Missouri’s elementary and secondary public schools would get a record level of state dollars — $6.1 billion — under Gov. Eric Greitens’ budget, but his proposal still wouldn’t be enough to meet funding levels required by state law.

Greitens was quick to point out on the first page of his budget proposal this week that he recommended adding $87.5 million for K-12 education. Of that amount, $50.5 million would go into the state’s funding formula for public schools.

“We have to be pleased that we’re seeing some increase in the formula,” said Brent Ghan, deputy executive director of the Missouri School Boards’ Association. “That’s going to be helpful to a lot of school districts around the state in a time when there are some other demands on the state budget.”