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School finance director urges early budget amendments, long-range planning; MSBA conference previewed
Summary
Linda Quinley, director of school finance, told trustees to expect early budget amendments after fall membership and valuation data and urged simple long-range financial planning; she also previewed sessions at the MSBA annual conference including an AI in education symposium.
Linda Quinley, director of school finance, briefed the EXCELSIOR SPRINGS 40 board on what to watch during the first month of the school year: early budget amendments, fall membership counts and rising assessed valuations that can prompt community questions about taxes.
Why it matters: Quinley said the combination of updated enrollment (membership) counts and finalized assessed valuations will clarify expected revenue and may require a first budget amendment early in the year. She emphasized the need to explain local revenue dynamics to the community and noted the Hancock Amendment’s role in limiting net property-tax increases.
Key points: Quinley urged districts to adopt a simple long-range financial plan to anticipate revenue declines or flattening and growing statutory commitments. She said larger districts often maintain such models but advocated one for districts of every size in Missouri.
Quinley previewed the 2025 Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) annual conference (Oct. 23–25 in Kansas City) and a preconference AI in Education Symposium on Oct. 22. She said the conference offers finance workshops, sessions for new board members, and a delegate assembly to weigh in on public education issues ahead of the legislative session. Mark Henderson, MSBA’s director of digital initiatives, described sessions addressing AI implementation, cybersecurity, policy development and student voices.
Quinley said districts should communicate clearly with the community about revenue and the effect of state formula changes and federal funding streams, especially in higher-need districts that receive larger federal allocations.
