From the desk of Senator David Pearce

Working on the School Foundation Formula 

Education is the foundation of our state and nation’s future. Unfortunately, given the current status of our state’s budget, there are some very difficult decisions that will have to be made in near future to provide funding for schools.

Missouri utilizes the foundation formula to determine how much money each school district receives. The foundation formula is the state’s primary method of distributing money to our local schools. It is a method based on several different facts, including local property tax rates; student attendance; the proportion of students in a district who are disadvantaged or need special education; and if the school provides summer school. The most recent update to the foundation formula in 2005 set up a phase-in schedule that was to last for seven years. We are now in the sixth of those seven years and we have a monumental task ahead of us. 

When the formula was revised a few years ago, there were no provisions in place for the unlikely event the formula would be underfunded during the phase-in period. That unlikely event is now at hand.

I recently introduced Senate Bill 247. This measure would do away completely with phase-in payments from the old formula created in 2005, and will apply an allocation method to utilize available appropriations.

Uncertain funding of the formula during the phase-in creates varying funding levels for our districts. It also creates a wider disparity from our “hold harmless” districts and those districts who receive funding on the formula.

Senate Bill 247 would also modify payments to accommodate available appropriation in any year in which the funding does not equal the amount necessary to fully fund the school foundation formula. 

It is never easy to have to make tough choices, especially dealing with education. As lawmakers, it is disheartening to have to tell a school district that they are not going to receive any additional funds they might have expected due to a shortfall in the state budget.  Modifying our state’s foundation formula will ensure that every eligible school district receives the maximum amount of funding the state can offer. It is the best way lawmakers can provide for our state’s students and their educations.

The goal in the Senate is to craft a balanced budget without raising taxes. With this being the case, my colleagues and I have worked together to find an adequate solution that will work to aid all school districts in an equitable manner to combat fund shortages to the foundation formula. We will continue to work with the education community in order to provide the best opportunities for today’s students.

As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.

Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31^st State Senatorial District.