MSTA Action Member Brief - Feb. 2, 2026

This is MSTA Action Member Brief, a members-only preview of what we're watching and working on at the Capitol. As we head into the week, there's a lot happening across education and education policy, and we're keeping a close eye on several meetings and hearings that could have long-term implications. On Monday, the Public School and Education Employee Retirement Systems, PSRS/PEERS, will be meeting in Jefferson City for a regularly scheduled board meeting. On the agenda is an investment report, along with a discussion around the timing of the 2026  experience study. That study is especially important because it drives the assumptions the system's actuary uses when making recommendations to the board. These assumptions ultimately impact contribution rates and the overall financial health of the system.

Also, on Monday, there are a couple of legislative hearings focused on surveys that are sent out to public school students. Tuesday morning brings two major items. First, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, DESE, will present its budget to the House Budget Committee. This marks the first step in the budget process for the upcoming fiscal year, setting the stage for funding priorities and policy, decisions that will be debated over the coming months.

Also, Tuesday morning, the Senate Education Committee is scheduled to hear two open enrollment bills, Senate Bill nine zero six and Senate Bill nine seventy-one. These bills were originally set to be heard last week but were postponed and are now back on the agenda. MSTA has opposed these harmful bills in previous sessions.

On Wednesday at noon, the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee will take up several bills, including two related to anti-bullying legislation, House Bill sixteen ninety-eight and House Bill twenty-one twenty, as well as a bill addressing technology use in elementary schools, House Bill twenty-two thirty. Finally, we're also monitoring whether the Senate takes action on gubernatorial appointments. One of Governor Kehoe's appointments to the State Boards of Education is still awaiting confirmation, and any movement there could have implications. for education policy moving forward. Thanks for standing with

MSTA as we advocate for and empower public educators so they can teach. Be sure to read MSTA Action this Friday for a full recap of the week.