During last week's Smithville R-II Board of Education meeting, school administrators talked about the possibility of cuts in the state's K-12 education funding.

Administrators seemed hopeful that the state wouldn't cut funding for what's known as the "foundation formula." That chunk of funding is largely based on student enrollment numbers and serves as funding for basic expenses.

However, administrators talked as though the state would likely cut some funding that flows into specific programs, such as busing, summer school, career ladder and Parents as Teachers.

Today, Wayne Krueger, the Smithville district's assistant superintendent for support services, directed me to the state education commissioner's thoughts on the topic: http://dese.mo.gov/news/2010/financial.htm

For details on how potential cuts could affect Smithville students and staff, look for my story in next week's paper.

- Nancy Hull Rigdon