Workshops

School Finance Workshops

MOASBO and MASA have developed a series of workshops to provide school finance training for school administrators and others responsible for district finances. 

July 28, 2026: Setting the Tax Rate (Includes Lunch) - Completed
Location: Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake of the Ozarks or Live Stream 
Room Location: TBD
Time: 11:30 AM (immediately following the DESE Conference)
Cost: $60

Description: This workshop will focus on the process of setting the tax rate for a school district.  This session will walk participants through the process of completing the State Auditor forms, as well as discuss how to plan, advertise and conduct a tax rate hearing.  Sample documents will be provided to all participants.  

November 3 or November 4, 2026: Evaluating the Budget (Includes Lunch)  - Register
Location: Gary D. Sharpe Education Center in Jefferson City or Live Stream
Time: 11:30 AM
Cost: $60

Description: This workshop will assist school administrators in identifying areas of budget concern and will provide an opportunity for general discussion about budgeting and other school finance topics. The session will also include a discussion of current and future formula funding issues as well as advice on how to identify potential problems in a district budget. 

March 9 or March 10, 2027: Developing the FY28 Budget (Includes Lunch) - Register
Location: Gary D. Sharpe Education Center in Jefferson City or Live Stream
Time: 11:30 AM
Cost: $60

Description: This workshop will provide assistance to school administrators as they begin the process of developing a budget for 2027-2028.

This six-part series will dive deep into the essential components of what is required to be included in your district budget. Participants will gain practical resources and expert guidance to develop financial plans that reflect district priorities, accurately project revenues and expenditures, and maintain healthy fund balances.

Choose the Learning Option That Works Best for You

Participants may choose to complete the full series in person during a one-day program or virtually through six individual webinars offered throughout the academic year. Please select the participation option that works best for you when registering.

Option 1: In-Person Program

Join us on Tuesday, February 9, 2027, for the complete six-part program in one day. All six sessions will be presented in person, and lunch will be provided.

Option 2: Virtual Webinar Series

Prefer to learn throughout the year? Grab your lunch and join us online! The six-part webinar series will be offered during the lunch hour from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CT on the following dates:

• October 28 – Amending Your Current Year Budget
• December 16 – Planning the Budget and the State Requirements
• January 20 – Projecting and Budgeting Revenues
• February 17 – Projecting and Budgeting Expenditures
• March 10 – Creating the Budget Summary and Writing the Budget Message
• April 14 – Presenting Your Budget to the Board and Community

Participants registering for the full program should select either the in-person program or the six-part virtual webinar series.

Registration Fees

Full Program – In Person or Virtual Series

• Members: $300
• Non-Members: $450

Individual Virtual Webinars

• Members & Non-Members: $75 per session

Strategic Budget Reduction: Leading Through Missouri’s Emerging Fiscal Challenges

Description:

Missouri school districts are facing a convergence of fiscal pressures unlike any in recent years. Statewide revenue uncertainty, legislative challenges to property value growth, leading to slowing local valuation increases are creating flat—or even declining—revenue projections for many districts. At the same time, districts are contending with rising expenditures driven by persistent teacher shortages, escalating benefit costs, and increased fuel and supply prices. Without proactive planning, these forces will place significant strain on fund balances and long‑term financial stability.

This session will provide a clear, accessible overview of the financial challenges currently impacting Missouri districts and the implications for future budget planning. Participants will hear from district leaders who have navigated difficult budget reduction processes and successfully used community engagement to build understanding, trust, and shared ownership of tough decisions. Presenters will also address sensitive topics such as declining enrollment, strategic staffing reductions, and program realignment — with a focus on protecting educational quality and maintaining a student‑centered approach.

Attendees will leave with practical strategies, leadership insights, and real‑world examples to support a thoughtful, transparent, and strategic approach to budget reductions in their own districts.

Objectives:

1. Review the key revenue and expenditure pressures impacting Missouri school districts and identify how these trends affect long‑term financial stability and fund balance projections.
2. Learn strategies used by district leaders to engage staff, boards, and community stakeholders in a transparent and collaborative budget reduction process.
3. Learn practical approaches for addressing declining enrollment and design strategic staffing or program adjustments that protect instructional quality and student outcomes.

Sessions:

1. Overview of revenue and expenditure pressures impacting Missouri school districts  (Patty and Geoff)
2. Session on community engagement for the budget reduction process (Dr. Schneider and Carrie Nunn - Parkway)
3. Session on community engagement on tough enrollment/attendance center decisions (Dr. Emily Miller and Doug Schwinn)
4. Session on strategic reduction in staffing without negatively impacting student outcomes (Amy Joyce and Chris Norman)

Cost: $200 per participant for member and $250 non-member

 

About the Academy - Program Registration Is Filled

This academy is highly encouraged for:

• First-year superintendents
• New Assistant superintendents
• New central office administrators
• New School leaders responsible for budgeting, operations, and financial oversight

Through a combination of in-person sessions, virtual cohort meetings, and conference-based learning opportunities, participants will gain practical, real-world knowledge needed to confidently navigate Missouri school finance systems and requirements.

What You Will Learn

Participants will:

• Develop an understanding of Missouri’s fund accounting system and account coding
• Explore budget development and year-round financial planning
• Learn how district revenues impact operations and decision-making
• Understand financial reporting and compliance requirements
• Monitor cash flow and fund balances effectively
• Gain tools and strategies they can immediately apply in their districts

 

Sessions will be facilitated by experienced Missouri school finance leaders and practitioners, including:

• Patty Bedborough
• Jim Cummins
• Paul Northington
• Current MASA and MoASBO members with expertise in school finance

 

2026–2027 Academy Schedule

•  July 22, 2026 — In-Person| Jefferson City | 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. - Completed
• September 15, 2026 — In-Person | Jefferson City | 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. 
• October 28, 2026 — Virtual | 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.
• November 3, 2026 — In-Person | Jefferson City | 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. 
• December 9, 2026 — Virtual | 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.
• January 13, 2027 — Virtual | 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.
• February 10, 2027 — Virtual | 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.
• March 9, 2027 —  In-Person | Jefferson City | 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. 
• March 17, 2027 — In-Person | MASA Spring Conference Pre-Conference |      Margaritaville, Osage Beach
• April 25, 2027 — In-Person | MoASBO Spring Conference Pre-Conference |      Margaritaville, Osage Beach
• May 12, 2027 — Virtal | 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.

All academy resources and recorded sessions will also be made available to participants throughout the year.

Registration & Cost

The Academy is provided at no cost to members thanks to the collaborative support of MCSA, MASA, and MoASBO. Each in-person session includes all of your materials and lunch.