Editor’s note: This is the second installment of a two-part story.
“I have and always will support Missouri teachers. Since the beginning of our administration, we’ve looked at ways to increase teacher pay and reward our educators for the hard work they do, and this legislation helps us continue that progress,” Gov. Mike Parson said after signing the new education bill into law. “We ask a lot of our educators when it comes to teaching and caring for our children. Together, this legislation supports Missouri students, teachers, and families with more educational opportunities to succeed — including additional investments in pre-k — while ensuring our teachers earn a better wage.”
Parson signed a new education bill into law May 8, the thrust of which is set to increase minimum teachers’ pay in Missouri, along with other financial incentives. But area administrators have some serious questions concerning the new law.
At the heart of the issue is the matter of teacher pay, where Missouri ranks second from last in starting teacher pay, according to the Missouri National Education Association. The matter, along with other educational funding issues, was discussed throughout the session and the Senate put all the items together into bill SB 727. That is the bill Parson signed into law.
However, Twin Rivers RX School Superintendent Rob Brown believes there is a hefty caveat that should accompany those words. In previous school board meetings, Brown has noted there is currently a funding grant available to help cover the cost of the increased salaries; but, he also noted, there is no language in place that guarantees that funding source for any period of time.
According to a report recently published by the Missouri Independent, The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is anticipating asking lawmakers for more money later this year in order to meet the demands of the new law and to make up for reduced federal funding. The budget has yet to face any vetoes or budget changes from the governor’s office, and the recently approved budget is substantially less than the previous year’s appropriation.
The recently approved budget reduces current funding for two child care subsidies by $23.4 million. Among the other numerous provisions in the bill is charter school funding in more locations — which, coupled with increased allocations for the MOScholars program — could possibly reduce the total funding that could be available to public schools in the future.
Brown was one of many public school administrators in the state that addressed professional concerns regarding the bill in a letter to the governor.
“It remains to be seen (whether or not schools could lose existing funding due to other areas of increase in the bill) but that is our fear, yes,” Brown said. “It could divert funding away from public schools.”
Neelyville R-IV Schools Superintendent Heather Black expressed all of the same concerns as Brown.
“The 2024-25 salary schedule hasn’t been set yet,” Black noted. “But we will be focusing on that and getting a budget approves soon. With the new law, we’re looking at a salary increase of $5,928 to reach the new base level.”
Black said she believes smaller school districts offer the attraction of a smaller, more comfortable type of environment for teachers to consider.
“I mean, if all the schools are set to pay the same minimum amount, that does reduce the competitive aspect as far as pay is concerned,” Black explained. “And I think that small schools like Neelyville do have an edge by offering a more family-type environment for the teachers. It’s a good atmosphere and the faculty feels that. It’s more of a sense of connection.”
The state has been offering an optional grant program to raise teacher pay to $38,000, subject to annual re-appropriation. This year, that amount will rise to $40,000 before the new law forces districts to raise salaries with a grant program that will also require funds annually. However, that grant program is what concerns Brown, as there is no indication that grant funding will be in place in perpetuity.
The fear, according to concerns that were earlier presented by Brown to the Twin Rivers School Board, is that if that grant program ends and the school is left being solely responsible for the salary increases, the cost of maintaining this would be an additional cost to the school of close to three-quarters of a million dollars from the school’s general revenue.
Brown, Black, and Poplar Bluff R-I Superintendent Aaron Cornman all said they will have many things to discuss with their school boards in the meetings to come.
“At our next scheduled board meeting, we will have some options for our board to consider, to discuss,” Brown said. “And we will have to make some wise decisions.”
“I think this is going to impact everyone,” Black remarked. “Small districts and large districts could both be hurt badly. But I think the smaller districts will be hurt first.”