Rep. Cody Smith weighs in on SB 727
CARTHAGE, Mo. — The Missouri House Budget Chair responded Thursday in a debate over whether an education funding bill is good for Joplin Schools.
State representative Cody Smith, of Carthage, voted in favor of Senate Bill 727. He says it adds extra funding for education statewide – on top of a fully funded foundation formula – which is how the state distributes money for K-12 schools.
But earlier this week the Joplin School Board voted to ask the governor to veto the bill, saying they worried the state couldn’t afford to pay for costs connected to the bill.
That total would be about $500 million by 2031. Smith disagrees.
“I believe that the General Assembly can prioritize public education by $500 million more annually. And I also think that over the course of that implementation, that revenues will grow enough to absorb these costs,” said Rep. Smith.
Among other requirements: the bill would raise the base salary for a starting teacher from $25,000 a year to $40,000 for the 2025-26 school year and also add cost of living increases.
