A Joint Letter from Jefferson County School Superintendents
Families, Staff, and Community Members of Jefferson County Public Schools,
Jefferson County school districts are projected to receive approximately $11 million less in state funding for the 2026–2027 school year than they would receive if Missouri fully funded its school funding formula.
These estimated funding shortfalls affect public school districts throughout Jefferson County and represent revenue that would otherwise be available to support educational programs, staffing, student services, and daily school operations.
Estimated State Funding Shortfalls by School District:
Figures reflect estimated funding shortfalls for Fiscal Year 2027 (2026–2027 school year) and are rounded to the nearest $1,000.
Total Estimated Funding Shortfall for Jefferson County School Districts: $11,000,000
As Superintendents and leaders of your local school districts, we want to share an important concern with you regarding the funding for public education within the state of Missouri.
We are asking our families, staff, community members, businesses, and local organizations to stand with our schools and advocate for full funding for public education. Our students deserve the resources they need to learn, grow, and prepare for their futures. Currently, the State is allowing a $300 million shortfall in Missouri Public Education. The public school districts in Jefferson County serve approximately 34,800 total students across the 11 public school districts.
The Missouri Legislature has the ability to provide additional funding and fully support public education. We encourage you to contact your state legislators and ask them to support full funding for our schools. We also encourage you to contact your local Superintendent if you would like more information about how these funding decisions may affect your school district. Our Governor and/or the Legislature can restore funding for schools in the coming months, but they will only do so if everyone advocates for this together.
At the September State Board meeting, the State Board of Education chose not to request full funding for public education. If this funding is not restored, our local school districts could face significant financial losses. These cuts could affect the services and opportunities we provide to students and families in our communities.
We strive to manage our budgets responsibly and will continue to do so. Our Districts maintain fund balances to meet payroll and other obligations throughout the year, respond to unexpected costs, and plan responsibly for future needs. These funds are not a permanent solution for replacing recurring state revenue. Continued reductions in state funding will eventually require districts to make difficult long-term decisions about programs, staffing, services, and other priorities.
At times like this, it is important to remember that our schools and our communities depend on each other. Our schools are stronger because of the support of our communities, and our communities are stronger because of our schools.
For generations, we have worked together to help one another. When floods and tornadoes have affected our communities, our schools have opened their doors to provide safe places for people. When families have faced the unimaginable loss of a loved one, our communities have come together to provide care and support. Local businesses, families, and organizations have donated time and resources to support our students, including helping provide food for children on weekends.
These are more than acts of kindness. They show what makes our communities strong: we take care of one another.
Now, our public schools need that same support.
Our schools are part of the foundation of our communities. When we support our schools, we support our students, our families, and the future of our communities.
Thank you for standing with our schools and for continuing to show what is possible when our communities work together.