The state of Missouri is taking another look at how public schools are funded.

The School Funding Modernization Task Force, a group of educators, finance experts, and policymakers, is developing proposals that could significantly change how districts like Cassville R-IV receive state funds. While these proposals are still in progress, it’s important to understand what is being discussed and what it could mean for our students, staff and community.

At the center of the conversation is something called the state adequacy target, the per-student amount the state believes is needed to provide a quality education. Right now, that amount is based on the spending of “performance districts.” A performance district is one that earns at least 90% of the total points possible on the state’s MSIP evaluation. These top-performing districts are used as models of adequacy, meaning the state looks at how much they spend per student and uses that data to help calculate the state adequacy target.

The task force is considering a new approach that uses enrollment numbers instead of attendance and gives additional weight for students with disabilities, those from low-income families, and English-language learners. Early estimates suggest the target could rise from about $7,145 per student to more than $10,000 per student. While that could mean more resources for many districts, including ours, it could also come with adjustments that shift more responsibility to local taxpayers.

For Cassville, that means this change could be both an opportunity and a challenge; more support for students with higher needs, but possibly more pressure on local funding sources.

Currently, the state formula subtracts “local effort” (mainly property tax revenue) from what the state provides. The task force is considering updating that part of the equation, since property taxes do not always reflect a community’s true financial capacity. They are exploring a mix of factors (not just property values) to determine how much a district can reasonably contribute.

Missouri is already moving toward basing school funding on enrollment instead of attendance. This shift would create a more fair system for schools that serve students facing challenges like transportation, illness or family instability. Cassville R-IV has worked hard to maintain strong attendance, but enrollment-based funding would help stabilize our budget when attendance dips for reasons beyond our control.

The proposed formula changes would also remove the thresholds that currently limit extra funding for students who need additional support, such as those with disabilities, those learning English, or those from lower-income homes. Under the new model, every student in these categories would bring in additional funding. For Cassville, this means we could better match resources to real needs, ensuring every student gets the support they deserve.

The state is also considering performance- based funding, which could reward schools for strong academic outcomes, particularly in reading and math. While this idea is still being developed, it will be important to ensure that success measures are fair and take into account the challenges faced by rural and high-need districts.

At Cassville, we know that true success is measured not only by test scores but also by growth, character and opportunity.

The task force will continue its work through next year and make final recommendations to the governor in December 2026. Until then, I will stay engaged and advocate for a fair, stable, and adequate funding system that supports all Missouri students.

Our community has always come together to do what is best for kids. As the state revisits its funding formula, we will keep pushing for changes that make sense for rural schools like Cassville R-IV.

Merlyn Johnson is the superintendent of the Cassville school district. He may be reached at mjohnson@cassville. k12.mo.us.