Missouri Legislature Continuing Push For Open Enrollment Bill

The Missouri legislature is continuing its push for a bill that would allow public school students to transfer out of their home district.

The bill was able to narrowly pass out of the House during the last legislative session, but couldn’t get through the Senate.

Legislators haven’t given up on the bill, which would direct tax money towards the student’s school of choice.

Sen. Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester) and Rep. Brad Pollitt (R-Sedalia) have bills that would establish voluntary open enrollment.

Districts would not be required to accept nonresident students, nor would they be required to add staff.

School district would not be required to accept students requiring disability services.

Koenig’s bill would limit the number of students that can transfer from a district to 5 percent in the first two years, while Pollitt’s bill caps it at 4 percent for four years.

Crawford County R-1 Superintendent Dr. Kyle Gibbs warned school board members Feb. 16 about the legislation.

Last March, board vice president Jason Gobin described open enrollment as “bleak” for public schools.

Gobin’s comments came after attending a legislative forum with the Missouri School Boards Association.

Student enrollment at Crawford County R-1 has been trending down since 2020 and that affects state funding.

Another bill that could get through is sponsored by Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold). 

Coleman’s bill would give 100 percent of the state’s funding formula to the parent’s school of choice.

Homeschooled children would be eligible to receive all educational expenses as part of a tax credit.

Parents also could claim the state aid to use for a public or private school or parochial school.

Coleman’s bill would not allow resident districts to count those students for state and federal aid.

Four-Day Week

Gibbs also said the state could look at discontinuing four-day school weeks, which have gained popularity.

An amendment was introduced to a bill in the senate that would set the minimum at 174 days in a school year and remove language that allows for 142 days for districts with a four-day week.