1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

The district I teach in just released information that out per pupil expenditure number for fiscal year 26 has been reduced by $245 which results in a shortfall of over $5 million for my district alone. This is not unique to my district and is hurting public schools across Missouri. Thanks to the work of the legislature, this new reality is expected to continue in FY 27. This comes on the heels of our state’s move to slash taxes and move away from income tax to replace it with a sales tax that would disproportionately affect lower income households. The National Education Association also just released a study that shows Missouri ranks 49th in average teacher salary. Our schools, teachers, and students are victims of the legislature’s refusal to fully and properly fund public schools. Furthermore, the legislature is failing to abide by and live up to the promise of public schools in the Missouri Constitution. Fund our schools fully. Quit giving money to unaccountable private and charter schools. Quit trying to shift the tax burden to our lower income families.