By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt's office says politics are "irrelevant" to his backing of a school proposal.
Blunt wants to require school districts to spend at least 65% of their money on student instruction. The idea is to cut down on administrative costs, but some groups worry that the requirement doesn't consider non-student costs, like buses and heating bills.
The idea comes from a national group called First Class Education. A memo from the group highlights potential political benefits for Republicans who support it.
The memo says the proposal gives Republicans a way to say they are improving classroom education without a tax increase. It also suggests the proposal could divide education unions and build support for school vouchers.
Blunt spokeswoman Jessica Robinson declined to say whether the governor had reviewed the memo, but she added the political assertions don't matter.