(The Center Square) – Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed two education bills into law on Tuesday, including an omnibus bill that narrowly passed out of the Missouri House and was opposed by multiple education groups.
Senate Bill 727, a 167-page bill, passed by an 82-69 vote in late April, one more than the constitutional requirement. The bill’s fiscal note estimated the cost of the bill will be up to $107 million next year and $467 million when fully implemented in 2031.
The bill expands tax credits for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship program from $50 million to $75 million, adds charter schools to Boone County, and incentivizes public school districts with five-day school weeks. The law now states any student who is a state resident can qualify for the scholarship program where previously the program was limited to charter counties or cities with a population of 30,000 or more.
To qualify for the voucher program, a student must not be unlawfully present in the U.S. or have gained illegal entry into the country. The law increases the household income threshold for qualifying for the program from 200% above the benchmark for free or reduced-price lunches, or $115,440 before taxes for a family of four, to 300%, or approximately $173,000.
The bill doubles the amount of funds for grants to small schools from $15 million to $30 million.
House Bill 2287 increases course access and virtual school programs. It also exempts specified school districts from state law requiring an election to adopt a four-day school week.
Democrats weren’t unified against the bills but remain committed to improving education.
“I really saw this bill as a moving of public money to private institutions,” House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, and a candidate for her party’s nomination for governor, said the day the bills were passed. “I can tell you everyone in our caucus wants to have robust discussions around education reform.”
The Senate bill mandates an increase in the minimum teacher’s salary from $25,000 to $40,000. Teachers with a master’s degree and at least 10 years of experience will see minimum salaries increase from $33,000 to $46,000 for the 2025-26 school year and increase by $1,000 annually until reaching $48,000 in 2027-28. All Missouri teacher salaries will increase the amount of the January Consumer Price Index with an annual cap of 3%.
“I have and always will support Missouri teachers,” Parson said in a statement announcing the signings. “Since the beginning of our administration, we’ve looked at ways to increase teacher pay and reward our educators for the hard work they do, and this legislation helps us continue that progress.”
The Senate legislation provides up to 100% of tuition costs related to teacher preparation at a four-year college or university in Missouri, but students must agree to teach in a state’s hard-to-staff public school or teach at least one hard-to-staff subject. It also alters rules for working after retirement for members of the Public School Retirement System.
“We ask a lot of our educators when it comes to teaching and caring for our children,” Parson said. “Together, this legislation supports Missouri students, teachers, and families with more educational opportunities to succeed – including additional investments in pre-k – while ensuring our teachers earn a better wage.”
