Missouri school administrators see significant growth despite declining enrollment

A new report from the Show-Me Institute reveals that Missouri public school personnel numbers have grown significantly despite a decline in student enrollment. Between 2000 and 2025, statewide student enrollment dropped by 4.1%, yet full-time equivalent teacher positions increased by 12.8% and administrator positions rose by 34.9%.

Senior Policy Analyst Avery Frank noted that the expansion of the workforce has coincided with a decline in teacher and administrator salaries. The report suggests that if staffing levels had remained constant since 2000, teachers could have received an average raise of $10,000. Potential drivers for this administrative growth include increased regulatory compliance and the expansion of nonacademic student support services.

While some have questioned if the rise in administrators is linked to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, the report indicates that administrative growth was already well underway before DEI became a widespread institutional framework in the mid-to-late 2010s. The trend affects approximately 85% of school districts across urban, suburban, and rural areas in the state.