1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

Open-Enrollment (SB 971) would be a disaster for Missouri public schools and the communities the schools. When a student leaves a resident district, the state funding attached to that student also leaves. However, fixed operational costs like custodial services and HV/AC remain. Students leaving are typically spread across grade levels, making it difficult to make any significant staffing adjustments. As a result, districts may be forced to reduce programs to cut costs, limiting opportunities for students who remain. All of that, including the uncertainty of open enrollment, also make it hard for schools plan and budget from year to year. Open enrollment also shows NO improvement signs for the student either when it comes to educational success. This is a bad plan; for students, for teachers, for communities.