Legislative activity in Jefferson City has increased as lawmakers move fully into policy debate for the 2026 session. Several proposals under discussion could affect public schools, including funding, enrollment, and local decision-making. The School District of Washington is closely monitoring these developments.

The Missouri Senate has begun debating education-related legislation, including:

No final action has been taken on these bills.

The Senate Education Committee recently voted to advance open enrollment legislation by combining SB 971 and SB 906 into a substitute bill. The proposal now moves to the Senate floor. While full details are still being reviewed, the bill allows charter schools to participate. The district is evaluating potential impacts related to enrollment shifts, funding stability, and operations, and will continue to oppose Open Enrollment. Please see the LINKED Talking Points regarding this opposition.

Several property tax bills are advancing in the Missouri House that would change how school district tax rates are calculated and how growth in property values is treated. Because approximately 75% of the School District of Washington’s funding comes from local revenue, these proposals could have a direct local impact.

Examples of potential impacts include:

Lawmakers are also discussing broader tax reform concepts similar to past proposals that could: