MO SB603

Allows parents/guardians in seven director or urban school districts (excluding those containing cities with population over 350,000) to enroll their children in public schools in other districts beginning July 1, 2011.

Requires notification to both the residence and receiving districts by January 15 of the preceding school year; late requests until third Friday in July are permitted if good cause exists, such as change in family residence, custody changes, foster care placement, or unaccredited resident district.

Districts with insufficient capacity must use fair lottery admissions process with preference given to siblings already enrolled; districts may deny admission based on class size and teacher-pupil ratio policies and must maintain records on transfer requests and denials.

Receiving district receives state school foundation aid and local tax revenue from the residence district equivalent to weighted average daily attendance multiplied by state adequacy target plus dollar value modifier, capped at the lower per pupil cost of either district.

Parents/guardians are responsible for student transportation; special education students may transfer only if receiving district can meet their needs without exceeding maximum class sizes; athletic participation governed by Missouri State High School Activities Association rules.