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Board hears legislative wrap-up: open enrollment fails; SB68 passes with calendar and substitute provisions; high-court case to watch
Summary
The board received a legislative update: open-enrollment legislation failed this session, an omnibus bill (SB68) passed with calendar and substitute-teacher provisions, and a Supreme Court case could change public funding rules for private religious schools.
A legislative report to the Cape Girardeau 63 board summarized the close of the 2025 Missouri legislative session and noted pending national legal developments that could affect school funding.
The district's legislative representative said the open-enrollment bill did not pass this session. "Open enrollment is dead for this session," the presenter said, and described that outcome as favorable for public schools in the district because the measure had been a priority for the governor.
The presenter described Senate Bill 68 as an omnibus bill that passed and included multiple provisions. Two items highlighted for the board were a "169-day calendar fix" (clarifying what days count for the school calendar) and a provision extending limits on substitute teaching after retirement through June 2030.
On the budget, the presenter said the legislature passed a state budget that, if signed by the governor, would fully fund public schools' Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funding the district relies on; the presenter also noted the budget designates $50 million toward private and parochial school tuition credits or payments.
At the federal level, the representative warned of a U.S. Supreme Court case out of Oklahoma concerning whether public-education funds can be used for private and religious-based schools. The speaker identified Saint Isidore (a religious charter school mentioned in the case) as involved and said the Court's decision, expected in late June or July, could affect how schools are funded.
Board members said they would monitor developments and requested updates if the Supreme Court issues a decision that affects funding or district policy.
