JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri Senate is expected to take up a measure this week that would expand a school voucher program and allow public charter schools in all of St. Louis and St. Charles counties.
Senate President Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, a proponent, said Friday the education package could be brought to the floor as early as Monday or Tuesday.
School choice forces would score a big win with a successful vote — three years after proponents settled for a partial victory when Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, authorized vouchers for students, but with certain geographic and income limits.
This year’s measure would remove geographic barriers to participation and double the current income limits to 400% of the income level to qualify for free and reduced lunch.
Using income criteria effective July 1, that would allow a family of four with a household income of up to $220,000 to qualify for the vouchers.
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During debate, Democrats could push for additional accountability measures for the program and action on legislation to encourage a five-day school week.
The school choice proposal, opposed in committee by traditional public education groups such as the Missouri School Boards Association and the Missouri State Teachers Association, is a priority for the Republican-controlled Senate this year.
Its sponsor, state Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, is a member of the Missouri Freedom Caucus, a group of hard-right conservatives that has openly feuded with Rowden and other Republicans. But he and Rowden are both vocal supporters of additional school choice legislation.
Still a minority of the GOP caucus has viewed past school-choice legislation with skepticism, which could present a challenge on the floor if any of those Republicans align with Democrats in blocking a vote.
“After this session, I don’t count anything out,†said Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence. “It has not been politics as usual this year, so to speak, so nothing shocks me anymore.â€
Three Republicans joined with all 10 Democrats in opposing passage of the initial MOScholars program in 2021. All three — Sens. Sandy Crawford, Karla Eslinger and Lincoln Hough — are still in the chamber.
Voucher, charter expansion
MOScholars provides more than $6,000 to go toward education expenses for qualifying students. Instead of a direct state appropriation, legislators created a tax credit program to fund the scholarships.
Under the system, Educational Assistance Organizations accept donations that fund the scholarships, and the contributor claims a tax credit.
Most of the students participating in the program have gone to private religious schools, and a minority of families have used the funds for home-schooling expenses.
The availability of the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts in 2021 was limited to certain parts of the state, including St. Louis and the counties of St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson, and the Kansas City and Springfield metro areas, Columbia, and cities with 30,000 or more residents.
At the time backers in the House compromised with rural Republicans to gain support. Rural Republican legislators asked for geographic restrictions on the program, said Rep. Phil Christofanelli, R-St. Peters, the sponsor.
The Senate plan under consideration would eliminate the geographic barriers imposed in 2021.
The Senate bill would also expand the places where publicly funded charter schools may operate.
Charters would be allowed in St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Boone County under the measure.
Currently, there are charters operating in the city of St. Louis and Kansas City, as well as one charter school in the Normandy School District.
Any sponsor may open a charter school in St. Louis or Kansas City, as well as in districts such as Normandy that have been provisionally accredited for several years.
But to open anywhere else, the charter school under current law would need to be sponsored by the school district.
Treasurer troubles
Sen. Doug Beck, D-south St. Louis County, on Thursday called for more accountability for the program, which is currently housed within the state treasurer’s office.
“We need to look at accountability, to where our taxpayer money is going, whether it’s vouchers or charters,†Beck said. “One of my specific issues is that the voucher program is currently within the treasurer’s office.
“And, when we’ve tried to get information ... you can’t get it,†Beck said.
Koenig, in comments to reporters, said he had a “hard line†at placing MOScholars under the purview of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
“I will not allow DESE to control the program,†Koenig said. “I think that would be a disaster for the program.â€
Koenig said he was open to more transparency, including an online portal where information can be provided to the public, or a board that would make suggestions.
Koenig also said “it was not good information that we received†when asked if he or his Freedom Caucus colleagues had asked for records from State Treasurer Vivek Malek’s office.
“Obviously I think they should be more forthcoming in providing that information,†said Koenig, who is running for treasurer in the Aug. 6 Republican primary.
In response, a statement provided by Kern Chhikara, spokesman for the treasurer’s office, said, “The Treasurer’s office has provided information to legislators about MOScholars upon request.â€
Chhikara provided a copy of an email sent to Beck on Jan. 10 that includes two data tables. Two additional data tables were sent Jan. 16 in spreadsheet form.
Beck originally had asked for “all the data†on the MoScholars program, according to his email.
“We have provided him with abundant information about MOScholars,†a treasurer’s office statement said.
Malek, who has also faced criticism after he allowed treasurer’s office stickers to be placed on unregulated slot machines, as of Friday had yet to file for election. Candidate filing ends March 26.
House Budget Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, and Lori Rook, of Springfield, are also running for treasurer.
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