Texas County school districts would see a potential loss of nearly $2.3 million if the Missouri Legislature changes the way it calculates aid, according to projections from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The Missouri General Assembly is pondering cuts in the calculations to fully fund Missouri’s K-12 foundation formula by approximately $418 million.
The projections from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education show the amount districts would receive annually under full funding of the current formula compared to the amount they would receive under the lowered target called for by Senate Bill 586.
The cuts for Texas County school districts are projected to be: Cabool, $461,660; Houston, $566,352; Licking, $505,404; Plato, $324,806; Raymondville, $122,168; Summersville, $237,869; and Plato, $324,806.
“These projections demonstrate in stark detail the negative impact this bill would have on school districts across the state,” said Gov. Jay Nixon. “From Belton and Branson to Poplar Bluff and Pleasant Hill, Senate Bill 586 would cut the target for fully funding the formula by millions of dollars – increasing the burden on local taxpayers and opening the door to more special interest giveaways. I’m troubled that members of the legislature would renege on their commitment to the foundation formula, while at the same time working to pass special interest tax breaks for everything from deer urine to yoga.”
The governor’s budget for fiscal year 2017 included an increase of $150 million for local public schools, including $85 million for the K-12 foundation formula. This would have represented an increase of $400 million over the amount that was invested in the K-12 formula in 2009.