A new funding plan for Missouri schools has been approved by the House and sent to Governor Matt Blunt. The House followed up approval by the Senate which came early this morning. Republicans had to use their majority to get this funding formula through the Legislature, because they received little support from Democrats. Democrats complain the bill contains no funding mechanism and rural Democrats contend it gives too much away to wealthy suburban school districts. The formula would gurantee a minimum per pupil expenditure of $5,100. St. Louis and Kansas City area schools would be given extra to offset their higher cost of living. A $15-Million fund would be set up to help the state’s smallest school districts.
