Bill > HB447

This bill makes significant changes to the provisions governing charter schools in Missouri, expanding their potential locations and modifying their sponsorship, oversight, and accountability requirements. The bill allows charter schools to be established in a broader range of school districts, including those within counties with a charter form of government and municipalities with over 30,000 inhabitants. It clarifies and strengthens the sponsorship and oversight process for charter schools, requiring sponsors to develop comprehensive policies for charter application review, performance evaluation, and intervention or revocation of charters. The bill introduces more rigorous performance standards, mandating that sponsors evaluate charter schools based on academic performance, financial viability, and compliance with legal requirements. Additionally, the bill establishes a new Missouri Charter Public School Commission with the authority to sponsor high-quality charter schools statewide, with members appointed by the governor and selected to represent diverse educational expertise. The legislation also addresses facility access for charter schools, particularly in cities not within a county, by preventing local ordinances or deed restrictions from arbitrarily preventing charter schools from using certain properties for educational purposes. Overall, the bill aims to provide more opportunities for charter school establishment while ensuring greater accountability and quality control.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB447&year=2025&code=R