Missouri Braces for Major Education Changes with New Charter School Legislation

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Missouri's education system is set for significant changes as House Bill 2287 and Senate Bill 727 officially come into effect this Wednesday. Among the key provisions outlined in the new legislation is the expansion of charter schools into Boone County, a move that has sparked intense debate among local lawmakers, educators, and parents.

Impact on Columbia Public Schools

Senate Bill 727 allows charter schools to operate in Boone County, a development that could notably affect Columbia Public Schools (CPS). Representative David Tyson Smith, D-Columbia, has been vocal about his concerns regarding the impact of this bill on the district. "It's going to devastate Columbia Public Schools," Tyson Smith stated. He added that the bill could lead to a significant decrease in public school enrollment as students transfer to charter schools. "Charter schools get to pick who they want in and who they don't. So, a lot of students are going to get left behind," he said.

According to Tyson Smith, these changes could cost Columbia Public Schools up to $15 million in funding as state and local dollars follow students who switch to charter schools. He plans to introduce new legislation in the next session to protect Columbia from new charter schools.

Concerns Over Funding and Access

Columbia School Board President Suzette Waters highlighted that Boone County charter schools would receive a unique blend of both state and local funding, unlike charter schools in other Missouri areas, such as Kansas City or St. Louis, which only receive state funding. "Every other charter in the state only gets state funding, but in Boone County charter schools also get local funding," Waters explained. "There's not going to be any more money; it's just going to be divided between two systems."

Waters and other CPS officials are concerned that splitting funding between traditional public schools and charter schools could strain resources. She emphasized that CPS takes pride in providing education for students of all abilities and backgrounds, noting that recent testing showed growth across all core subjects.

Advocates for Charter Schools Stress the Need for Options

Advocates of the new charter school legislation, including Representative Cheri Toalson Reisch, R-Hallsville, argue that charter schools will provide parents with more choices, especially in a district where she claims "these children are failing." Toalson Reisch believes that charter schools could offer alternatives to parents dissatisfied with current public school options. "One size does not fit all," she stated, emphasizing the need to "give them a hand up."

Toalson Reisch is working closely with the Missouri Charter School Association to establish charter schools in Boone County in the coming years. She expressed her commitment to ensuring that "Columbia has the best education these kids can get."

Looking Ahead

As both sides of the debate continue to advocate for their perspectives, the future of Boone County's education landscape remains uncertain. Charter school advocates see the new legislation as a step toward greater educational freedom and options for parents and students. Meanwhile, public school officials and some lawmakers like Tyson Smith remain wary, fearing the potential negative impact on public school funding and student equity.

The coming months and years will likely see more debates and discussions on how to balance educational choice with maintaining strong public school systems in Missouri.