HCS HB 807 & 690 -- OPEN ENROLLMENT

SPONSOR:  Muschany (Baker, 123)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Student Achievement by a vote of 7 to 1.

Beginning in the 2008-2009 school year, this substitute allows
open enrollment of students in fully accredited school districts
within 30 miles of their home district.  School districts must
have a policy to define class size for open enrollment purposes,
using the state minimum teacher-pupil ratio.  When there are not
enough seats open, the host district must have a process that
ensures equal chances of admission, but preferences for siblings
of children who already attend are permitted.  Open enrollment
students will be calculated at the per-pupil amount of the home
or host district for state school aid, whichever is higher.  The
parent or guardian of the student is responsible for the
transportation to the school.  The substitute also contains
provisions regarding sports participation, assessments, and
intradistrict open enrollment.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that other states are successfully
using open enrollment.  Giving students a choice is important.

Testifying for HB 807 were Representative Cunningham (86);
Children's Education Alliance of Missouri; Wendi Daniels; Angie
Van Dyke; Gloria Burton; Missouri Charter Public School
Association; and Alan J. Kerr.  Testifying for HB 690 were
Representatives Baker (123) and Cunningham (86); Dr. Steve
Cookson; Hardy Billington; Missouri Charter Public School
Association; and Veronica O'Brien.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bills say that the details of
student funding, test scores, and athletic participation
complicate open enrollment in Missouri.

Testifying against HB 807 were Roy Moss; Tim Thompson; Missouri
Council of School Administrators; Steve McDannold, Missouri
Council of Administrators of Special Education; Missouri School
Boards' Association; Cooperating School Districts of Greater
Kansas City; Missouri National Education Association; Missouri
State Teachers Association; Kansas City Missouri School District;
St. Louis Public Schools; and Cooperating School Districts of
Greater St. Louis.  Testifying against HB 690 were Dr. Phyllis
Chase, Columbia School District and School Administrators
Coalition; Cooperating School Districts of Greater St. Louis; Jim
Velten, Missouri State High School Activities Association; J. C.
Headley; Brian Blankenship, Missouri Association of School
Business Officials; Steve McDannold, Missouri Council of
Administrators of Special Education; Missouri State Teachers
Association; Sid Dierhoff, Missouri Association of Rural
Educators; Missouri National Education Association; and
Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:20 am