Dragon Nation,
Public education is near and dear to my heart, and it is currently facing an uphill battle for funding. I want to ensure our families are aware of several legislative proposals that could directly affect our district’s local revenue and, ultimately, the services we provide to students.
Public education in Missouri is funded through a partnership among local, county, state, and federal sources. For Mid-Buchanan R-V, the majority of our funding—54.8%—comes from local sources. These funds primarily come from real estate and personal property taxes and are tied to our current levy.
Our Current Levy
Mid-Buchanan’s total levy is $5.4951, distributed as follows:
Operating (General) Fund: $4.0951 - supports the district’s day-to-day operations
Debt Service: $0.900 - pays bond payments and allows the district to expand and improve our campus through voter approval.
Capital (School Improvement): $0.5000 - supports large facility and improvement projects.
This year, our district received $5,014,512 in local funds, which play a critical role in maintaining programs, staffing, facilities, safety upgrades, academic resources, and other items needed for student success. All state and federal funds primarily support certified salaries, including those for teachers, counselors, and administrators.
Overall Funding Breakdown
Our district’s funding comes from:
Local sources: 54.8%
County sources: 6%
State sources: 32.8%
Federal sources: 6.2%
Because more than half of our funding comes from local sources, changes to property tax legislation can significantly affect our district.
Legislative Proposals to Watch
Several bills currently under consideration in the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate could reduce school district revenues. If all property tax-related bills currently being discussed were to pass, Mid-Buchanan R-V could see an estimated loss of approximately $800,000 in revenue.
Some of the key proposals include:
HB 2780 (which now includes provisions from HB 2668)
Moves property taxes to a multi-rate system
Includes new construction and personal property, subject to Hancock calculations
Estimated FY2026 revenue loss: $237,704
HJR 148
Adjusts revenue-neutral requirements
Subjects additional categories, including debt service, to Hancock
Estimated FY2026 revenue loss: $183,786
HB 2709
Removes language allowing correction of tax rates if a district is set to lose revenue
Removes new personal property from being calculated as new construction
Estimated FY2026 revenue loss: $185,572
HB 1766
Maintains a single rate calculation
Includes new personal property as subject to Hancock
Estimated FY2026 revenue loss: $121,641
These bills are connected to the Hancock Amendment, which ties levy rollbacks to inflation and assessed valuation growth. Changes to how new construction, personal property, and tax rate corrections are calculated could significantly reduce local revenues—even if property values increase.
State Budget Considerations
In addition to property tax legislation, the Governor’s proposed budget includes $190 million for private and charter schools and an additional $10 million for the MoScholars program. These funds would be drawn from the public school funding formula. Public schools are required to educate all students, regardless of need, to comply with state regulations such as certified teachers and a state-mandated curriculum, and to be assessed annually by the state. Private schools are not held to these same standards. If funding is redirected, public schools would still be held to these standards with fewer financial resources.
How You Can Stay Involved
We encourage our families and community members to stay informed and share their perspectives with our local legislators. You may reach out to:
Bill Faulkner - District 10, Missouri House of Representatives
Sean Pouche – District 13, Missouri House of Representatives
Brenda Shields – District 11, Missouri House of Representatives
Rusty Black- District 12, Missouri Senate
Tony Luetkemeyer- District 34, Missouri Senate
Hearing directly from constituents is an important part of the legislative process. Sharing how proposed changes could impact our district ensures that the needs of Mid-Buchanan students and families are understood.
Why This Matters
Mid-Buchanan has worked hard to maintain strong academics, safe facilities, up-to-date technology, and opportunities for all students. Legislative changes to property tax calculations and state funding allocations could directly affect our ability to:
Maintain staffing
Support programs and student services
Fund facility improvements
Ensure long-term financial stability
I will continue to closely monitor legislation and advocate for our students and community. I encourage families to stay informed about the legislative session and to understand how state decisions affect local schools.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to reach out. Working together and staying informed are among the best ways we can support the future of Mid-Buchanan and public education as a whole.
Sincerely,
April Campbell
Mid-Buchanan Superintendent