JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives Jon Patterson has announced the appointments of Representatives Marlene Terry (D-St. Louis) and Ed Lewis (R-Moberly) to the newly established Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force. Their appointments come as part of Executive Order 25-14, issued by Governor Mike Kehoe, to review and modernize Missouri’s K-12 education funding model.
The task force, created to ensure that Missouri’s education funding is sustainable, equitable, and effective, will conduct a comprehensive review of the current funding formula. The goal is to develop recommendations that enhance educational opportunities for all Missouri students, regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status.
“Ensuring every Missouri student has access to a high-quality education is a priority we all share,” said Speaker Patterson. “Representatives Terry and Lewis bring valuable experience and a deep understanding of education policy. I am confident they will contribute thoughtful insights to the task force as we work toward a modern and fair funding model that better serves our students, educators, and communities.”
Representative Ed Lewis, chairman of the House Committee on Education and a former educator of 32 years, brings firsthand knowledge of Missouri’s school funding challenges. Representative Marlene Terry, the first African-American elected to the Riverview Gardens School Board in 1999, where she served for eight years, is strong advocate for public education and equity in school funding.
The Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force is charged with evaluating the existing K-12 funding structure and proposing updates to align with contemporary educational needs, economic realities, and demographic shifts. The task force will submit its final report, including recommendations for a revised funding model, to the Governor by December 1, 2026.
Representative Jon Patterson, a Republican, represents District 30, which includes parts of Lee’s Summit. He was elected to his first two-year term in November of 2018. Rep. Patterson currently serves as Speaker of the House and is committed to making life safer, better, and more affordable for Missouri families. For more information, please contact Rep. Patterson’s office at 573- 751-0907 or via email at Jonathan.Patterson@House.Mo.Gov.