COLUMBIA, Mo.—Seven superintendents representing mid-Missouri school districts on Friday called on Gov. Mike Parson to veto a massive education bill over a provision that would allow independent charter schools in Boone County. Ta.
Superintendents predicted that the law would not survive a court challenge and that the law is based on “rational grounds” (standards set by the Missouri Supreme Court for applying the law to particular communities). ), targeting Boone County is unacceptable.
“We urge you to avoid the costs of unnecessary division and potential litigation,” the superintendents said. “Support our public school districts and families in our communities by vetoing this bill,” Senate Bill 727.
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Supporters of the bill on Parson's desk, which he plans to take action on by Wednesday, were quick to react to the last-minute broadside.
A veto by Parson would destroy the 167-page package negotiated in the Senate. The plan includes priorities for school choice advocates and traditional public school advocates, such as expanding the MOScholars voucher program across the state and increasing minimum salaries for teachers to keep pace with inflation. I am.
“We fully expect Governor Parsonson to sign SB 727 and, in doing so, provide new options and opportunities for parents and children in Columbia,” said Senate President Caleb Roden, a Columbia Republican and Boone County's top sponsor. I'm excited to be born.” Charter expansion.
“Maybe it's their attempt to stop teacher pay increases and funding for public schools?” asked Gene Evans in a text message, a lobbyist for the American Federation for Children, which supports school choice. .
If the law is challenged, a court could decide to repeal it and sever it from other laws only if charter school expansion is deemed unconstitutional.
In response to questions about severability, Columbia Public Schools spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark said, “The specifics of several provisions in the bill address concerns voiced by many people across the state. “There is,” he said.
The superintendents mentioned represent school districts in Boone County and districts that span boundaries within the county: Columbia Public Schools, Hallsville School District, South Boone School District, Sturgeon School District, Harrisburg School District, Fayette School District, and North County School District. Callaway School District.
Rhoden said countless people have told him they are “fed up” with Columbia Public Schools since COVID-19.
Spokesman Jonathan Shifflett said Parson was still considering the bill Friday.
Superintendents say the charter expansion would drain resources from Boone County school districts.
The state gives money to charter schools operating in other parts of the state, including St. Louis and Kansas City. But the superintendents said the bill “requires Boone County school districts to absorb the full impact of funding for charter schools.”
“Our district has a very wide range of student populations and local incomes,” the superintendent said. “The opening of charter schools and the depletion of state and local funding from urban and rural areas will have a devastating impact on some of our continued operating capacities.”
The superintendents also noted that Boone County, with 184,043 residents, is Missouri's eighth most populous county, and that “targeting Boone County for more charter schools would be a challenge because of its large population and density.” It ignores and ignores other counties with higher rates.”
District leaders said the charter expansion “impacts a complex and arbitrary group of eight different school districts, ranging from 600 to 19,000 students in both urban and rural areas.” Stated.
State law currently allows charters in St. Louis, Kansas City, and uncertified or provisionally certified districts, the letter said.
“None of the eight school districts in Boone County have ever been unaccredited, provisionally accredited, or at risk of losing accreditation,” the letter said. There is.
The charter school provision is not the only controversial provision in this massive bill, with a bipartisan fiscal analysis projecting it to cost more than $450 million a year if fully implemented in 2031.
Another provision expands availability of the MOScholars voucher program statewide and eliminates geographic restrictions originally placed on the program in 2021 as a concession to local legislators. This program provides students with scholarships that can be used toward private school education.
This program receives no direct spending from the state. Individuals can receive a tax deduction when they donate to organizations that distribute scholarships.
Additional provisions call for expanding state support for preschool education, increasing the number of teacher recruitment and retention scholarships, and changing the way school aid is calculated so that school enrollment and attendance are factored into the funding formula. It is being
The bill also doubles annual grants to small schools from $15 million to $30 million, creates an Elementary Literacy Fund of no more than $5 million annually for elementary school home reading programs, and provides a five-day school week. It also provides for state bonus funding to be sent to school districts that maintain the system. .
Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quaid (D-Springfield), who is running for governor, said that while voucher expansion is “basically guaranteed,” “the promise to public schools is not a guarantee for the state or the future. “We're relying on additional funding that lawmakers don't expect.” No need to provide. ”
More than two dozen House Republicans broke with the party majority in voting to send the bill to Parson. It passed the House with the minimum required 82 votes, with three Democrats voting in favor.
This bill is Senate Bill 727.
The Missouri Legislature mirrors the federal structure in many ways.Video by Beth O'Malley
