Hailey
Recruiting and retaining new teachers in Missouri could become increasingly difficult as a result of recent decisions by Governor Mike Kehoe to trim education-related expenditures from the state’s 2025 fiscal budget.
The fiscal year begins Tuesday, shortly after the governor signed off on a $50.8 billion state budget—but not without issuing vetoes totaling more than $300 million.
Among the affected sectors is public education, with one notable cut being the elimination of $2.5 million in funding for the “Grow Your Own” teacher development program, an initiative designed to inspire and cultivate future educators from within local communities.
Grow Your Own Program Faces Uncertain Future
The Grow Your Own program has been instrumental in supporting high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in education.
One local example of this initiative in action is the Spark! Program at Parkway Schools, where students are given early exposure to the teaching profession.
According to Lindsey Perkins, a representative of Parkway Schools, the program allows students to discover their passion for teaching while still in school.
“When students come to apply, we can already tell they care deeply about working with youth and serving their community,” Perkins said.
While some of the funding for Spark! comes from local sources, the program has also depended heavily on state financial support.
Without the $2.5 million that was originally earmarked for Grow Your Own, the continuation of such programs could now be at risk.
Governor Kehoe Justifies Budget Reductions
In defending his decision, Governor Kehoe emphasized the need to balance fiscal responsibility with other urgent priorities.
“We remain strong advocates for education funding,” Kehoe said, “and have proudly supported tax relief for working Missouri families and provided critical resources for those impacted by natural disasters this spring. But these efforts carry financial implications.”
Kehoe’s administration further explained that the General Assembly had already included an additional $500 million in educational funding in the approved budget.
As a result, some of the programs affected by the vetoes could potentially be covered using those extra funds.
With over $300 million in vetoes, including cuts to promising teacher pipeline programs, Missouri schools could struggle to attract new talent.
Programs like Grow Your Own that aim to build future educators from within communities are particularly at risk.
While the state’s overall education funding has increased, how those funds are allocated will be crucial to the future of teacher recruitment and retention in Missouri.