Jasper Winterton
Feature Editor
“The current 2024-2025 budget shows an operating deficit of about $1.7 million. Next year, we are projecting a deficit that could reach more than $2 million,” Jacob Myers, chief finance and operations officer, said via email.
According to the Webster Groves School District annual budget summary, “This year due to the enrollment decline, the district is reducing 6.5 full time equivalents (FTE) throughout the district. This reduction will help offset the $800,000 loss in state funding formula revenue that is expected in FY25 (Fiscal Year 2024-25) due to lower student enrollment.”
Myers said that Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe’s recommendation to underfund the school district foundation formula for the 2025-2026 school year will result in a loss of about $1.5 million in anticipated revenue for the Webster Groves School District.
The annual budget summary states, “Despite these challenges the district remains in a solid financial position with an expected fund balance of 48.99% at the end of the year.”
According to Missouri Independent, Kehoe suggested shifting $50 million into a program that helps students pay to attend private and religious schools. His new budget plan also falls $300 million short of meeting the targets set in state law for public education.
According to Columbia Missourian, Kehoe proposed a $200 million increase in funding for the foundation formula, which determines how much money goes to public schools, but the total proposed amount falls short of the $500 million increase recommended by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Myers said, “Each year, the budget is assessed utilizing the strategic plan, funding levels, prioritization, required spend, and student impact. With fewer resources provided by the State of Missouri, it will result in a lesser ability to add additional programming and further assessments on how to save money will be completed.”
“Currently, classes and programming have not been drastically impacted by the budget cut. As the district is currently deficit spending (spending more than receiving), cost saving measures will have to be evaluated in a way that is strategic and follows the current priorities of the district,” Myers added.
Jasper Winterton-Feature EditorThis will be Jasper Winterton’s first year on ECHO staff. He made several contributions while taking journalism class his freshman year. |
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