Missouri Lawmakers passed a sweeping education package on Thursday, April 19. The legislation raises the minimum pay for Missouri teachers, increases pre-K funding, and expands the state’s tax credit scholarship program.

The General Assembly passed SB 727 and HB 2287 together because lawmakers felt they would not pass unless they were coupled together.

“We have tried over the past few years to pass a robust school choice expansion or a teacher retention and pay increase package, but neither could pass alone,” said 8th District Representative Josh Hurlbert. “Through careful negotiation, a package was cobbled together that achieved the bare minimum - 82 votes needed to pass.”

One of the shining points to the legislation is a pay raise for Missouri teachers. The bill permanently raises the minimum teacher salary from $25,000 to $40,000. It will also increase the minimum salary for a seasoned teacher with a master’s degree.

Hurlbert also reports that the bill also adds an additional $60 million towards pre-K education and redefines enrollment and attendance that will increase funding for school districts.

“To incentivize a five-day school week, those schools on a five-day week will receive an extra 2% funding,” said Hurlbert. “These changes will add an additional $320 million to the foundation formula funding our public schools, on top of the $120 million already allocated in this year’s budget for the 6% increase in the per pupil state adequacy target funding.”

The legislation also expands the number of teacher recruitment and retention scholarships, changes how state aid to schools is calculated by including enrollment and attendance into the formula used to fund education and expands access to private schooling by increasing the income level to qualify for MOScholars education scholarships.

The bill passed by the minimum number of votes, 82-69 and now goes to the governor, who will decide whether to approve or reject it.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story