Legislative Update for 

SDOW District Advocates: April 13, 2026

As we enter the final five weeks of the Missouri legislative session, several high-stakes issues have reached a tipping point. These decisions will directly impact the School District of Washington’s funding, classroom operations, and local control. Below is a summary of the key issues currently under debate in Jefferson City and how they affect our students.

The Budget: A $478 Million Challenge (HB 2002)

The state budget is now in the hands of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Currently, Missouri schools are facing a potential $478.9 million funding gap over a two-year period. This is driven by overestimations in gaming and lottery revenues and a shortfall in transportation funding.

• The Impact: For SDOW, these shortfalls mean the state funding we rely on is not meeting the promised targets, putting more pressure on our local resources.
• The Solution: There is currently $190 million sitting unappropriated in the Prop C fund. We are advocating for the Senate to "put this money to work" by increasing the Prop C appropriation. This would use existing tax dollars to offset the shortfall without requiring new taxes.

Literacy & Mandatory Retention (HB 2872)

Legislation regarding early childhood literacy is moving quickly through the Senate. While we fully support the "Science of Reading" and the rigorous teacher retraining (LETRS) our staff is currently undergoing, we have serious concerns about new mandates in these bills.

• Mandatory Retention: These bills would require 3rd-grade students to be held back based solely on a state test score, removing the decision-making power from parents and teachers.
• Unfunded Mandates: The bills require "intensive acceleration classrooms" with very small class sizes. As a district that is 75% locally funded, requiring specialized staffing without state funding creates an unrealistic burden on our local budget.

Property Tax and Income Tax Shifts

Debate has intensified on proposals that could permanently alter how our schools are funded.

• Property Tax: Senators are currently discussing an "omnibus" property tax bill (SB 1410). Because 75% of SDOW's budget comes from local property taxes, any changes to levy authority or rollback requirements directly impact our ability to fund daily classroom operations.
• Income Tax Phase-Out: A proposal to eliminate the state income tax (HJR 173) is also advancing. Since income tax is the primary driver of the state's general revenue, a phase-out without a clear replacement plan threatens the long-term stability of the Foundation Formula that funds all Missouri schools.

Our Stance: "Let the Paint Dry"

Missouri passed major literacy and funding reforms in 2022. Our teachers are currently in the middle of a two-year training process to implement those changes. We are asking lawmakers to allow these existing reforms to take hold and show results before layering on new, high-stakes mandates and financial cuts.

Legislative Overload – 10-Year Context

The LINKED Legislative Overload document provides a brief overview of major public education legislation over the past decade. It highlights how cumulative policy changes — particularly related to funding, property taxes, and school choice — have gradually increased financial pressure and reduced local flexibility for districts.

What Advocates Can Do

• Contact your State Representative and Senator regarding the bills listed above. (Contact information is available on the main Legislative page on the district website: School District of Washington website

Senator Ben Brown: 573-751-3678 | Ben.Brown@senate.mo.gov

Representative John Simmons: 573-751-3776 | John.Simmons@house.mo.gov

• Ask legislators how they are evaluating the combined impact of multiple proposals on local schools, rather than considering each bill in isolation.

• Share why stable funding matters, including how it supports staffing, class sizes, academic programs, and opportunities for students in our community.