Governor Parson delivers State of the State Address
Gov. Mike Parson formally addressed the legislature for the first time in his full term as the 57th governor of Missouri, outlining his priorities going into 2021. Despite a COVID-19 outbreak that required a change in his plans to address a joint session of the Missouri General Assembly, Gov. Parson laid out his policy priorities during the annual State of the State address. Instead of delivering his speech in the House Chamber, Parson was forced to break from tradition and speak in the Missouri Senate.
Parson touted the importance of education to Missouri during his address, announcing the consolidation of several programs and divisions into the new Office of Childhood.
“This new office will not only help streamline the operation of several state programs, but also allow us to place a bigger focus on early childhood development – a critical component to the future success of Missourians for generations to come,” he said. “In addition to early childhood, we will also continue to invest in K-12 education. It goes without saying that this past year has been especially hard on students, parents, teachers, and administrators.”
Governor proposes FY22 budget
As part of the State of the State address, the governor released his budget for the next fiscal year.
Parson is proposing a $34.1 billion operating budget. That is down about $1.1 billion from the current year, with the decrease caused by the end of federal support for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parson is asking for a $583 million increase in spending from the general revenue fund, which will begin the year with a healthy $1.1 billion surplus. That will allow the state to fully fund the school foundation formula with an increase of $8.5 million. This year the foundation formula had $123.4 million withheld which has not yet been released.
The governor did not request an increase for school transportation. Other increases proposed in the governor’s budget include:
- $1 million for School Innovative Waiver Program to improve student readiness and teacher recruitment and development
- $8.4 million for Early Childhood Special Education
- $4.3 million in federal funds to implement a comprehensive literacy program
- $2 million for Early Childhood Development, Education and Care Fund for parent education and developmental screenings
- $1.36 million to begin a phased approach to enhance school improvement efforts
The proposed budget now goes to the House where the legislative process will start, and more explanation will be given on all proposed new items.
In a meeting of the House Subcommittee on Appropriations-Education, chaired by Rep. Rusty Black, Commissioner Margie Vandeven presented the governor’s proposed budget and gave a brief update on public education during the pandemic, and answered questions regarding statewide testing. Dr. Vandeven reported that over 98 percent of Missouri districts are providing some form of on-site education for students, and thanked teachers and education professionals for their hard work over the last year. She stated that she believes that this is the right time to test, and while some students have thrived over the last year, there are many unknowns for the department regarding student performance. The commissioner said the data would be helpful to the department to determine online learning effectiveness and the effect of the digital divide in Missouri. The data, while not used for accountability purposes would enable the state to allocate resources to, and address issues due to the pandemic. MSTA remains opposed to testing during the pandemic, based on the MSTA Adopted Resolutions. A December survey conducted by MSTA of over 6,000 professional educators showed that nearly 94 percent of those responding were in favor of suspending standardized testing.
Governor Parson creates Office of Childhood
On Thursday, Gov. Mike Parson formally announced the creation of the Office of Childhood, which will consolidate most childhood programs across Missouri to one new office under the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Parson was joined by the directors of the Department of Social Services, Health & Senior Services and the Commissioner of Education Dr. Margie Vandeven in making the announcement.
The Office of Childhood will align state efforts around early childhood development, focusing on health, safety, and education. Parson stated that the current approach is fragmented across agencies and the new office will provide a streamlined approach for Missouri families. One focus mentioned at the press conference included promoting partnerships on state and local levels among various stakeholders.
SB55 placed on Senate Calendar
SCS/SB55 (O’Laughlin) was placed on the Senate Calendar where it could be brought up for consideration soon. MSTA opposes this legislation and will keep members up to date on all possible activity on this harmful legislation. To ensure you are immediately notified of MSTA Rapid Response activation, text MSTA to 52886 to get a text message and the ability to contact your State Senator directly from your personal cell phone.
SCS/SB55 has three major sections of concern for MSTA members. The bill creates a tax credit voucher program called empowerment scholarships which could cost the state $100 million in the first year. If the amount of tax credits claimed in the $100 million program exceeds 90 percent of the total amount available in any year, the cumulative amount will increase by 10 percent. In the current fiscal year, the state is withholding over $100 million from the foundation formula, and underfunding K-12 transportation more than $200 million from what is required under law. Education professionals believe that all students deserve equal access to a free public education. We believe that the continuation of our free nation and its strength and well-being depend on our free public schools and that public dollars should remain in public schools.
SB55 could expand charter schools to an additional 61 districts. This duplication of services further stretches and destabilizes public education while the country is trying to navigate through a global pandemic. The track record of Missouri charter schools show how expanded government programs without proper oversight can harm students and further stretch limited resources. Between 1999 and the 2017-2018 school year, 65 charter schools were established in Missouri. Twenty-five of those charter schools have closed due to academic performance or financial issues. Over $785 million taxpayer dollars have gone to Missouri charter schools that closed their doors. While the State Board of Education and public education advocates look for solutions to address the current teacher recruitment and retention problems, this legislation is a costly expansion of a system that further strains taxpayers’ ability to maintain quality schools, without the oversight of publicly elected and accountable school boards.
