The House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee convened Wednesday morning to consider a presentation on the foundation formula. Dr. Kari Monsees, Deputy Commissioner for Financial and Administrative Services at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), provided an overview of the history and components of the formula, which dictates how the state allocates funding to school districts. 

The current formula, written in 2005, seeks to ensure adequate per pupil funding between districts. The foundation formula has four essential components:

• Weighted average daily attendance
• The state adequacy target
• The dollar value modifier
• Local effort

Weighted average daily attendance (WADA) is the average daily attendance of a school district, adjusted to account for certain student characteristics, which allows school districts with higher concentrations of students who are expensive to educate to receive additional funds. The state adequacy target (SAT) is the dollar amount the state has determined as the adequate level of per-pupil funding each year. The dollar value modifier (DVM) adjusts the funding level for school districts in areas with a relatively high cost of living. The amount of these components determines how much total money a school district should receive from the state. 

In addition, roughly one-third of the districts aren't even on the formula and are "held-harmless", meaning their state aid payment is based on the previous formula because they received more funding under that model. In some states hold-harmless provisions are included initially, but gradually phased out. Missouri's hold-harmless provision is indefinite.

Following Dr. Monsees presentation, former Missouri State Representative David Wood, testifying as a private citizen, walked the committee through the evolution of the current formula. Describing the process as the "sausage you make, " Wood explained that districts with low property tax bases need more from the state to provide an adequate education. On the other hand, some districts have to spend more because they have student populations that cost more to educate depending on student needs, and districts in rural areas with declining enrollments. Therefore, certain tweaks to the formula could result in fewer dollars for certain districts. Wood added that lawmakers can't vote for something that will "cost your districts back home money," – meaning there can't be winners and losers. 

Here's the current school funding calculation:

(WADA)X(SAT)X(DVM)-(LE).

Here's a primer from the Show-Me Institute that explains what the alphabet soup means. 

Building denizens like to joke that probably only a half-dozen people in the state genuinely understand the formula. And even if you have a working knowledge of the formula, the complete history and context, i.e., "institutional knowledge," lies with the select few who were around "pre-2005" when lawmakers reformulated the student aid calculation.

Otto Fajen, who represents the Missouri NEA and helped draft the previous formula, testified on how he sees the role of the legislature with regard to public education. In 2004, a coalition of schools, students, and parents sued the state due to the economic downturn in 2000 that resulted in fewer dollars for schools. Fajen added that in a somewhat "unusual" move, Governor Matt Blunt instructed lawmakers to draft a new formula and force litigants to file a new lawsuit. 

The Missouri Supreme Court applied a "rational basis" rather than a "strict scrutiny" lens. It ruled that the new formula was constitutional, meaning the state formula included a provision to account for individual student needs like poverty, special education, and English-language learners. It also found that the funding exceeded the minimum constitutional requirement that the state spends at least 25% of general revenue on K-12 education.

"So that's the kind of formula you're at; it has survived a court challenge," Fajen explained. "You're in a position now where you are hearing about school finance because there's an awareness that there are factors that need to be tweaked."

Committee Chair Brad Pollitt acknowledged that the topic was complicated but said, "It's how we fund our public schools" and wanted members to have a basic understanding hinting that adjustments which could update the formula and make it more equitable may be forthcoming.

If you are interested in this formula discussion, this week's hearing is worth a listen. Click here and select "Elementary and Secondary Education - February 15th - 8:00 a.m.

Dr. Monsees dove into the weeds, but his expert understanding and ability to talk in plain language made this presentation both interesting and understandable.

Young fans celebrate the 2023 Superbowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs.

PHOTO CREDIT: Reed Hoffman/AP

This week, the workings of the Missouri General Assembly were disrupted by a parade in Kansas City honoring the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Schools all over the Kansas City area and as far reaching as St. Joseph, Missouri closed for the day so fans could celebrate with their team. The Missouri Legislature was no different. The House did no floor activity on Wednesday and held very few hearings. The Senate, on the other hand, held a brief morning Session to do a few housekeeping duties before they adjourned for the week.

Read more including an interesting take that describes the new era of civility in the Missouri Senate.

