Superintendents study state funding formula

Kevin Dunn, left, superintendent of the Perry County 32 School District, Senator Jason Crowell, Representative Donna Lichtenegger, Dr. Gerald Landewee, superintendent of the Oak Ridge R-VI School District, Dr. Jim Welker, superintendent of the Cape Girardeau School District, and Dr. Ron Anderson, Superintendent of the Jackson R-II School District, gathered recently for a workshop in Jefferson City to discuss the Missouri public school foundation formula. The workshop was sponsored by the Missouri Association of School Administrators. The Missouri public school foundation formula is the mechanism by which school districts receive state funds to operate their schools. It is the largest single appropriation from general revenue in the state budget. The 2011-12 school year is the sixth year of a seven-year phase-in of the current formula. The workshop was presented by Dr. Chris Straub, a former superintendent and adjunct professor, currently teaching school finance for the education doctorate program at St. Louis University, and for the education specialist program at the University of Central Missouri