The Missouri Senate has given initial approval to a bill that would authorize funding for groups that sponsor charter schools. The Missouri Senate has given initial approval to a bill that would authorize funding for groups that sponsor charter schools. The payments would be subject to lawmaker approval. The Senate endorsed Kenney's bill by voice vote Tuesday. It requires another vote before moving to the House.
Charter schools operate as public schools but without traditional rules and oversight.
A 1998 Missouri law authorized them in Kansas City and St. Louis only. Under the bill, the mayors of Kansas City and St. Louis to sponsor charter schools. Sponsors of the schools would be required to conduct criminal background checks of employees, file more timely applications and comply with current statewide testing standards. The legislation would also require that charter schools publish audits and financial reports. Board members, officers and employees would be subject to the same misconduct standards as public school employees.