Ozark R-VI administrator warns of state budget uncertainty and highlights education bills to watch

District administrators briefed the Ozark R-VI board on state budget developments and several bills that could affect district funding and operations.

The administrator said the student adequacy target to be fully funded would be $7,145 and that the district is operating at $6,900 per student this year; they added that a House budget version had lowered that figure to about $6,700 before the Senate restored some funding. "So we are looking at a budget shortfall in state revenue next year," the administrator said, urging the board to monitor developments and engage with legislators.

Officials identified specific legislation to watch: House Bill 2,872 (literacy, described as mandating third-grade retention without parent input), Senate Bill 971 (open enrollment, described as not yet a priority in the session), House Bill 2710 (report card/ADA reporting), and Senate Bill 863 (described as changes to MSHA governance). The administrator said the budget must be finalized and sent to the governor by May 8.

Board members discussed implications for programming and noted uncertainties around how changes in tax policy (income vs. sales tax) could affect state education funding. The administration said it would update the board on material changes and return to the next meeting with any required policy adjustments or requests for board action.