How inflation is impacting Missouri’s education department’s budget

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Just like Americans are paying more for gas and eggs at the grocery store, Missouri schools are also feeling the effects of inflation.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is unveiling its proposed budget for the next fiscal year, and it includes an added $135 million to pay for an increase in the transportation and foundation formulas. There’s also a request for the state to pay for programs that were originally funded by federal COVID relief dollars, since that money will soon be gone.

“Cost for operating transportation across districts and across the state has significantly been impacted by fuel costs, staffing costs and the cost of equipment,” DESE Deputy Commissioner Kari Monsees said. “We are asking for additional federal capacity—an increase of about $37 million for the food service programs.”

The full article is available at ozarksfirst.com.

(Story by Emily Manley, Kevin S. Held, ozarksfirst.com)