Bill > SB177

This bill requires new charter schools in Missouri to obtain a certificate of need from the State Board of Education before operating, starting August 28, 2025. The certificate of need application must be submitted by the governing board of the school district or local government where the proposed charter school would be located. The application must demonstrate several key conditions: there is consumer demand for alternative educational options, the school district has sufficient economic and human resources to support the new school without harming existing educational services, and the proposed charter school is likely to provide specific benefits such as alleviating economic and racial inequities, improving academic achievement, reducing student-teacher ratios, and addressing family priorities like safety and convenience. The State Board of Education will have 120 calendar days to review each application, approving it if the provided information is factual and based on sound data, or disapproving it with a written explanation if the information is deemed insufficient. The bill clarifies that existing charter schools and charter school sponsorship transfers are exempt from this new certificate of need requirement, and that charter schools must still comply with all other existing state and federal education regulations.

Education

https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=478