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BOONVILLE, MO. -- Senator Claire McCaskill is on a 15-city tour around the state to discuss the impact of federal laws on education.

Part of her tour included a stop in Boonville on Wednesday for a roundtable discussion with local school administrators.

Boonville school leaders said the federal government needs to get rid of unfunded mandates.

McCaskill told Boonville educators that she needs their help changing federal education laws.  McCaskill heard complaints about how school leaders have limited control over federal funding for school districts.

McCaskill said, “Very loudly and very clearly they are saying that the federal government needs to back off in terms of a lot of the rules and regulations that they have put in place as a condition for receiving these federal dollars.”

Boonville educators told McCaskill the federal government spends too much money on specific programs instead of providing funding for the majority of students.

McCaskill said the opinions of school administrators will help her when she returns to Washington, D.C.  Members of Congress will soon debate possible changes in the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Ten years ago, that law expanded the federal government’s role in education by requiring improvements in math and reading by 2014.  Boonville School Superintendent Dr. Mark Ficken said No Child Left Behind needs a major overhaul.

Ficken said, “Let’s get funding to the majority of the kids who need it.  Let’s stop sending excess funds in areas where they can’t hardly spend it and get the money where it’s going to do the most good.”

Ficken said he’s frustrated because he was forced to fire 15 staff members last year and 3 staff members this year because of federal funding requirements.  McCaskill promised she’ll her do her best to reduce federal regulations on education when it’s time to vote on legislation this summer.

McCaskill also made a stop on the Central Methodist University campus in Fayette on Wednesday as part of her statewide tour on education.