House Activity this Week

• Victims of Sexual Abuse - On Monday the House Judiciary Committee heard HB367, sponsored by Rep. Brian Seitz (R-Taney Co.), which update statute to allow victims of sexual abuse to bring suit against the assaulting party at any point before their 55th birthday 
• Child Custody Arrangements - The House Judiciary Committee also heard HB185 (Murphy) and HB281 (Schnelting) which require custody arrangements to begin at a minimum of 50/50 between divorcing parents
• Age of Enticement - The House Children & Families Committee heard HB454, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Coleman (R-Jackson Co) on Tuesday. HB454 increases the age of enticement of a child from 15 to 17 years.
• Postpartum Medicaid Coverage - On Wednesday the House Emerging Issues Committee heard all House versions of the 12 month postpartum coverage for moms on Medicaid 
• Anti-Gender Affirming Care - On Thursday the House General Laws Committee voted out a slightly amended version of HB419 (Hudson), which criminalizes parental and provider assistance for gender affirming care

Senate Activity this Week

• Anti-Gender Affirming Care - On Tuesday the Senate Emerging Issues Committee heard the Senate versions of anti-gender affirming care legislation, which will be voted out on Tuesday 2/20
• Don't Say Gay - On Tuesday morning the Senate Education Committee voted out an amended version of the "don't say gay" in schools bill 
• Mental Health Absences - On Tuesday morning the Senate Education Committee heard SB122 (May), which allow school districts to provide an excused absence for students experiencing a mental or behavioral health concern requiring intervention 
• Youth Employment - The Senate Education Committee also heard SB175 (Koenig), which removes employment in the entertainment industry from the industries required to issue a permit for employees below the age of 18

Budget Update

The House Appropriations Subcommittees continued to mark-up their assigned department’s budgets this week and the Senate Appropriations Committee continued to hear from the various departments regarding their FY 2024 budget requests. 

As this was a shortened week, several departments have yet to present their requests to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Also, this week, the full House revisited HCS HB 14, sponsored by Representative Cody Smith (R-Carthage) which is the Emergency Supplemental bill which was requested by the Governor. The bill includes an 8.7% pay raise for all state employees, plus an additional $2 increase for those state employees working late night or overnight shifts in certain departments. The bill also includes $20 million for school safety grants, $275 million in spending authority for SEMA to be able disperse federal payments, and $629,000 for black vulture migration. The bill total amounts to roughly $627 million with approximately $121 million from general revenue. The bill now will be sent to the Senate for further consideration. 

Tidbits

• Missouri state Senator Doug Beck advocates for legislation mandating a 5-day school week
• Gov. Mike Parson announced a new grant program for businesses to expand childcare opportunities throughout the state 
• A Missouri veteran canoed the 3,300 mile length of the Missouri River with her rescue dog 
• Missouri S&T was ranked among the top 10 schools for graduate income by a national publication 
• The Missouri Department of Economic Development announced more than $7.2 million in grants to nonprofit organizations through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). 
• Missouri's first mobile drug addiction treatment clinic opened this week
• The new University of Missouri Children's Hospital is on track to complete construction this fall

Upcoming Hearings / Action

• Childcare Tax Credits - The House Children & Families Committee will hear HB870 (Shields), which create 3 new tax credit programs to incentivize childcare investments on Tuesday morning
• Water Fluoridation - The House Health & Mental Health Policy Committee will hear HB1040 (Justus), which creates provisions relating to water fluoridation for municipalities on Tuesday.

Read our full legislative report for the week of February 13th.

Status Report - Aligned Priorities

Aligned supports most legislation that fits within our six core principles. Below is a status update on our top priorities.

The tax credit package for child care providers is moving!

Early Childhood

HB 833 (Shields) - Changes provisions governing early childhood education programs. Read Second Time (1-19-23) NO CHANGE

HB 870 (Shields) - Authorizes the "Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Act", the "Employer-Provided Child Care Assistance Tax Credit Act", and the "Child Care providers Tax Credit", related to tax credits for child care. (2/15/2023) - Referred: Children and Families. Hearing schedule for February 21st at 10:00 a.m.

SB 495 (Eslinger) - Same as HB 833 - Introduced and Read First Time (1-17-23) NO CHANGE

SB 509 (Arthur) - Same as HB 870 - Introduced and Read First Time (1-17-23) NO CHANGE

Teacher Recruitment and Retention

HB 190 (Lewis) - Allows school districts to create differentiated teacher salary schedules. Public Hearing Completed (2-1-23) NO CHANGE

HB 497 (Lewis) - Modifies the Urban Flights and Rural Needs Scholarship Program. Read Second Time (2-15-23) Scheduled for Committee Hearing on 2-22-23 at 8:00 am.

School Finance Reform

SB 17 (Arthur) - Modifies terms used in the elementary and secondary school funding formula. Referred to Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development on 1-12-23. NO CHANGE

Lawmakers approach half-way mark

This was the last full week for non-exempt committees to complete their work for the first half of the legislative session. Next Tuesday marks the official last day for those committees to meet, so a few of them still have agendas on the calendar. Starting next Wednesday, legislators will be on the floor working toward Turnaround on Friday, February 24.

All non-exempt bills that haven’t passed their house of origin by Turnaround are dead for the year. Lawmakers will then have a four-day weekend and return to start the second half of the session on Wednesday, March 1.

