Blaine's Bulletin- Federal Regulations Harming Education
Washington,
Apr 27 -
As a longtime supporter of local control in our schools and a staunch opponent of the government’s interference in our daily lives, I am greatly bothered by the federal Department of Education’s confusing, costly and totally unnecessary requirement to compel affected Missouri school districts to convert their entire accounting systems.
Since 1997, federal regulations have stipulated that postsecondary education institutions applying for Title IV funds (federal student aid -- grants, loans and work-study programs) must submit annual financial statements to the department prepared on an accrual basis. Missouri is unique from many states in that many of its career centers are part of local school districts and there are at least 32 career centers in Missouri that currently participate in the Title IV programs. Because career centers are often tied to the local school districts, it is very unlikely that these school districts will switch their entire accounting system just because the career centers must do so in order to go after Title IV funds. And it is important to note that the U.S. General Accounting Office has approved the federal government to use the cash accounting system used in Missouri and which is now being challenged by the Education Department.
While accounting issues may not be one of the more exciting topics in the political world, the current penchant for the government to pick your pocket with burdensome regulations is something we can all identify with. For example, a school district leader recently informed me that the school district had agreed to comply with the proposed federal accounting regulations at a cost to local taxpayers of an additional $10,000 with more costs to come. Under this accounting proposal, many other schools will face similar financial burdens that will be paid for by hard-working people like you.
It is my belief that the federal accounting requirement conflicts with existing state standards. Not only will these regulations cost us all more, it also may result in fewer opportunities for students attending adult programs at Missouri career centers. In fact, since I first raised this issue with Education Department officials in Washington, D.C., two Missouri schools have decided to no longer offer adult programs and one school district has decided not to apply for certain federal funds which, in effect, means students wouldn’t have the opportunity to receive federal financial aid. Another group that this would affect is the adult practical nursing programs. Every year, Missouri career centers produce an average of 500 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and federal accounting requirements would affect their funding immensely.
I have been in constant contact with Education Department officials on this issue and have penned three letters stressing my ongoing concerns about the impacts of this federal accounting requirement. I also have been working closely with the other members of the Missouri Congressional Delegation on this issue. My most recent letter to the Education Department requests a straight one-year extension until the possible solutions are researched and this issue is fully resolved and I have asked for an update regarding the department’s suggestion that it would examine the feasibility of changing the regulation through a negotiated rulemaking process. I also recently met with Education Secretary Arne Duncan to voice my concerns, and I’ve met with Gov. Jay Nixon in Jefferson City trying to seek his assistance at the state level opposing the proposed regulations.
The last thing we need right now is the Department of Education’s saddling Missouri schools with more uncertainty at a time when they are already strapped for cash. It also it important to note that the Education Department has been granting extensions to Missouri schools for 15 years, which is why it is even more frustrating that they are now dragging their feet on a decision. The bureaucrats in Washington simply don’t seem to understand that this accounting regulation may force some of our school districts here in Missouri to close their adult career center programs. I am not going to back off on this issue and will continue working with the entire congressional delegation and state officials on behalf of our students being cut off at the knees by this troubling government requirement.
