A school funding formula that takes into account the higher cost of living in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas has passed the House. It now must be reconciled with a different version that has passed the Senate before the session ends Friday evening. The bill contains a $15-Million fund to help small school districts and it calls for a study to be completed to determine whether all counties in the State have been accurately assessing property. The bill received a boost from Governor Matt Blunt, who personally lobbied Republican lawmakers during the first few hours of debate. Blunt has said he wants a new formula on his desk by the end of the session or he will call a special session to finish the work.