Gasconade County R-2 Schools Superintendent Dr. Chuck Garner said he went to the Missouri School Board Association’s Legislative Forum Day and learned of some of the education bills going through legislation.

“There are a couple that stuck out for me that would be positive for us and some that are concerning,” Garner began his budget preparation discussion with Board of Education directors. “One of them at the end of the fiscal cycle, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is based on the weighted ADA of all school districts. Depending on how attendance for the state goes, that may mean the Foundation Formula has a little bit left over or they are a little short.”

The current situation states that if there is money left over in the Foundation Formula it is rolled back into the general revenue.

“But a bill by Rep. David Wood would say if they have that money it would roll over to transportation and be categorical instead of rolling back into general revenue,” Garner said. “Knowing that transportation is $200 million dollars underfunded, I am in support of that.”

Garner said he also spoke to representatives about SB 660, which would authorize the Gasconade R-2 School District, which crosses county boundaries, to use the county that yields the highest dollar value modifier under the school Foundation Formula.

“It has not been put on the calendar for the Education Committee in the Senate for debate,” Garner said. “They said I am third in line right now.”

He made contact with the senator who is chairing the Education Committee to set up a meeting. “We will see if we can at least get a hearing on it,” Garner said. “If we do that, I will let you know.”