As the Chillicothe R-II School Districts and others in the area continue to struggle with the cost of student transportation, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is asking for less funding in this year’s budget request because of the pandemic.
Wednesday DESE presented their budget for next school year to lawmakers. The budget included multiple requests that are lower than what department officials say they need, including $185 million less than the maximum they could have requested for transportation.
Deputy Commissioner Kari Monsees says DESE’s request was lower because of COVID-19 effects on the state budget deficit.
In past years, DESE has requested more funds for transportation, something lawmakers have rejected.
