A study of problems inherent in public school funding practices and the impact of Missouri Revised Statute 137 on St. Charles County school districts

This project first presents an overview of public school finance in the United States and the types of funding models as they have evolved overtime. Equity and adequacy issues of school funding are reviewed along with the impact of resulting litigation. Horizontal and vertical equity, as well as equal access to an adequate education, is also addressed. The project focus moves from a very broad look at public education funding throughout the nation to a more specific look at education funding practices in the state of Missouri. The project addresses both legislative and judicial attempts to resolve Missouri's school funding inequities.;The focus of the project then spotlights the impact of Missouri's school finance legislation specifically in respect to new construction---Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 137, Assessment and Levy of Property Taxes, Section 137.082. In analyzing the impact of new construction legislation, the study again narrows its focus to five school districts located in St. Charles County, Missouri, and takes a look at how these five districts approach and interpret the new construction legislation.;Data from the five, St. Charles County School Districts indicate the legislation has required taxing jurisdictions to reduce operating levies for property tax classifications. While initially advantageous by providing immediate revenue from new residential properties, funding, over time, has ultimately been reduced for four of the five districts in St. Charles County. Trend data predicts this funding reduction likely to occur in the fifth district as well. The project team's recommendation is that Missouri legislators revisit the statute in an effort to ensure a positive and long-term impact on local revenues to support public services, including school districts.