Missouri to Consider School Funding Formula Changes
State lawmakers plan to address education financing concerns during the upcoming legislative session.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Administration
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In early 2027, Missouri legislators are set to review the state school funding formula following underfunding issues earlier in 2026. Officials are evaluating the current system as districts face mounting budget shortages.
Why it matters
The funding mechanism is increasingly viewed as outdated and insufficient, prompting calls for reforms that could impact how state aid is distributed across the state's diverse school districts.
Missouri currently operates over 500 school districts for 850,000 students, while Florida serves nearly 3 million students with only 67 districts. The state has fully funded its education formula in only six of the past eight years.
The players
Jon Patterson
He is a state lawmaker evaluating potential revisions to the school finance system and exploring the consolidation of smaller districts.
Keri Ingle
She is a state lawmaker campaigning on potential changes to the current school funding structure.
The details
The current formula calculates aid by multiplying average attendance by cost-of-living adjustments and state adequacy targets, then subtracting local revenue. Lawmakers like Jon Patterson and Keri Ingle are exploring changes, including potential district consolidation to drive savings.
Timeline
Earlier in 2026, lawmakers underfunded the school finance formula.
During the next legislative session in 2027, lawmakers will consider revisions to school funding.
Culture Shift
Missouri's move to reconsider its funding structure reflects a broader push to modernize public education administration across the U.S. By comparing the state's high number of districts to more consolidated models like Florida's, lawmakers are questioning traditional local control frameworks.
Families across Missouri may see shifts in how local school budgets are calculated and allocated if the legislature approves a new formula. These changes could directly influence local tax burdens or the availability of resources in districts throughout the state.
The takeaway
The upcoming legislative review highlights the tension between maintaining local district autonomy and achieving financial efficiency. Residents should monitor these sessions to understand how potential consolidation or formula updates might change local school resource levels.
Further reading
For more background on state education policy, visit Administration.
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Should your state government increase funding for local public schools instead of relying on property taxes?
