Missouri NEA Legislative Update

Week 18, No. 2, May 9, 2006
Otto Fajen,Missouri NEA Legislative Director

HOUSE PASSES VIRTUAL SCHOOL BILL
The House passed SS/SCS/SB 912 (Jack Goodman) to create the Missouri Virtual Public School. The House defeated the HCS and took up the Senate version. Rep. Maynard Wallace offered HA 1 to correct the summer school state aid penalty, but the amendment was ruled out of order. The House then passed the bill by a vote of 136-20. Since the House adopted the Senate version without amendment, the bill is now finally passed and ready to be sent to the Governor for approval.

SENATE DEBATES VIRTUAL SCHOOL BILL
The Senate took up HB 1275 (Brian Baker) to create the Missouri Virtual Public School. The bill also includes the provisions of SB 970 (Chuck Gross) to protect districts in St. Charles County from uncompensated loss of local fine revenues if a county municipal court is established.
Sen. Charlie Shields added SA 1, which adds SB 1004 (Rita Days) to correct the sunset on the early childhood special education placement fix included in SB 500 (2005), SB 947 to establish standards for early childhood education, and SB 644 to correct the summer school state aid penalty. Sen. Tim Green added SA 3, to allow the State Auditor to audit any public school district. SA 3 was adopted by a vote of 17-16.
Sen. Loudon offered SA 4 to amend various provisions relating to charter schools including his SB 1190 to allow certain private colleges outside St. Louis City to sponsor charter schools in the city. A point of order was raised that the amendment goes beyond the scope and purpose of the bill. The point of order was taken under advisement, which ended debate on the bill. It appears unlikely that the bill will be taken up for consideration again this year, now that the House has finally passed the virtual schools language in SB 912.