MO SB242

Allows pupils to enroll in an adjoining school district if attendance there is closer by travel time or distance than their assigned school, or if attendance in their home district causes unusual or unreasonable transportation hardship due to natural barriers, unsafe barriers, or transportation impediments.

Requires parents or guardians to submit initial notification to the receiving district by March 15th of the preceding school year; the receiving district must respond within 15 business days whether it will accept the pupil.

Permits late enrollment requests after March 15th through May 15th if "good cause" exists, including changes in residence, marital status, custody, foster care placement, adoption, substance abuse or mental health treatment participation, or student health and safety concerns such as bullying or sexual misconduct.

Establishes tuition payment requirements where the sending district pays the receiving district's per-pupil cost based on the grade level grouping; if the receiving district's tuition is higher, parents pay the difference and any applicable property tax differences based on operating levy.

Requires tuition payments twice annually with a 2.5% late charge every two weeks if overdue; authorizes the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to withhold state school aid from the sending district if payment is more than three months past due.

Allows parents to appeal enrollment denials to the state board of education if the pupil meets transfer qualifications and the receiving district has available space with acceptable teacher-pupil ratios; the state board may charge an administrative fee not exceeding $500.