Education bill that will allow charter schools in Boone County goes into effect Wednesday

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A new law goes into effect Wednesday that will raise teacher salaries and allow for charter schools in Boone County.

Senate Bill 727 was passed through the Missouri Legislative in April before Gov. Mike Parson signed the bill in May.

Boone County public school administrators previously sent a letter to Parson asking him to veto the bill. Local superintendents also signed a letter of opposition to the bill, arguing a local charter school would drain much-needed resources from the traditional public school districts in Boone County.

The new law 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 starting in the 2025-2026 school year. That minimum will increase each year until the 2027-2028 school year.

It also creates the "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Fund" and "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Program" to help with the increase of teacher salaries. The General Assembly can put money into the fund and school districts can apply to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for a grant for the fund.

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