The Missouri Department of Education is concerned about a funding shortfall as the 2012 legislative session nears.

Department officials say the are looking forward to working with the legislature on addressing the problem.

To start, the state’s school foundation formula is the mechanism the state uses to distribute funds to public schools. It has gone underfunded in recent years, and Education Commissioner Chris NiCastro says this year’s outlook is no better.

She says the formula was never designed to be underfunded, and bills filed during the upcoming legislative session will seek to fix that. She says if the structure isn’t reformulated, there will be vast funding differences between districts.

NiCastro says the department anticipates working with legislators when they come into session January Fourth.

She says she understands the legislature has a tough job ahead is it will again struggle to balance the state budget. All funding streams are important for public schools, especially transportation. But superintendents throughout the state agree the focus should remain on the foundation formula.