HB 2900 expands Missouri's scholarship program to allow eligible students with disabilities or from low-income families to use state funds for private school tuition. It defines "qualified students" as those with IEPs/504 plans or from households earning under 300% of free lunch income, and requires participating schools (including private, charter, and virtual schools) to not discriminate based on protected characteristics. The bill ensures public schools retain state funding for students who leave for scholarship programs for up to five years. This maintains public school funding stability while expanding school choice options under specific eligibility criteria.
HB 2017 is a 2026-2027 fiscal year appropriations bill that allocates specific state funds for education-related projects. It authorizes $1.59 million for facility upgrades at Special Acres School for the Severely Disabled, $2.02 million for Autumn Hill State School renovations, $4.27 million for career-technical equipment in specific school districts, and additional funds for school safety training, vocational grants, and other education programs. The bill directs these funds through designated state revenue accounts to support existing projects previously authorized under prior bills. As a procedural appropriations measure, it does not create new policy but provides funding for designated educational facilities and programs during the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
SB 1040 would allow metropolitan school districts to seek voter approval for a 0.25% sales tax specifically to fund special educational services. The tax would be listed separately on receipts and require a majority "yes" vote in a general election. If approved, revenue would go into a dedicated trust fund, with 1% covering collection costs, and all funds must stay separate from state money. The tax cannot be imposed without voter consent and can only be used for special education programs within the district.
HB 1776 creates a state matching grant program to help Missouri school districts fund renovation projects. It provides state funds covering 60% of eligible project costs (with districts contributing 40%), targeting essential upgrades like roofing, HVAC, windows, and health/environmental improvements at school facilities. Eligible projects must maintain daily school operations, and funding prioritizes districts affected by disasters, experiencing rapid enrollment growth, or having lower property values per student. School districts apply annually, with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reviewing applications and awarding grants based on established criteria and available appropriations.
HB 2476 modifies Missouri's school funding rules by changing how student attendance is counted for state aid calculations and setting new financial requirements for school districts. It requires that suspended or expelled students remain counted in attendance for up to 180 days for accountability systems and weighted average daily attendance (WADA) calculations, while ensuring districts maintain accurate attendance records. School districts must now levy an operating tax of at least $1.25 per $100 property valuation (increasing to $2.75 for the 2006-07 school year and beyond) to qualify for full state aid, with exceptions for districts near nuclear power plants or large electric facilities. These changes directly affect all Missouri public school districts receiving state education funding.
HB 2078 requires Missouri school districts to adjust how they allocate funds for administrative staff and teachers. Starting in the 2027-28 school year, at least 88% of total compensation (salaries, wages, and benefits) must go to classroom teachers, increasing by 1% annually until reaching 95% by 2028-29 and beyond. The bill defines "teacher" as certified classroom educators and excludes non-classroom roles like coaches or advisors from this calculation. This directly affects all Missouri public school districts in their budgeting for staff compensation.
HB 2210 creates a state "Matching Grants for Teachers Plan Fund" to help school districts increase teacher salaries using their own reserve funds. School districts can withdraw money from their reserves for salary increases and receive state matching funds equal to that amount, up to $1 million annually per district. To qualify, districts must maintain at least $100,000 in reserves, cannot deplete reserves below state minimums, and must use existing interest earnings from school funds to supplement salary increases (not replace them). The bill ensures unspent fund balances do not revert to general revenue and requires districts to deposit interest into reserves.
HB 2242 provides state funding to help public school districts hire licensed school nurses and mental health professionals. School districts can apply for a state supplement covering up to the full salary (including experience) for one nurse or mental health professional per school, with preference given to schools with the greatest need - based on factors like student health ratios, free/reduced lunch eligibility, and Title I funding. Districts may also use the funds to reimburse telehealth services for remote access to these professionals, subject to parental consent. The bill creates dedicated state funds for these supplements, ensuring unspent money doesn’t revert to general revenue and must be used solely for this purpose.
HB 2625 requires Missouri school districts to levy a minimum local property tax ("operating levy") of at least $1.25 per $100 of assessed property value to receive full state education funding. Districts failing to meet this threshold will receive state aid capped at their 2005-06 funding level per student, unless they qualify for exceptions (e.g., districts near nuclear plants or large power facilities). The bill links state aid eligibility directly to this local tax requirement, with rates increasing to $1.50 after 2026. It applies to all public school districts in Missouri, excluding specific utility-adjacent districts that may use a higher $2.75 levy limit. The law aims to ensure districts contribute locally before receiving full state funding.
SB 1029 requires all public school districts to create and maintain a publicly accessible website showing every dollar they receive (from state/local funding, grants, etc.) and spend (on staff, supplies, operations, etc.). This directly affects school districts by mandating a new online financial transparency tool for parents, taxpayers, and community members. The key provision is a single, real-time digital record replacing current manual or fragmented reporting methods. The bill does not alter funding amounts or spending priorities, only the method of disclosing financial information.
