MSTA opposes open enrollment bill
HB1814 (Pollitt) was heard in the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee in a snow shortened week for the General Assembly. This legislation would allow open enrollment of students in Missouri public schools. The legislation would dramatically change Missouri’s public school enrollment policies by allowing students in grades K-12 to attend a school in a nonresident district.
MSTA opposes HB1814. MSTA Adopted Resolutions support each local school district developing a written policy for transfer and assignment of students within a district and to any other school district.
The legislation creates a system allowing students to transfer school districts for any reason upon the approval and acceptance of the enrolling school. In the first two years of the program, districts would be allowed to limit the transfers to a maximum of five percent of the previous school year’s enrollment for the district. The bill further outlines the process for when students may enroll and how nonresident districts may determine their ability to accept students.
In states where open enrollment exists, including Iowa, there has been a trend toward consolidation of rural schools. The open enrollment program in this bill would create a costly arms race of have and have-not districts, further stressing districts with strained budgets and allowing wealthier districts to recruit students and the funds that follow them. During debate on the issue last session, the sponsor of the legislation admitted that school consolidation is a possible outcome from this new program.
HB1814 creates a parent public school choice fund which would reimburse parents for the costs of transportation of the student enrolled in a nonresident district and reimburse districts for certain special education costs. This fund would be created with a $60 million appropriation from the General Assembly to be used to further incentivize districts that enroll students residing outside their geographic boundaries.
Districts that participate in open enrollment may limit the number of students that they allow to transfer into the district by adopting a policy that outlines the standards for acceptance and rejection of transfer applications, including building capacity and class-size limitations. The program would begin in the 2023-2024 school year.
House Budget Committee Reviews DESE Proposed Budget
This week, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education presented the proposed FY23 budget to the House Budget Committee.
Commissioner Margie Vandeven started the presentation and emphasized that teachers are the number one school-level factor for student success. She told the committee that our current system is stressful, and recruitment and retention of teachers is a priority of the department and the State Board of Education.
The Governor has proposed $21.8 million to be used to raise teachers’ salaries to a minimum of $38,000. This would be a voluntary program where the state would reimburse districts for 70 percent of the cost difference between current salary and $38,000. Districts would provide the remaining 30 percent of the cost difference between current salary and $38,000. DESE estimates that there currently 8,500 full time teachers not making $38,000. A review of the MSTA Salary Survey shows that there are currently 440 school districts that do not have a starting salary of at least $38,000.
Upon questions from committee members, DESE officials agreed that this could lead to salary compression in many districts and would have teachers with more years of experience making the same salary as beginning teachers. While DESE officials agreed with this assessment, they also noted the need for a long-term solution for low teacher salaries.
Other items reviewed by the committee included the stagnant funding for the foundation formula, as the state adequacy target will remain at the current $6,375 per student. Transportation funding remains well below the statutory cap of 75% of allowable costs. To fully meet the 75 percent threshold, the state would have to provide $328 million. The state currently provides 49 percent of allowable costs with an appropriation amount of 96.4 million. To maintain the current 40 percent level, the state would need to increase the budget for school transportation by an additional $17.4 million.
Supplemental Budget awaiting action
The House Budget Committee is expected to move forward on a request by the Governor to increase the current year’s budget and allow school districts to receive available federal funds. This supplemental budget request includes $1.9 billion to go to local school districts. The federal government requires the state to allocate two-thirds of this money by March 24. Local districts must submit plans to be approved by DESE on the use of these federal funds. Currently, 94 percent of local school districts have approved plans on file with DESE.
Workforce Development bill presented in committee
The House Committee on Workforce Development heard an education bill this week that is intended to help students prepare for careers or post-secondary education.
HB2171 (Francis) requires students to develop an Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAP) which must be reviewed annually by school personnel and the student's parent or guardian. Currently the ICAP plans are optional. The ICAP must now include a declaration of a student's postsecondary plan.
This bill requires students in public and charter schools to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before being eligible for a certificate of graduation. Exemptions to this requirement include enlistment in the Armed Forces, or parental consent.
The bill requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to ensure that by the 2022-23 school year 50 percent of DESE area career centers have the means and capability to allow students to complete the application for aid. The percentage increases to 70 percent for the 2023-24 school year, 90 percent for the 2024-25 school year and by the 2025-26 school year (and thereafter) DESE will ensure that 100 percent of the area career centers will have the means and capability to allow students to complete the application.
DESE releases lactation model policy
Last session, the legislature passed HB432 which requires local school districts to adopt a written policy to provide accommodations to lactating employees, teachers and students to express breast milk, breast-feed a child or address other needs relating to breastfeeding. Districts must have a plan in place before July 1, 2022. The law requires each school building to contain suitable accommodation in the form of a room, other than a restroom, that may be locked for privacy for the exclusive use of women to express breast milk or breast feed a child. A sink with running water and a refrigerator for breast milk storage must also be provided as well as a work surface, a chair and conveniently placed electrical outlets. The bill also requires DESE to develop a model policy for school districts.
In January, DESE released their model policy language, which mostly mirrors the requirements outlined in state law. MSTA recommend the following items be included in any policy adopted by a local school district to ensure lactating employees are supported:
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Time allotted for breastfeeding should allow a minimum of 30 minutes per opportunity.
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Finding classroom coverage for lactating employees should not be the responsibility of the teacher.
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Districts should identify an administration liaison at each school. This would give employees a clear point of contact regarding proper accommodations and help maintain an open channel of communication between the district, building administration and breastfeeding employees.
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The nurse’s office should not be used as a designated lactation room. This commonly occurs and unnecessarily places the lactating employee in a situation where they are disrupted and interacting with sick students.
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Lactation accommodations are meant to be true accommodations. Employees should not be expected to extend their workday to offset time spent in the lactation room.
https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/sample-school-district-lactation-policy