Dear Southern Boone School District Staff and Families,
At its June meeting, the Southern Boone Board of Education reviewed and approved the district's budget for the 2026-2027 school year. As we continue planning for the future, we want to share several important budget highlights and provide context for some of the decisions reflected in the budget.
State Funding Challenges
One of the most significant factors affecting the district's budget is a projected reduction in state funding.
Southern Boone is anticipating a decrease of approximately $343,145 in state funding during the current 2025-2026 fiscal year and an additional projected decrease of $642,735 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
These projected reductions are the result of changes to Missouri's State Adequacy Target (SAT), which is used to determine the amount of per-student funding school districts receive from the state. As the SAT decreases, the amount of funding available to school districts is also reduced.
Despite these challenges, the district remains committed to maintaining strong educational programs, supporting students, and investing in our employees while continuing to be responsible stewards of taxpayer resources.
Employee Compensation and Benefits
Supporting and retaining high-quality staff remains a priority in the 2026-2027 budget. The budget includes:
A 2% cost-of-living increase to the base salary schedule for certificated staff.
Step advancements or step equivalency for eligible employees.
Adjustments allowing staff and coaches to receive credit for up to 14 years of experience.
Middle school math collaboration stipends.
An increase in eligible stipends from 1% to 2%.
A 2% salary increase for non-certificated employees.
A 2% cost-of-living increase for administrators.
The district will experience a 2.9% increase in health insurance costs for the 2026-2027 school year. There will be no changes to employee health insurance coverage, and Southern Boone will continue to pay 100% of health insurance premiums for eligible district employees.
Overall, salary and benefit expenditures are projected to increase by approximately $143,820 compared to the current fiscal year.
Staffing Adjustments
As part of the budget planning process, the district reviewed enrollment projections and staffing needs across all buildings.
To align staffing with enrollment projections, Southern Boone will not fill several positions that became vacant through attrition. No employees were laid off as a result of these staffing adjustments. The positions affected became vacant through retirements, resignations, or other natural staff transitions.
This approach allows the district to manage expenses responsibly while continuing to meet the educational needs of students.
Learn More About the 2026-2027 District Budget
Staff, parents, and community members interested in learning more about the district's budget can review the following resources:
District Budget Video Presentation:
https://www.youtube.com/live/xdBRadv2pOg?si=mqwfWlVmvG4EIMrZ&t=2682
District Budget Presentation:
https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=37&AID=589402&MID=25780
2026-2027 District Budget Document:
https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=37&AID=589007&MID=25780
These resources provide additional details regarding district revenues, expenditures, staffing, compensation, benefits, and financial planning for the upcoming school year.
Looking Ahead
While Southern Boone is facing revenue challenges due to declining local and state funding, these challenges are not unique to our district. School districts across Missouri are experiencing similar funding pressures as a result of reductions in the State Adequacy Target and other financial factors affecting public education. Despite these challenges, Southern Boone remains financially stable and committed to responsible fiscal management while continuing to provide exceptional educational opportunities for every student.
We appreciate the continued support of our staff, families, and community as we work together to ensure Southern Boone remains a place where students and employees can thrive.
Yours in Education,
Dr. Tim Roth
School Superintendent