MO HB540

Establishes a "Council for Community Education" within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education with 11 members appointed by the governor.

Council membership shall include representatives from civic organizations, community-based organizations, community education organizations, local government, school district administrators, parent organizations, post-secondary education, school boards, and teachers.

Commissioner of education or designee shall convene the first meeting to establish bylaws and elect a chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary; council shall meet no more than four times annually and members receive expense reimbursement but no per diem.

Council shall conduct feasibility studies on community education programs, advise the commissioner on program establishment, recommend a state plan with goals and priorities for community schools, and recommend funding mechanisms for local community education programs.

Defines "community school" as a school making its facilities available for citizen use and coordinating community activities, and "community education program" as programs using public buildings as community centers to provide educational, recreational, cultural, health care, and related services.