Governor signs bill allowing charter schools in Boone County, raising teacher salaries

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Parson signed a bill Tuesday that includes allowing charter schools in Boone County and raising public school teacher salaries among its provisions.

Boone County public school administrators have been vocal in their opposition to Senate Bill 727, sending a letter last week urging Parson to veto the bill. That followed a letter of opposition signed by those same superintendents as the legislature considered the bill, which won approval last month on largely party-line votes.

Friday’s letter was signed by Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood, Hallsville R-4 Superintendent John Downs, Southern Boone School District Superintendent Tim Roth, Sturgeon R-4 Superintendent Dustin Fanning, Harrisburg R-8 Superintendent Steve Combs, Fayette R-3 Superintendent Brent Doolin and North Callaway R-1 Superintendent Kenya Thompson.

The superintendents argue that a local charter school would drain needed resources from public education in Boone County.

Supporters of charter schools in Boone County say the law will allow parents more choice in education and even make the public schools more competitive.

SB 727 also increases teacher salaries from $25,000 up to $40,000 for those with bachelor's degrees and from $33,000 to $46,000 for teachers with advanced degrees. That minimum will increase each year until the 2027-2028 school year.

The bill also expanded a tax credit program for private school tuition.

Parson is a news release focused on the increase in teacher's salaries.

"I have and always will support Missouri teachers. Since the beginning of our administration, we've looked at ways to increase teacher pay and reward our educators for the hard work they do, and this legislation helps us continue that progress," Parson says in the release.