Students exit the bus and walk into Locust Street Expressive Arts Elementary School

Students get off the bus at Locust Street Expressive Arts Elementary School in Columbia.

JEFFERSON CITY — Two bills working through the legislature would significantly increase the state’s funding for public schools, but leadership’s other priorities are crowding out their chances of getting through this session.

Missouri ranks last in the nation for teacher pay and 37th for median expenditures per student.

  • Assistant city editor, Summer 2023. Studying journalism, political science and German. Reach me at emjnkc@umsystem.edu, or in the newsroom at 573-882-5720! :)

  • Fred Anklam Jr. manages reporters covering state government. He can be reached at anklamf@missouri.edu.