SS/SB 199 - This act modifies provisions regarding adult high schools. Currently, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is required to authorize the operation of four adult high schools across the state. This act transfers such authority to the Department of Social Services. In addition, the Department of Social Services shall authorize a fifth adult high school to be located in a Jackson County or an adjacent county. The Department shall administer funding to the adult high schools, subject to appropriations. For the existing adult high schools, the Department shall maintain authorization for the nonprofit organizations to operate the high school, provided that no more than one organization may be authorized to operate an adult high school in each of the current four locations. An organization may establish satellite campuses for any adult high school it is authorized to operate.
By January 1, 2024, the Department shall select a Missouri-based nonprofit organization to operate the high school, provided the organization meets current law requirements and demonstrates the ability to commit at least $500,000, rather than $2 million, for the necessary infrastructure to establish the school. The act also provides that such organization must limit the administrative fee to no more than ten percent.
Finally, each nonprofit organization must submit an annual report to the Department of Social Services in addition to other entities as provided in current law.
This act is similar to provisions in SS/HB 447 (2023), HB 1183 (2023), and HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023).
OLIVIA SHANNON