By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – A new report says Missouri schools need a funding boost of nearly $1 billion just to meet state and federal achievement guidelines.
The report is from John Augenblick, a consultant in Denver, who says districts aren't getting enough money to do what's expected of them.
It's being distributed by a business and education group called the Missouri Education Coalition for Adequacy.
The study says schools would have needed $913 million more in the 2001-02 school year to adequately fund education. That's a nearly 16% increase.
It also suggests teacher pay raises of 5.75% to bring salaries in line with bordering states.