offer a Ph.D. in those areas.' House Bill 419 and Senate Bill 160 changed the law to allow MSU to offer research-based doctorates and other professional programs, including a baccalaureate in vet tech. District 30 Senator Lincoln Hough and District 133 Representative Melanie Stinnett sponsored House Bill 616 and Senate Bill 11, which eventually turned into the bills that were recently approved by both the House and Senate. 'I believe that both Senator Hough and myself worked really hard to try and collaborate and try and find a way to get this across the finish line,' said Representative Stinnett. 'And so the initial bill that we filed looks a little bit different than what was passed. But I think that that's the outcome of everyone coming to the table and having conversations.' Springfield man admits to burglary and theft at U.S. Post Office Representative Stinnett says ultimately this bill can help encourage students to choose MSU and stay in the area, but can also benefit the community. 'It's kind of twofold, making sure that the student is able to take a look at what university they want to attend and make that choice for themselves,' Representative Stinnett said. 'But then also really that economic driver in that economic piece as well, meeting the needs of our community and our business community and allowing them the opportunity to get those degrees.' President Williams says it can also be beneficial for the students to complete their degree at the same university they started at without needing to move to a new city or even a new state. 'They have a mentor that's a faculty member. They have a line of research that they're working. There is an expert in that area with that faculty member,' President Williams said. 'They're comfortable. They've written grants together, they've written papers together. And so that's a very big benefit for these individuals because they're established.' The two bills will still need to be signed into law by Governor Mike Kehoe, but both President Williams and Representative Stinnett say passing these bills is a big milestone in a years-long journey. 'Many people are excited. This is history. For us to be able to offer a Ph.D. is a very large win,' said President Williams. 'Not only for the university, not only for our faculty and staff, but for the community, for our economy, and for the state of Missouri.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bullying of teachers persists; DOE lacks resolution
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ A campus security officer sits in a golf cart on the Farrington High School campus as teens hang out by the entrance. JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ A campus security officer sits in a golf cart on the Farrington High School campus as teens hang out by the entrance. Lawmakers for the third time have introduced a bill aimed at strengthening workplace safety for educational workers following concerns from advocates about the state Department of Education's handling of harassment issues. Currently, no standardized procedure exists to handle harassment in schools, and some teachers argue they need a safe space to foster a safe learning environment for students. House Bill 616 establishes formal protocols, requiring the DOE and charter schools to intervene, notify law enforcement within 48 hours of threats and implement harassment policies. It also provides paid leave for court protection, reimbursement for filing costs, legal assistance, annual harassment training and emergency safety plans. During a House Education Committee hearing on Jan. 30, DOE representative Elizabeth Higashi admitted uncertainty about next steps in a case involving a parent with 30 temporary restraining orders from teachers, despite the case being widespread within the DOE. Higashi highlighted the DOE's visitor's code of conduct, which sends violation notices for harassment, but teachers argue it's insufficient, likening it to anti-bullying posters that raise awareness but don't stop harmful behavior. Aimee Takaki of Myron B. Thompson Academy testified that despite the code of conduct, she filed a harassment complaint due to persistent harassment, noting other educators had to file TROs, with some leaving their positions for safer environments. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. 'Harassment can and does interfere directly with the day-to-day operations of school. There have been multiple incidents of parents interrupting classes with outbursts. There have been multiple incidents of parents berating and swearing at staff on campus, ' Takaki wrote. 'All of these have occurred with a Code of Conduct in place. The Code of Conduct is not enough to protect us from harassment and certainly not enough to help us feel safe and secure at work. It is not enough to ensure our students will be safe at school.' Inger Stonehill, a former Farrington High School teacher and co-author of HB 616, said she experienced prolonged harassment from a parent, which led to her transfer to another school due to inadequate support. According to Stonehill, the parent objected to her teaching civil rights, made racist remarks and left 20 voicemails filled with racial slurs targeting her and her family. She said she recognizes that parents might have legitimate concerns, but emphasized that it is unacceptable for teachers to be attacked. The purpose of the bill, she emphasized, is not to silence concerned parents, but to protect educators from threats and harassment. While educators are open to engaging with parents, they should not be subjected to intimidation or threats directed at them or their families. She also stressed that supervisors should be there to support victims of harassment, ensuring educators are not left to face such challenges alone. Stonehill said responses to harassment vary by school—some principals take the right steps, while others, despite good intentions, fail to involve victims in decision-making. She stressed the need for a consistent, statewide safety plan to ensure all schools follow clear procedures and no one is left uncertain about the next steps. The DOE, in its testimony, expressed support for protecting employees from harassment but raised legal, financial and procedural concerns over HB 616. The bill mandates paid leave for employees seeking judicial protection, but the DOE argues it lacks clear timelines and funding, which could strain resources. A provision allowing employees to determine unsafe conditions based on personal judgment also raises concerns about potential misuse and staffing disruptions. Additionally, the DOE cautions that funding legal actions, such as restraining orders and private attorneys, could violate constitutional restrictions on using public funds for private matters. The department also argues that employees should report harassment directly, as third-party reporting could be legally problematic and inadmissible in court. Lindsay Chambers, a former DOE communications specialist who said she ultimately left the system due to a lack of support from her workplace, argued the department should be held accountable when it fails to protect employees from har assment. She noted that she would not have encountered her perpetrator—who she claims repeatedly harassed her and her team—if not for her role at the DOE. While Chambers is grateful for the help of her husband, an attorney, she emphasized that most teachers don't have that advantage. Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, and teachers like Stonehill—who also experienced harassment from the same alleged perpetrator—often have to manage it alone. 'It was scary to do that on my own, especially, and stressful to have to deal with it by myself, on top of taking care of other responsibilities like teaching my students, maintaining professionalism and worrying about my own safety, ' Stonehill said. Stonehill said the harassment caused her significant trauma, leading to anxiety and panic attacks on campus. She sought therapy, took anti-anxiety medication and faced financial burdens while managing the legal process independently. After transferring schools, Stonehill found stronger support, though her new school lacked a formal safety plan. She advocates for a standardized procedure to simplify the process for teachers facing similar challenges. MBTA faculty, including Jacey Waterhouse and Noelle Tavares-Sumiye, testified that as a hybrid school, MBTA must address safety concerns both in person and virtually. Unscheduled parent interruptions, outbursts and harassment during Zoom classes pose risks to the safety of students, staff and others. Supporting students who witness harassment and addressing the impact on children of harassing parents are also key priorities. Failure to protect educators undermines the integrity of the Department of Education and Public Charter School Commission, sending the wrong message about acceptable behavior. Some workers, like Chambers, have left the DOE due to a lack of support, which she calls 'institutional abuse.' Others, like Stonehill, have undergone difficult transfers to avoid harassment, while some others seriously consider leaving the DOE. Advocates warn that without formal safety plans, more educators might leave the profession. Advocates urge the Legislature to pass HB 616 to better protect educational workers from harassment and create a safer learning environment for all.
