Missouri Board Requests Lower Student Funding Levels
The state board is seeking $6,750 per student, diverging from a $7,145 formula-calculated recommendation.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Administration
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The Missouri State Board of Education requested $6,750 in per-student funding, opting against a $7,145 amount determined by the state foundation formula. This decision amounts to a $600 million reduction in the total requested state funding.
Why it matters
The board opted to maintain flat year-over-year funding levels rather than increasing support to match the state formula calculations. Lawmakers in Jefferson City will ultimately decide the final appropriated funding amount, leaving district leaders uncertain regarding school resources.
The funding request marks a $600 million reduction from the formula-calculated level of $7,145 per student. The state board currently requests $6,750 per student, despite the established foundation formula recommendation.
The players
Missouri State Board of Education
This body maintains the authority to finalize budget requests to the Governor and oversee statewide school funding policies.
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
This state agency is responsible for calculating funding via a foundation formula and administering school performance reports.
Washington School District
This local school district is currently preparing for the release of new A-F letter grades regarding its performance.
The details
The funding calculation is based on the State Adequacy Target, an average spend per student for performance districts. Since 2022, stricter performance reporting standards have caused the number of districts meeting the 90 percent performance threshold to drop from hundreds to 29.
Timeline
2022: New framework for Annual Performance Reports is rolled out.
August 2026: New state policy for A-F school district grading is approved.
October 21, 2026: Washington Board of Education holds a meeting regarding state funding.
Culture Shift
This decision marks a significant departure from the historical intent of the State Adequacy Target, which was designed to standardize school funding. It reflects a broader shift as the state moves away from legacy formulas toward new, more restrictive performance-based grading models.
District officials anticipate a potential shortfall in state resources for the current school year due to the reduced funding request. Residents should monitor upcoming legislative sessions as lawmakers finalize appropriations that will directly impact local school district budgets.
The takeaway
School districts across the state are currently bracing for potential budget constraints while awaiting new performance grades. Maintaining awareness of local board meetings is essential for parents concerned about how state funding changes affect specific classroom resources.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's oversight processes at Missouri Administration.
More information
For more information on the new grading criteria, read the district info on new grading system.
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