The Kansas Children’s Cabinet announces Child Care Capacity Accelerator Funding

As reported by KASB News.....

The Kansas Children's Cabinet is seeking community-based applications for $40 million in funding for the Child Care Capacity Accelerator. The goal is to expand licensed childcare slots in Kansas to meet family needs. School leaders can work with their partners in their community to apply for these funds, which support the Kansans Can outcome of kindergarten readiness.  

The cabinet is asking for letters of interest to be submitted by February 20 to measure potential demand for the funding. The cabinet will tentatively post the RFP form by March 10, and applications will be due by May 15. (The letter of interest is requested but not required to be considered for a grant.)  

The accelerator project blends two funding components from federal COVID relief funds awarded to Kansas. State funding through the Kansas Office of Recovery will provide $20 million for childcare expansion, which can cover capital construction costs. The Kansas Department for Children and Families is providing an additional $20 million for childcare, which can be used for operating expenses but NOT construction. All these funds are "one-time" dollars that will not be available for ongoing support.  

"We know there's a statewide shortage of childcare seats across communities for a variety of reasons,” explained Children's Cabinet Executive Director Melissa Rooker in a webinar about the funding. "In some cases, it is the physical space, and in other cases, it is the staffing. In some cases, it's both, and that needs to be considered as funding for both aspects." Applicants can develop a proposal for both construction and operations and the Cabinet can award dollars from both pots of money to meet those needs.  

There are specific requirements to receive this funding. First, the project must expand licensed childcare spots, not renovate or improve existing positions. Second, recipients can only use the funding to cover some costs. "Our funding could be either the last mile funding or catalytic funding,” Rooker said. “That could mean you might already have partial fundraising and you've identified local dollars, private sector dollars or other sources but still have a gap and we could fill that gap. Or this funding could be that catalytic funding that unlocks match funding that exists for you once you have reached the milestone." 

Applicants need to demonstrate a community approach in their submissions. Several Kansas communities have partnered with Child Care Aware of Kansas through the Communities-in-Action program. This program helps community coalitions identify local solutions to childcare challenges. This kind of community-wide collaboration will be essential to show for the accelerator funding. Other departments that offer community support include: 

• Kansas Department of Health and Environment Child Care Licensing (i.e., local surveyors)  
• Child Care Go Team (a team representing state agencies to quickly address specific pain points in expanding childcare 
• Community Outreach and Engagement Team at Child Care Aware of Kansas 

While a community approach is required for the application, applicants can be any entity the community identifies as best suited or equipped to play that role. Entities that can apply include: 

• Educational institutions 
• School districts 
• City and county governments 
• Economic development organizations 
• Community-based organizations 
• Private entities 
• Faith-based organizations 

The cabinet will seek expertise and experience in overseeing capital grant and community development projects, including reporting obligations. The application will also be expected to show support from community partnerships and to have identified their role in decision-making processes. Applicants must demonstrate that they can continue the program after the funding. 

"We have experienced in particular instances in Kansas over the last few years where communities came together, did wonderful things with converting space for childcare, and then have been left struggling to keep a program running and sustain it operationally,” she noted. “We've learned from that and want to ensure that we don't repeat past mistakes, so sustainability planning is important."  

Community leaders interested in applying for the Child Care Community Accelerator can find more information here on the Children's Cabinet website. See the Letter of Interest guidelines.

See all education bills heard this week.

Research has proven that Durable Skills - like communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership - are in demand across the workforce. However, employers largely struggle to validate these skills for potential hires without a four-year degree. To build a thriving future economy throughout Kansas and Missouri, we need to identify effective ways for employers to overcome this challenge. 

America Succeeds and CompTIA have committed to bring a diverse group of employers together to create a universal competency framework for Durable Skills - effectively, a rubric that will assist employers, educators, and young people in aligning with the skills required to succeed in the modern workplace. The rubric will be developed through three distinct phases: creating a prototype, collecting broad feedback on that prototype, and refinding the prototype into a final version. Ultimately, the goal is to create a suite of products that drive equity and opportunity for learners while helping employers better identify the talent they need. 

We’re currently looking for business leaders from across the country to get involved. Through a series of regional events, participants will consider whether the draft rubric applies within their job pathways, industries, or regions and if there are other key considerations we missed that should be integrated into the final version.

With our partners from America Succeeds and CompTIA, we will host two events in March - one in Kansas City (3/29) and one is St. Louis (3/30). Please reach out if you would like an invitation.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Torree Pederson

President

Aligned

Torree@WeAreAligned.org

(913) 484-4202

Linda Rallo

Vice President

Aligned

Linda@WeAreAligned.org

(314) 330-8442

Download our 2024 Annual Report