JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Mike Parson says a north ºüÀêÊÓƵ County school district should pursue other funding options if officials want to launch a major overhaul of its aging buildings.
The Republican governor, in his budget message June 30, said Riverview Gardens School district could tap into federal funding for the work on its 13 buildings, which had been included in the state budget approved by lawmakers in May.
But Parson vetoed the $13 million set aside for the work affecting 5,700 public school children in the cities of Riverview, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Moline Acres, Dellwood, Ferguson, Jennings and unincorporated parts of north ºüÀêÊÓƵ County.
“This is a local project with little minimal statewide impact,†Parson said. “Other funding mechanisms should be pursued in lieu of earmarked state funding for this project.â€
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The move, which enraged the local lawmaker who fought for the funding, was among more than $550 million in spending struck by the governor when he signed the $50 billion spending plan last month.
He also vetoed money for exterior fixes at the Affton School District in south ºüÀêÊÓƵ County, as well as funding for other educational projects, including a $46 million nursing facility at ºüÀêÊÓƵ Community College.
Those vetoes were criticized because they came when the state has a surplus of over $5 billion due to a robust, post-pandemic economy. But Parson has argued that a tax cut approved by the Republican-led General Assembly last year could begin cutting revenue to the state at the same time the economy begins to cool.
Revenue is the upcoming fiscal year is expected to be largely flat compared to this year.
Rep. Marlene Terry, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, said she will call on her colleagues to override the governor when lawmakers return to the Capitol in September.
“I’m very disappointed,†Terry said. “The kids are in need. This is something the school district needs.â€
Terry served on the Riverview school district board for nine years before she moved to the Missouri House in January 2021, representing one of five school districts in the state that is provisionally accredited.
Previously, the district was unaccredited, which triggered a state law allowing students to transfer to higher performing districts.
She said Riverview Gardens cannot afford to pay for the extensive repairs needed at its schools.
“Every child deserves a conducive learning environment,†Terry said. “I think it’s appalling especially because the governor speaks about the importance of education and children for our future. I hope that it’s overridden.â€
The money was expected to pay for water improvement projects, roofs and other building repairs.
In a statement to the Post-Dispatch, the district said it is grateful for the support of local officials who proposed the money.
“The proposed funding would have helped bridge the financing gap that RGSD faces due to a lack of corporate development in the area,†the district said. “Though RGSD is disappointed that the measure was vetoed, we are grateful for the immense community support.â€