Legislative Advocacy

The 2024 Missouri General Assembly passed the large omnibus education bill, SB 727. The cost of this legislation is over $450 million additional dollars for public schools when fully implemented. We strongly support the legislature to fund each of the provisions in SB 727 and follow through on their commitment each year until the provisions of SB 727 are fully funded, and the foundation formula remains fully funded.

Strongly support the continued full funding of the transportation formula to provide school districts with the resources necessary to adequately provide transportation for our students.

Oppose any statewide mandate regarding Open Enrollment between school districts and expansion of charters. School districts should not be spending valuable resources trying to compete against each other, but instead, support and encourage the state to provide the necessary funding for all districts to provide all educational opportunities for the students they serve.

Oppose any legislation or proposals that would divert taxpayer dollars from public schools to non-public educational entities, not only including ESA vouchers, but any direct foundation formula
payments being given to students who attend non-public schools or home schools.

We support fair and equitable real property and personal property tax legislation or proposals. However, we oppose efforts to unfairly shift tax burdens from one taxing source to another or any major reduction in such tax revenues that would devastate educational opportunities for students that school districts provide. Support uniformity in all taxation as outlined in Article 10, Section 3 of the constitution.

Support local school district authority to make the decision about matters including, but not limited to, employee compensation and working conditions; class sizes; curriculum and instruction materials; virtual course access; professional development; employee evaluations; school calendar/year; and the health, wellbeing and safety of students. We support the continuation of non-partisan school board elections in April.

Support legislation that requires equal representation and the unanimous support of all taxing jurisdictions for any Economic Development Incentive Project (TIF, CH-100, CH-353, et al.) or
otherwise provide an opt-out provision.

Support the creation and development of a system of interventions and support that leads to improvements in achievement for provisionally accredited and unaccredited school districts.

Support the provision of a simple majority vote for the passage of local school district bond issues and support increasing the bonding capacity for school districts.

Support the ability to make an internal transfer of levy from debt service levy to operating property
tax levy with ballot language that states that the adjusted property tax levy stays the same.

Oppose any legislation or proposal that would expand charter schools statewide unless, and only if, a neutral party conducts a feasibility/sustainability study, and the locally elected school board is
the sole sponsor.

We recommend the governor’s task force for rewriting the foundation formula to be committed to having a formula that provides equitable and adequate state funding to every school district so that every student, no matter their zip code, can obtain academic success and achievement

Support increasing overall state funding, per pupil, in an effort to make Missouri rank in the top one-half (currently rank 47th) of all states in the country in support of K-12 education, including fully funding transportation.

Support local school district authority to make the decision about matters including, but not limited to, employee compensation and working conditions; class sizes; curriculum and instruction materials; virtual course access; professional development; program and employee evaluations; school calendar/year; and the health, wellbeing and safety of students.

Support a line-item appropriation of state funding for safety measures for local school districts to protect students from harm and/or violence.

Support legislation that requires equal representation and the unanimous support of all taxing jurisdictions for any Economic Development Incentive Project (TIF, CH-100, CH-353, et al.) or otherwise provide an opt-out provision.

Support maintaining the integrity of the current Foundation Formula, while increasing and providing appropriations for fully funding the foundation formula, transportation formula, summer school and early childhood education.

Support the creation and development of a system of interventions and support that leads to improvements in achievement for provisionally accredited and unaccredited school districts.

Support legislation stipulating the enactment of accurate and timely property tax assessment practices and the clarification of assessment terms and timelines to promote uniformity and fairness of property tax assessments. Support uniformity in taxation as outlined in Article 10, Section 3 of the constitution.

Support funding for professional development that provides both a comprehensive and sustainable approach to improving district personnel effectiveness toward raising student achievement.

Support the provision of a simple majority vote for the passage of local school district bond issues.

Support increasing the bonding capacity for school districts.

Support the ability to make an internal transfer of levy from debt service levy to operating property tax levy with ballot language that states that the adjusted property tax levy stays the same.

Support legislation that advances innovative instructional approaches in PK-12 public education such as competency-based education, alternative assessment practices, Real World Learning opportunities, and workforce credentialing.

Support workforce development and strongly support the recruitment and retention of public-school professional/certified and classified staff. We also recommend and support additional funding for increased teacher and support staff salaries.

Support and appreciate our local school boards for the time and dedication they provide to school districts. We support the continuation of non-partisan school board elections and continued April elections for school board members.

Support state funding for school districts that would provide resources to help counter the effects of homelessness, health issues, and other social services.

Oppose any legislation or proposals that would divert public monies or resources from the public schools to non-public educational entities.

Oppose legislation which reduces the benefits provided by the current state public school retirement systems (PSRS and PEERS).

Oppose legislation that would alter the basic governance structure of the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

Oppose any legislation or proposal that would expand charter schools statewide unless, and only if, a neutral party conducts a feasibility / sustainability study, and the locally elected school board is the sole sponsor.