The 2025 Missouri legislative session convened on Jan. 8, and Gov. Mike Kehoe was sworn into office on Jan. 13 on the steps of the Capital.
At the federal level, President Donald Trump was sworn as the 47th president on Monday. His presidency is poised to bring significant changes to public education in the United States. Central to his agenda is the proposed elimination of the Department of Education, aiming to transfer educational authority back to individual states.
This move is intended to reduce federal oversight and promote localized control over educational policies. With a new year and new political agendas, public school leaders must quickly adapt to whatever changes and unknowns our legislators and politicians steer our way.
As the superintendent of Cassville R-IV Schools, I want to ensure that we remain proactive in responding to legislative initiatives, always prioritizing the best interests of our students. Recent developments at the state and federal levels provide both opportunities and challenges for public education, and our district is prepared to address these with diligence and focus.
The new Missouri legislative session has ushered in fresh leadership, including a new governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. Additionally, 54 new House members and 10 new senators were sworn into office. With so many changes, this is an important time for us to educate our legislators about the needs and priorities of public education.
By building strong relationships and maintaining open lines of communication, we can advocate for policies that benefit our students and schools. The leadership in the State Senate has highlighted improving access to quality education and third-grade reading proficiency as key priorities. These align with many of our existing goals at Cassville R-IV. We will monitor legislative progress closely to ensure these initiatives translate into meaningful support for our students and educators.
State funding for education remains a critical issue. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) proposed budget includes full funding for transportation, which is essential for large boundary districts like ours. However, potential income tax cuts and proposed reductions in property and personal property taxes could pose significant challenges. These changes could impact the resources available for public schools, making it more important than ever to manage our budget carefully and advocate for sustainable funding.
Proposals related to open enrollment, charter school expansion, and voucher tax credit expansion are on the legislative docket. Additionally, special education bills aim to give parents greater influence over Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Our district will work closely with our special education team to stay informed and responsive, ensuring that any changes support the unique needs of our students.
Safety continues to be a top priority at the State level. Bills addressing anti-bullying measures, protective coatings for windows and doors, and overall school safety enhancements have been introduced. These measures are critical to maintaining a secure environment where students can focus on learning. We are committed to staying informed about these proposals and implementing necessary changes to enhance the safety of our schools.
Ensuring competitive salaries for our educators remains a priority. Questions surrounding the sustainability of funding for minimum teacher salaries have arisen, and our district will monitor these discussions closely. We will continue to advocate for policies that attract and retain high-quality educators, as they are essential to our students’ success. Legislation encouraging a 169-day calendar and providing flexibility for inclement weather days is under consideration. These changes could allow districts more adaptability in structuring the school year, and we will carefully evaluate how they could impact our students and staff.
State revenue trends remain positive but are tempered by a cautious outlook. Our district will continue to follow legislative developments and their implications for our budget and operations. I encourage everyone in our community to remain engaged and informed as we navigate these changes together.
Cassville R-IV is dedicated to ensuring that legislative decisions translate into positive outcomes for all our students. Transparency and communication with parents, staff, and stakeholders will be prioritized as we navigate these changes together. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure all students continue to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
By staying informed and proactive, we will continue to uphold our commitment to excellence in education.
Merlyn Johnson is the superintendent of the Cassville school district. He may be reached at mjohnson@ cassville.k12.mo.us
