Jefferson City, Missouri – Following the strong storms that tore across Missouri on March 14, 2025, rehabilitation and restoration of the state’s educational infrastructure has been quick and targeted. Along with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Governor Mike Kehoe began an aggressive effort to help the over 21 school systems that suffered significantly from the weather events.
The storms, which occurred unexpectedly on a Friday night, caused significant damage to multiple school facilities. This includes extensive power outages and significant structural damage, leaving some educational institutions in appalling condition. The damage assessments exposed the seriousness of the matter; some schools could have to relocate staff members as well as students for long term.
Governor Kehoe underlined the need of fixing the damage even if he expressed his relief that the storms did not strike during school hours.
“While I am disheartened to see the damage that a number of Missouri schools faced from Friday night’s storm, I am incredibly grateful that these storms did not hit while school was in session,” said Governor Kehoe. “Now that the storms have passed and we are turning our attention to recovery, we must prioritize ensuring our children can safely return to school to continue their education and prevent any academic delays.”
The response plan calls for DESE closely working with the affected districts to properly handle the problem. Finding other learning environments where classes might safely and securely resume was one of the first things done. Plans are also being developed to offer students who might have to go farther than normal alternatives for transportation should their regular schools be temporarily closed.
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Commissioner Karla Eslinger of DESE has been instrumental in the recovery efforts, working from early Saturday morning following the storm to facilitate communication and expedite aid to the affected areas.
“We began working on this issue early Saturday morning and have been in close contact with Governor Kehoe since the very beginning,” said Commissioner Karla Eslinger. “Our top priority is ensuring students and educators can safely return to learning environments. I am speaking directly to impacted school leaders to ensure we’re making rapid progress to help schools recover. We appreciate Governor Kehoe’s leadership and support during these challenges.”
DESE has advised school systems to contact their particular Area Supervisor of Instruction to express their needs and request help in order to expedite the support process. This direct line of contact is meant to guarantee that resources are used wisely and that no district lags behind.
Moreover, in an effort to mitigate the financial strain on these districts, DESE is ensuring that they will not face financial penalties for the days lost due to storm damages under the state education foundation formula. This approach helps districts since they concentrate on rehabilitation instead of financial considerations.
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The cooperation among the state government, educational leaders, and local communities as Missouri heals from these unparalleled disasters is evidence of their resiliency and commitment to guarantee that education goes forward unhindered. Reiterating the state’s commitment to its young learners and their future, Governor Kehoe and DESE stay focused on the safe and quick return of students to their classrooms.
