As legislative discussions continue in Jefferson City, several key bills and budget considerations are progressing that could impact our students, staff and community.
Following is a summary of the latest updates and their potential effects on Cassville R-IV.
Budget discussions for K-12 education are ongoing, with the House Appropriations Committee meeting last week. The state has seen a 5.9% financial increase and a 12% rise in sales tax revenue, alleviating concerns about Proposition C funding.
House Bill 711, which would implement open enrollment across districts, has cleared committee but has not yet been scheduled for a vote. Senate Bill 215, the Senate’s version of open enrollment, remains on the informal calendar but faces opposition. Both bills could significantly impact district funding and enrollment stability.
Additionally, House Bill 477, which strengthens parental consent requirements for IEPs, is gaining traction thanks to advocacy efforts.
Senate Bill 68 would require schools to report safety incidents to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which would maintain a statewide database. While this could enhance transparency, concerns exist regarding the potential impact on school reputation. The bill also mandates policies on student cell phone use, allowing exceptions for emergencies and special education needs.
Senate Bill 10 aims to remove expiration dates on school construction management methods, offering more flexibility for district projects. Additionally, it extends a provision allowing retired teachers to work as substitutes without losing their retirement benefits—a vital resource given ongoing educator shortages.
Senate Bill 63 proposes restricting homeschool and virtual students from participating in public school extracurricular activities, potentially affecting some families in our community.
Meanwhile, House Bill 594 would implement a 100% capital gains tax deduction, potentially reducing state revenue by over $300 million. Other tax-related bills, such as Senate Bill 87, propose gradual reductions in property tax assessments, starting in 2026.
Two bills — House Bill 816 and House Bill 629 — aim to adjust personal property valuation methods and lower assessment rates.
Additionally, House Bill 660 would enforce clearer ballot measure language and prevent rejected tax proposals from being reintroduced within a certain timeframe, which could affect future local funding initiatives.
Other notable legislation includes:
• Senate Bill 276 would expand content restrictions to digital library catalogs.
• Senate Bill 483 seeks to block funding for schools employing staff found guilty of distributing explicit material.
• Senate Bill 344 would excuse student absences for election participation, promoting civic engagement.
• Senate Bill 375 would require schools to offer voter registration opportunities twice a year.
• Senate Bill 485 proposes moving school board elections to November and extending board terms to four years.
Additional bills, such as House Bill 1238, which would allow school employees’ non-resident children to attend district schools, and House Bill 1287, a Parents & Teachers Bill of Rights, continue to be debated.
As these issues develop, it is essential for our community to stay informed and engaged. I encourage parents, educators, and community members to monitor these legislative developments and communicate with our elected representatives about how these decisions impact Cassville R-IV and Missouri public schools.
For those interested in learning more about current legislative matters, I strongly encourage you to contact our local representatives. State Rep. Scott Cupps, R-Shell Knob, who has been doing an exemplary job fighting for public education, represents the 158th District. He can be reached by email at scott. cupps@house.mo.gov or by phone at 573-751-1488. You can also visit him personally at the Capitol in Room 404-A.
State Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, represents the 29th District and can be contacted by email at mike.moon@senate.mo.gov or by phone at 573-751-1488. His office is located at the Capitol in Room 220.
Merlyn Johnson is the superintendent of the Cassville school district. He may be reached at mjohnson@cassville.k12. mo.us.
