HERMANN – The eight school districts in the Four Rivers Conference are estimating they will lose more than $5.6 million in state funding next school year, according to a letter sent last week to the members of the communities served by the districts.

Spearheaded by Gasconade County R-1 Superintendent Geoff Neill, the letter notes that the revenue loss is a result of cuts made by state government and it outlines how much each of the districts are projected to lose. The districts project a collective loss of $5,663,118.

“As superintendents of the Four Rivers Conference, we are asking our families, staff, businesses, community organizations and residents to stand with our schools and advocate for full state funding for public education,” the school administrators said in the letter.

The letter noted that at its September session, the State Board of Education chose not to request full funding for public schools.

“Without restored funding from the Missouri legislature and governor, Four Rivers Conference districts could face significant financial losses that could affect staffing, programs, student services and educational opportunities,” the superintendents wrote. “Our districts work hard to manage budgets responsibly, but fund balances cannot replace ongoing state revenue. Continued funding reductions will force additional difficult decisions that directly affect students and families.”

As for the projected losses, Gasconade County R-1 (Hermann) faces a reduction of $315,000. The superintendents of the seven other Four Rivers Conference districts and their projected losses are Dr. Staci Johnson, Gasconade Count R-2 (Owensville), $671,812; Dr. Camearrie Schwierjohn, Merc Valley R-3 (Pacific), $1,161,103; Dr. Josh Hoener, New Haven, $176,313; Melissa Husereau, St. Clair R-13, $763,637; Tim Webster, St. James R-1, $616,502; Dr. Matt Peregoy, Sullivan C-2 School District, $716,065; Dr. Dan Kania, Union R-11, $1,242,368.

Neill told The Republican that the funding shortfall only adds to Missouri’s low ranking for funding public education. “Missouri currently funds public schools at a level that ranks 49th nationally. Gasconade County R-1 is projected to receive 20 percent to 23 percent of its funding from the state, while local funding is projected to cover 68 percent to 70 percent,” he said. “Because the national average for state funding is 47 percent, this disparity translates directly into higher local taxes. As the state has reduced its support, our local communities have had to pick up the burden,” the R-1 superintendent said.

“To make matters worse, the Missouri Public Education System has projected a $190 million shortfall this year and nearly $300 million next year. All while voucher programs continue to siphon money from an already depleted source to provide assistance to private schools with little to no accountability. Simply put, the students in Gasconade County and the 800,000 students across Missouri deserve better,” he said.