Missouri public schools are facing another call to allow open enrollment this year, which is complicated by the state’s uncertain funding outlook.
For several years there have been calls to allow open enrollment, or allowing students to go to any district without having to reside there, in Missouri schools.
“It is clear to me at least, there is strong interest in some quarters for open enrollment,” said Jim Morris, director of public information for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. DESE has no official position on open enrollment.
The issue has gone to the General Assembly before, but has never been approved. Advocates of the option have argued it allows parents the freedom to choose where their children are educated, requiring schools to compete for students, improving the education they provide, and gaining more financial support by increased enrollment in the district.
Local administrators, however, aren’t viewing the plan as a chance to compete, but are focused on the increased cost open enrollment could bring on their schools.
“Accepting students from other districts — we are not equipped to handle the increase in the teacher-to-student ratio,” said Dr. Aaron Zalis, assistant superintendent at Rolla schools. If open enrollment was introduced, Zalis predicted Rolla schools would see an enrollment increase.