Also contained in SB55, is a massive, unchecked expansion to virtual learning under the umbrella of MOCAP. The MOCAP providers would receive a windfall from a new calculation for payment that would be equal to the average daily attendance rate for the student’s district of residence. These online providers would be considered their own attendance centers. Currently students receive approval from their resident district or charter school to enroll in the program. The bill eliminates that provision and replaces it with a requirement that DESE adopts a policy that outlines the process in which a student may enroll in the program. MSTA resolutions support distance-learning opportunities for students approved and supported by the local school district. Policymakers across the country are at the beginning stages of collecting data regarding the effectiveness of virtual learning, and this program should not be rapidly expanded in its second year without any data or accountability that parents and taxpayers across Missouri are demanding regarding online learning.
House Education Committee holds first meeting
The 20-member House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee began hearing bills this week, starting with two proposed voucher programs, as well as a bill filed by Chair Chuck Basye regarding the recording of IEP or 504 plan meetings.
The two tax credit voucher bills presented in committee HB349 (Christofanelli) and HB540 (Fitzwater) would operate in different ways, with both utilizing taxpayer dollars to pay for private education.
HB349 is similar to proposed voucher language in SB55. The bill creates the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program and specifies that any taxpayer may claim a tax credit, not to exceed 50 percent of the taxpayer’s state tax liability for any qualifying contribution to an educational assistance organization.
The tax credit program would have a cap of $50 million. Requirements would be in place for the new Educational Assistance Organizations under the supervision of the State Treasurer. MSTA testified in opposition. The MSTA Adopted Resolutions oppose both the diversion of funds currently used for the support of public education and legislation that would give tax credits for scholarships, tuition or vouchers to private schools or voucher plans that would divert public funds to pay for private school tuition.
HB540 (Fitzwater) would allow a contribution to the Show Me a Brighter Future Scholarship Fund enabling a tax credit equal to 100 percent of the total contribution. The cumulative amount of tax credits that may be allocated to all taxpayers contributing to the scholarship fund in the first year of the program could not exceed $25 million. If the amount of the tax credits claimed in the first tax year exceeds 90 percent of the tax credits available, the amount of tax credits available would increase by 10 percent in the subsequent year and are capped at $50 million. The State Treasurer would be responsible for adopting rules and procedures necessary to implement the program. This bill specifies that an eligible student is any student who is a member of a household whose total annual income does not exceed an amount equal to two times the income standard used to qualify for free and reduced price lunch, who has attended a public school in the preceding semester or is starting school in the state for the first time, is currently receiving the Scholarship Grant, is a dependent of an active duty military who relocates to Missouri, or who is starting school in Missouri for the first time and is a sibling of a student already enrolled in the program. The amount of scholarship grants awarded to eligible students shall be equal to the state adequacy target, and the amount of scholarship grants awarded to a special education eligible student shall be in an amount equal to the state adequacy target multiplied by 1.75. Scholarship funds in a qualified Tuition Savings Account shall only be used for payment of tuition at a qualifying school which includes private schools or any public school outside of the eligible student’s district of residence. The procedure for awarding scholarship grants is outlined with preference given to eligible students who qualify for free lunch at the lowest performing districts. MSTA testified in opposition.
Bill Summaries
Senate
Education
SB30 (Cierpiot) is substantially similar to HB540 (Fitzwater). See earlier story. MSTA testified in opposition.
SB33 (Arthur) establishes the Competency-Based Education Grant Program. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall award grants from the fund to eligible school districts for the purpose of providing competency-based education programs. The bill establishes the Competency-Based Education Task Force to study and develop competency-based education programs, hold public hearings and identify promising competency-based education programs and obstacles to implementing such programs. Before Dec. 1 of each year, the task force must present a report to the legislature and the State Board of Education.
SB34 (Arthur) establishes the Show Me Success Diploma Program as an alternative pathway to graduation for high school students. Students may earn the Show Me Success Diploma beginning at the end of a student’s tenth grade year. By July 1, 2022, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop detailed requirements for students to become eligible for the Show Me Success Diploma.
Students who earn this diploma may elect to remain in high school. Alternatively, a student having earned the diploma may instead enroll in a qualifying postsecondary educational institution. For each student enrolled in such an institution, an amount equal to 90 percent of the pupil’s proportionate share of the state, local, and federal aid that the district or charter school receives for such pupil, shall be deposited into an account that lists the pupil as the beneficiary.
House
Pensions
HB29 (Walsh) adds all public employee retirement systems and quasigovernmental entity employee salaries to the government accountability portal.
Elementary and Secondary Education
HB228 (Basye) prevents any public school district or charter schools from prohibiting a parent or guardian from audio recording any meeting held under the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or a Section 504 plan. Districts or charter schools may not require parents to provide more than 24 hours’ notice in order to record the meeting, and no school district employee who reports a violation under this section shall be subject to discharge, retaliation, or any other adverse employment action for reporting.