On the General Election ballot on Nov. 5, two amendments proposing to allocate funds to public education — Amendment 2 and Amendment 5 — will be presented to voters.

Here is a summary and some important considerations to keep in mind before casting your vote.

Overview of the Amendments

• Amendment 2: If passed, this amendment would allow sports betting in Missouri.

• Amendment 5: If passed, this amendment would permit casinos to be built on the Lake of the Ozarks.

Both amendments are expected to generate new revenue for the state. However, the exact financial impact is uncertain:

• Amendment 2 could generate anywhere between $0 and $29 million annually.

• Amendment 5 could generate approximately $14 million annually.

Impact on Public Education Funding

• It is important to note that there is no guarantee that these new revenues will be directly allocated to public education. If funded, it could also support private schools and higher education institutions. The wording of these amendments does not prevent the state from using the funds as part of the general foundation formula, similar to how current lottery and gaming revenues are handled.

• While any additional funding is welcome, public education advocates caution that the projected revenues from these amendments are unlikely to result in significant changes to teacher salaries or benefits. In the context of Missouri’s $3.5 billion education budget, these amounts are relatively small.

Things to Consider

• Voters who personally support sports betting or the expansion of casinos may choose to vote in favor of these measures.

• However, voting based on the expectation that these amendments will substantially increase funding for public education or teacher salaries may lead to disappointment, given historical trends and budget realities.

I encourage all voters to carefully consider the potential benefits and limitations of these measures before heading to the polls. For more information, you can also explore a relevant source by searching on the internet the following article: https://tinyurl. com/22a2anw2.

If you would like to personally discuss these two amendments with me before you vote, feel free to contact me by email: mjohnson@cassville.k12.mo.us or phone: 417-847-2221.

Thank you for staying informed and participating in the democratic process!

Merlyn Johnson is the superintendent of the Cassville school district. He may be reached at mjohnson@cassville.k12.mo.us.