Governor Mike Parson (Photo courtesy of Governor's Twitter page)
Gov. Mike Parson signed a pair of education bills. Senate Bill 727 is sponsored by Sen. Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester) and House Bill 2287 is sponsored by Rep. Phil Cristofanelli (R-St. Louis). Peters.
The bill would raise base salaries for teachers to $40,000 a year, limit school weeks to four days, provide small incentives to school districts that offer five-day school weeks, increase support for early childhood programs, and The bill aims to strengthen funding for small schools.
These also include other provisions such as:
- Increase salaries for teachers with a master's degree and at least 10 years of experience to at least $48,000 per year by 2027.
- Increases salaries for all Missouri teachers by up to 3% per year by the January Consumer Price Index report.
- Increases funding limits and expands access to Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts.
- Encourages school districts in municipalities with more than 30,000 residents to offer a five-day school week.
- Established the Elementary School Literacy Fund.
- Increases the small school grant program from $15 million to $30 million annually.
- Protects retirement benefits for educators who continue to teach after retirement.
- Establishes a state scholarship program for teacher recruitment and retention.
One bill would also require the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop an online teacher preparation program for teacher certification.
“I have and will continue to support Missouri's teachers. Since taking office, we have looked at ways to increase teacher pay and reward the hard work of educators, and this bill will help continue that progress,” Governor Parson said. “We are asking more educators about how they teach and care for our children. Together, this legislation will help Missouri students, teachers, and families get more education, including additional investments in preschool. We will help them succeed through access to educational opportunities and ensure better pay for teachers.”
SB 727 would also allow Boone County to open charter schools.
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