Missouri education officials outline $497 million foundation formula increase; governor recommends $200 million

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education officials told the House Budget Committee on Feb. 3 that changes required by the state dequacy target recalculation and provisions in Senate Bill 727 produced a potential $497 million increase in the foundation formula for fiscal year 2026. The department sked legislators to fund the full amount; the governor recommended $200 million, plus $150 million to backfill projected lottery and gaming shortfalls.

The foundation formula is the state—all for operating K—2 education. "The state adequacy target went from $6,375 to $6,760 for this fiscal year," said DESE officials during the presentation, and a larger target combined with SB 727 changes such as phased movement to enrollment-based funding, a new 1% incentive for extended calendars and changes to pre-K funding…