We believe transparency builds trust. This webpage is designed to help our community better understand how district funds are managed, where dollars are spent, and how financial decisions support student success. While our full budget document provides detailed data, the information here offers clear explanations of key topics, like school bonds, operating funds, and tax rates, so you can see how your investment in our schools makes a lasting difference.
Funding & Expenses at a Glance
To better understand how the district manages its resources, it helps to look at where our funding comes from and how it is spent.
Revenue
The district’s revenue comes from several different sources, including local, state, and federal levels. Local revenue primarily comes from property taxes, which support both day-to-day operations and long-term facility improvements. State funding for school districts is determined through the Foundation Formula, which considers factors such as average daily attendance, the state adequacy target, and student demographics, among other elements. Federal funds often support specific initiatives such as special education, nutrition programs, and other targeted grants. The chart below shows the breakdown of these funding sources.
It’s important to note that in Missouri, public schools rely much more heavily on local funding than state funding. Local sources (primarily property taxes) account for the majority of school budgets, typically around 55% to 58%. Conversely, state contributions make up roughly 28% to 30%, which ranks Missouri 49th in the nation for the state-share of education funding. (Source: Missouri State Auditor Trends Report).
Expenses
As a service-centered organization, salaries and benefits make up the largest portion, reflecting our commitment to supporting staff who directly impact student learning. Other key areas include purchased services, classroom supplies and equipment, etc. The chart below provides a visual breakdown of how the district allocates its funds across these important areas, offering a transparent look at where your tax dollars are spent.
Funds, Taxes, & How They Work
Looking at revenue and expenses gives a big-picture view of how the district manages its money, but Missouri school budgets are further organized into specific funds, each with a distinct purpose. Two of the most important and commonly discussed funds are Fund 1 (Operating Fund) and Fund 3 (Debt Service Fund). Understanding these funds helps explain how the district balances day-to-day operations with long-term investments in school facilities.
Fund 1 – Operating Fund
The Operating Fund (Fund 1) is used for the district’s day-to-day expenses, the things that keep our schools running smoothly. This includes salaries and benefits for teachers and staff, classroom supplies, utilities, transportation, and routine maintenance. Simply put, Fund 1 covers the ongoing costs of educating students and operating our schools.
Fund 3 – Debt Service Fund
The Debt Service Fund (Fund 3) is completely separate from the operating budget. It’s used only to repay bonds that voters have approved for major facility projects, such as new buildings, renovations, or safety improvements. Money in this fund cannot be used for salaries or classroom expenses. It ensures that long-term facility investments are paid for responsibly over time.
How our Tax Rate is Determined
The Clinton School District’s local tax revenue comes from the tax rate set by the district’s Board of Education. This tax is applied to the total value of all property in the district, as assessed by the Henry County Assessor.
Think of the district’s tax rate as two buckets: one for day-to-day operations (Fund 1) and one for long-term facility investments (Fund 3). Together, these buckets combine to form the total tax rate, ensuring that taxes are allocated responsibly, supporting both the education of students today and the improvement of school facilities for generations to come.
For the 2025–26 school year, the Clinton School District’s tax rate was $3.0236 for the Operating Fund (Fund 1) and $0.8096 for the Debt Service Fund (Fund 3), combining for a total local tax rate of $3.8332.
Our Tax Rate in Context
Looking at our tax rate over time and in comparison with other schools helps provide context for how the district manages resources responsibly. This perspective allows one to see trends, understand decisions, and put our tax rate into a broader context.
How Our Tax Rate Compares Over Time
Over the past 10 years, the Clinton School District’s total tax rate has decreased by more than 12%, reflecting careful financial management and responsible planning. The chart below illustrates the trend in the total tax rate, showing how the district has balanced investments in both day-to-day operations and long-term facility improvements while keeping the tax burden lower for our community.
The Clinton School District’s 2025 tax rate has decreased by more than 12% over the past decade.
How our Tax Rate Compares to Other Schools
It’s helpful to see how our tax rate compares to other districts in our area. Clinton School District ranks near the middle of Henry County's 12 schools, placing 7th. When compared to all schools in our athletic conference, we have the lowest tax rate by more than 75 cents.
School Bonds Explained
School bonds are low-cost, long-term investments in our schools’ buildings, classrooms, and facilities.
Unlike credit card debt, which has high interest rates and short repayment timelines, school bonds are carefully planned, regulated, and paid off over many years. And unlike credit card debt, school bonds are thoughtfully planned, voter-approved, and structured so the cost is shared fairly over time, supporting schools today and in the future.
Think of it like taking out a mortgage to build or improve a home. You borrow money to make a durable investment, not to fund everyday expenses. Similarly, these bonds allow the district to renovate aging buildings, add classrooms, and ensure safe, modern learning environments, without taking money away from teacher salaries, school programs, or student resources.
In short, these bonds are investments in our community’s future, not reckless debt. They help provide schools that serve generations of students while maintaining a strong, responsible financial plan.