Funding Formula

Missouri has adopted a new funding formula. The new formula is based on district need rather than its tax base. It starts off equalizing all assumptions about local funding, so that it 1) doesn't give more to already wealthy districts, which is how a matching formula would work; and 2) doesn't penalize districts who raise their taxes by withdrawing state funds in compensation. Instead it assumes a local levy of $3.43, and then adjusts up for urban districts, higher levels of poverty (as measured by free lunches), and higher the average numbers of special ed students.

The formula still tracks by weighted average daily attendance, except, for very small school districts, who will get to use their 04-05 or 05-06 state aid as their base, which is then only adjusted by their attendance percentage, so that small dying districts are maintained, a popular political decision.

The Governor has been out advertising the deal. Word is he was a reluctant participant, but politics is the art of the possible.

Of course lots of folks don't like the fact that there is more money for education in this plan.