Roughly 43 states allow open enrollment in public schools and some state lawmakers want Missouri to be the next. The state House of Representatives has given initial approval to a bill that would let K-12 public schools decide if they want students from neighboring districts to enroll in their district.
Rep. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia, is sponsoring the bill for the fifth year. Pollitt is a former superintendent.
“Open enrollment keeps the 850,000 public school students in the public school system, being taught by public school teachers, paying into the public school retirement system,” he said during debate Monday on the legislation.
Under his bill, participating districts would not be required to add teachers, staff, or classrooms to accommodate transfer students.
Rep. Pattie Mansur, D-Kansas City, stands with the 200 Missouri superintendents and school boards she said oppose the bill.
“You know, just because you lose a few kids, you don’t eliminate a teacher. That’s not enough to remove a teacher. What you do eliminate or cut back on are school programs,” she said.
Rep. Jeff Knight, R-Lebanon, supports the proposal that would let districts restrict the number of outgoing transfer students to 3% of enrollment.
“If you are doing your job, would students want to leave your district? If more than 3% of your students are wanting to leave every year, shouldn’t you address the problem,” he asked.
Rep. Kem Smith, D-Florissant, a longtime teacher, said open enrollment would not improve school quality.
“Open enrollment creates winners and losers,” she said. “I know that this body is looking for a way to improve education, to hold schools more accountable. Open enrollment is not the answer.”
House Bill 711 would create a fund to reimburse for special needs education. It would also prevent high school students who open enroll from participating in varsity sports during the first year.
One more House vote of support would send the plan to the Senate for more debate.
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