Senate Advances Bill Helping Failing School Districts

Jefferson City – A measure to help students trapped in a failing school district was given final passage by a 33-1 vote in the Missouri Senate yesterday, April 19. Senate Bill 677, sponsored by Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, cuts the waiting period between declaring a school district unaccredited and the Missouri State Board of Education taking over governance of the district.

“When a school district loses accreditation, it can have a major impact on those students’ futures,” said Sen. Pearce. This legislation gives the Missouri State Board of Education the opportunity to step in so we can offer our children an education that will lead to a brighter future.”

When a school district fails to meet the standards to become accredited, provisions in the bill allow the Missouri State Board of Education to appoint a replacement board for the district. By removing the two-year waiting period, there can be a quicker transition in beginning the process of regaining the district’s accreditation. The measure also gives power to the state board to set a specific length of time to reach improvement or be recertified as unaccredited, keeping the district under the board’s supervision.

Pearce said, “We have seen in the Kansas City School District how the continued change in leadership prevents the district from correcting the problems in the classroom. If a failing school district is to move forward, there must be continuity in the board and its policies.”

There is also a provision in the bill to repeal the requirement that unaccredited or provisionally accredited districts must develop a plan to divide up the district should accreditation not be recovered within three years.

“Our children should not have to sacrifice their educational opportunities because a school district cannot meet the standards set for our classrooms,” said Senate Leader Robert Mayer, R-Dexter. “Every student in Missouri should have the access to a world-class education, and this is one reform the Senate is working on to make sure that happens.”

SB 677 is part of the Senate’s broader discussion this session on needed reforms to the state’s education system. Those measures include ensuring funding and resources are available for school districts.

The bill now moves to the House for its consideration and contains an emergency clause, taking effect immediately upon the governor’s signature. To learn more about this bill and other education bills or to track its progress, visit www.senate.mo.gov.