By MOFreePress
For residents of Eldon, Missouri, property taxes and state funding support the local public schools—but few taxpayers see a clear breakdown of how that money is spent.
Missouri Free Press reviewed publicly available payroll records and financial data from the Eldon R‑I School District to provide a clearer picture of how the district allocates the funds entrusted to it by the community.
Total District Spending
Recent financial data shows the district operates with roughly $23 million in annual expenditures and approximately $25 million in revenue. With nearly 2,000 students, that translates to about $11,591 spent per student, slightly below the Missouri statewide median of $13,908.
These funds support everything from classroom instruction and teacher salaries to transportation, building maintenance, and administrative operations.
How the District Spends Its Budget
Analysis of district financial data shows the largest portion of spending goes to instruction and staffing. Approximate budget distribution:
- Instruction (teachers & classroom expenses): ~60%
- Support services (student services, staff support): ~7%
- Administration (district and school administration): ~11%
- Operations and maintenance of buildings: ~10%
- Transportation: ~5%
- Other costs: ~7%
Instruction remains the largest category, reflecting teacher salaries and classroom-related expenses.
Payroll: Where the Majority of Funds Go
Payroll represents the single largest expenditure for the district. For the 2025–2026 school year:
- Total payroll: ~$14.4 million
- Total employees: ~327
Payroll breakdown:
| Category | Employees | Total Pay | % of Payroll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teachers | 147 | ~$7.7 million | ~54% |
| Other staff | ~180 | ~$6.6 million | ~46% |
Other staff positions include administrators, counselors, bus drivers, food service workers, maintenance staff, and secretaries. These employees keep schools operating day-to-day but are not classroom instructors.
Teacher Salaries
Teacher pay varies based on experience, education, and position:
- Lowest recorded salary: $16,543 (likely part-time or partial-year contract)
- Lowest full-time salary: ~$33,282
- Highest salary: ~$81,510
- Average salary: ~$52,600
Statewide, Missouri teachers typically earn between $51,000 and $55,000, putting Eldon roughly in line with the state average. Starting salaries are slightly lower than some districts, while experienced educators can earn competitive pay at the top of the scale.
Other Expenses
Beyond salaries, the district funds:
- Building utilities and maintenance
- School buses and transportation fuel
- Classroom supplies
- Technology and equipment
- Insurance and liability coverage
- Pension contributions to the Public School and Education Employee Retirement Systems of Missouri
Many of these costs fall under operations, transportation, and support services.
A Question for the Community
Teachers make up the largest portion of district spending. Are these salaries enough to attract and retain high-quality educators, and what would fair compensation look like for the community?
Methodology and Disclaimer
Missouri Free Press is not an accounting firm, and this article should not be interpreted as a formal audit. The figures presented were compiled using publicly available district records and budgets. Some variation may exist due to part-time employees, partial contracts, or stipends.
Our goal is transparency: giving taxpayers a clear picture of how public funds are distributed within the Eldon R‑I School District.