The overarching theme of discussion in the Senate this week focused on the topic of education. Specifically, senators debated what is commonly referred to as the school transfer issue, a topic all too familiar to those in the St. Louis area.

The transfer issue is the result of a 1993 law that allows those students attending an unaccredited district to attend an accredited district in the same or an adjacent county, with the unaccredited district picking up the tab for both tuition and transportation of the transferring students.  A legal challenge was brought based on the law, which was upheld by the Missouri Supreme Court in June of last year.  Since that time, students attending the unaccredited districts in Normandy and Riverview Gardens transferred to accredited schools of their choice.

Over 20 bills were filed in both the House and Senate this session in an effort to address the situation.  Nine of those bills were filed in the Senate, including six versions of an identical bill drafted by six St. Louis area senators.  Those nine bills were heard in the Senate Education Committee over the past few weeks, sometimes leading to hearings that lasted several hours at a time.

The chairman of the Senate Education Committee drafted a committee substitute that incorporated aspects of all nine bills.  That substitute was voted out of committee late last week, thereby making it available for debate on the Senate floor this week. Debate began on Tuesday morning and lasted on and off through late Wednesday evening.  Discussion was broad and included debate on more than 20 amendments that were presented.

The final product is quite expansive, and thus I will only touch on the major points of the legislation.  First and foremost, the legislation does allow students attending unaccredited districts to transfer to accredited schools in the same or an adjacent county, but allows the receiving districts to establish a policy for desirable class size and student-teacher ratios, a new addition to the law.  Those districts will not be required to accept any students that would violate the policy set forth by the district. Many members of the Senate thought continuing to allow transfers was the best option because it ensures that students are given the opportunity to attend a successful school district and thus receive the education they deserve.

Second, the legislation allows students who live in an unaccredited district to attend a non-sectarian private school located within the district of residence, so long as the non-sectarian, private school meets certain standards set forth in the statute.  Tuition paid to such schools cannot exceed the lesser of the non-sectarian private school’s tuition or the non-resident tuition rate calculated for the student to attend another accredited school.

The legislation also creates regional education authorities in St. Louis City and county, Jackson County, and the rest of the state. Such authorities will consist of three members whose main responsibility is to coordinate transfers from unaccredited to accredited districts.  The bill also creates a fund to help with parent portals that allow parents to access educational information and student data using mobile technology. The measure also allows the State Board of Education to lapse a school district in instances where the board reasonably believes that a district is unlikely to provide for the entire school term due to financial constraints, a situation that those in the St. Louis area have witnessed with the Normandy School District as of late.

The bill was third read and voted on in the Senate Thursday morning.  It received the requisite number of votes for passage and thus will now move to the House of Representatives for similar consideration.  Click here to read the summary or full bill text.

I hope some of you had the opportunity to listen to the debate this week.  Senators did a very good job of respectfully debating the issue in an attempt to determine the best outcome for all children who find themselves attending an unaccredited district.  I was very proud that although there were many differences of opinion there was give and take to reach a compromise that most support.

Aside from our focus on education this week, Senate standing committees met to hear numerous pieces of legislation.  To read about any of those bills in detail, please visit the Senate website for a listing of daily actions taken.

Best wishes to you and your families for a great weekend. I look forward to sending another update next week.

Sincerely,

Senator John Lamping

24th Senatorial District