Bill > SB233

This bill provides for the establishment of an early education school district in St. Louis County (specifically counties with over one million inhabitants) to offer free public prekindergarten programs for four-year-old children. The district would be formed through a voter petition process requiring signatures from at least 5% of votes cast in recent school board elections, followed by a county-wide election. If approved, the district would be a new political subdivision with a seven-member elected board responsible for creating and managing prekindergarten programs. The district can levy property taxes up to 52 cents per $100 of assessed valuation and will receive state aid for eligible children, including funding for special education and teacher salaries. The early education district must align its curriculum with state early childhood education standards, comply with accountability metrics established by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and ensure programs are developmentally appropriate. Board members will be elected in municipal elections, serve three-year terms, and are subject to specific ethical guidelines to prevent conflicts of interest. The bill aims to expand access to early childhood education in eligible counties by creating a dedicated educational entity focused specifically on prekindergarten programming.

Education

https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=454