House moves to lift deed restrictions on unused school facilities; Jackson County exclusion amendment fails

Representative from Saint Louis County introduced committee substitutes for House Bills 2404 and 2172 asking the House to remove long-standing deed restrictions that can prevent unused public school buildings from being sold or leased for educational reuse, including by charter schools. The sponsor said freeing up unused buildings could allow repurposing and generate revenue to support existing students.

Opponents, including several members representing St. Louis City and Jackson County, said the measure would strip local control and could interfere with neighborhood plans for repurposing property. A Jackson County amendment to exclude its districts and local charter schools was offered on the floor and put to a roll-call vote; the amendment failed (42 yea, 85 nay). Earlier, the House approved a motion on immediate consideration by roll-call (84 yea, 44 nay) to proceed to the amendment vote.

Speakers described local examples where districts and local redevelopment authorities are pursuing planned reuse and neighborhood-driven solutions, and warned the bill’s definitions of “unused facility” and its two-year timing requirement could force districts to market or sell property before local plans are implemented. Supporters said the bill is permissive and intended to allow more educational reuse where appropriate and cited out-of-state precedents where similar statutes expanded options for charter schools and reuse.

After debate and the failed carve-out, the House adopted the committee substitutes and ordered them perfected and printed by voice vote. Announcements followed and the House recessed until 2:00 p.m.