The legislative committee looking for solutions to Missouri’s school funding problems is moving ahead with its task, despite a lawsuit launched against the State over the funding formula. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit – 243 school districts – claim the current funding formula lacks equity and adequacy. They want the Legislature to take action to bring in the revenues necessary to make improvements. Senator Charlie Shields of St. Joseph, the Chairman of the Interim Committee on Education, says lawmakers will likely address the equity issue by redistributing the available funds currently in the budget. The districts want more money to bring about what they’re calling adequacy. Shields says that will be a difficult task without a tax increase, and that’s not something being considered. A report with recommendations is due on February 15th.
