School funding

Springfield News-Leader

Sen. Charlie Shields last week laid the foundation for a new way to pay for Missouri public education. It is short of detail, but full of promise.

The St. Joseph Republican's proposal would define the minimum financial amount needed for an adequate education, then guarantee that at least that amount would be spent in every school district. ... But moving this idea into reality will not come easily ... . For starters, how should the state define an adequate education? Shields suggests looking at the average spending of districts that meet every state standard, which would be just under $7,000 per pupil in direct operating expenditures. ...

The $7,000 would come from the state and the district. One consultant suggested requiring all school districts to set their property tax levy at a designated amount. The state would make up the difference to get to $7,000 per student. ...

Legislators with special circumstances ... will argue that those factors should bring additional money. They will be right.

And the biggest challenge: Shields estimates this approach will cost the state an additional $400 million to $600 million a year. ... Where will the state come up with the money? ...

But with a lawsuit hanging over their heads, legislators need to act. Shields' proposal, as it is fleshed out, gives them a place to start. ... We urge legislators to look at what is best for the state as a whole _ and what will give all children a world-class education.