Politics & Government

Area Legislators Learn About State Education Funding

Area legislators and Mehlville's superintendent met in Jefferson City for a presentation on the educational funding formula.

Area legislators and Mehlville School District Superintendent Terry Noble met for an educational workshop to discuss the public school foundation formula in Jefferson City. The formula is the means by which state funding is distributed to all public schools. Education is the largest appropriation from general revenue in the state budget.

The Missouri Association of School Administrators, an organization that advocates for legislative action benefitting public schools, sponsored the meeting on Jan. 25. Noble joined area representatives Gary Fuhr, Cloria Brown and Marsha Haefner.

Dr. Chris Straub, a former superintendent and educational professor at SLU gave a presentation about the formula and its make-up and origins. Factors such as average daily attendance, free or reduced lunch, special education enrollment and English language learners are weighted in the formula.  Property values and the area’s wealth are also factors in state funding.

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Mehlville currently receives $800 per student per year from the state, accounting for 13 percent of the district's budget, according to Noble. 

“It was a good opportunity for them to receive information on how the formula works,” Noble said. “We could share with them how it impacts our local district.”

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Noble said that compared to other districts, who receive up to $4,000 to $5,000, Mehlville’s funding is not very much and is considered a wealthy district in the legislature.

The current formula was created in 2004 but has been phased in over the last six years to allow for a catch-up in state funding.

“I heard comments from legislators saying it helps them better understand the foundation formula and how they can provide more equitable funds for students with the funds that come into the state,” Noble said.

Cloria Brown, Mehlville’s state representative (85th District) felt she got more information on how the state distributes funding.

“From start to finish, it explained how the formula works and where it started—I didn’t know the numbers,” Brown said. She said that the Lindbergh School District received $200 per student per year compared to Mehlville’s $800.

“I look forward to asking questions and finding more about it in the future,” Brown said. 


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