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Support grows for homeschooled athletes bill in 12th year in Missouri legislature

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missouriindependent.com – Annelise Hanshaw – 2025-03-24 13:00:00

by Annelise Hanshaw, Missouri Independent
March 24, 2025

A bill that would require public schools to offer extracurricular activities to local homeschooled students is gaining traction after more than a decade of consideration by Missouri lawmakers.

High school senior Lydia Meredith, whose family annually drives from Joplin to testify in favor of the bill, told the Senate Education Committee in February it was her fourth time asking for them to pass the legislation.

Meredith was part of a competitive swimming team growing up and enjoyed racing with her friends. But when they reached high school, her friends joined the team at their public school. Meredith, who is homeschooled, was left behind.

“Before me came other Missouri students asking to be given the same opportunity to play for local sports teams, to join band or join a local debate team,” she said. “Every year this bill is not passed is another year the Missouri Legislature is complicit in denying key educational experiences for students.”

She said it was time for senators “to see this bill through to the end.”

For years, legislation seeking to give homeschooled students access to activities in public schools has been filed in Missouri. Most legislative sessions, the bill is passed by a committee but surpassed by other education priorities and never makes it to discussion by either legislative chamber.

The proposal was first offered in 2014, under then-Rep. Elijah Haahr, a Springfield Republican and homeschooled student who later became Missouri House speaker. The legislation didn’t make it to the House or Senate floor until 2021. The chamber gave its initial approval to the bill but never passed it to the Senate.

In 2023, the bill had its longest run, making it into a larger education package that passed the Senate with only two opposed and clearing a House committee late in session.

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This year, the Senate in February unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Ben Brown of Washington, and House leadership referred the bill to its education committee over legislative spring break. This is the fastest the legislation has passed its originating chamber.

The bill has also garnered approval by former critics. 

State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat, voted against the legislation in prior years but said during the Senate debate that she had changed her mind after hearing from homeschooling families.

“I really see the benefit of having students, and the more the merrier, be able to participate in activities,” she said.

Nurrenbern previously worried that public school and homeschool students could be held to different standards and access the same privileges.

A school counselor had those concerns in the committee hearing. Other opposition came from a homeschooling group called Family Covenant Ministries, which has concerns about applying the state’s homeschooling law to public activities.

Home educators in Missouri have been split over the years about bills that would expand opportunities for homeschoolers but connect them closer to state government. Some say it could open them up for more state oversight of homeschoolers, of which Missouri has very little.

In a large education package passed last year, lawmakers created a new category of homeschool called family-paced education. This group would be able to take advantage of the state’s education tax-credit program while allowing those wary of governmental intrusion to have separation in state law.

David Klarich, a lobbyist for Family Covenant Ministries, said Brown’s bill should only apply to family-paced education.

Another homeschooling organization, Families for Home Education, spoke in favor of the bill — not because of the extracurricular activities but for a provision that often evades discussion.

The bill seeks to remove a part of state law that describes a declaration of intent to homeschool. The declaration is optional and is intended to reduce truancy investigations.

Kim Quon, a director for Families for Home Education, said the law has had “the opposite effect.” Some families who have sent a letter of their intent to homeschool have reported the district did not remove their children from enrollment records.

“It has spurred many unnecessary discussions and investigations,” she said.

The organization has otherwise taken a neutral stance on the bill’s provisions on student athletes, according to its website.

The bill is one of 28 awaiting a hearing by the House Elementary and Secondary Education committee, of which only two are Senate bills.

Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.

The post Support grows for homeschooled athletes bill in 12th year in Missouri legislature appeared first on missouriindependent.com

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Jackson County lawmakers override Frank White's vetoes

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fox4kc.com – Jonathan Ketz – 2025-07-18 11:23:00

SUMMARY: The Jackson County Legislature unanimously overrode three vetoes by County Executive Frank White Jr., including his veto delaying a recall election now set for August 26. Legislator Megan Smith abstained, expressing concerns about disenfranchising military and overseas voters due to federal absentee ballot timing requirements. Chair DaRon McGee defended the Legislature’s timeline, blaming White for delays. The election boards have sued over the legality of the recall election, with court hearings upcoming. Additionally, the Legislature overrode vetoes on measures to let voters decide if the county assessor should be elected and extended the property tax credit deadline for seniors. White urges a November election to ensure legality and integrity.

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Ozarks weather whiplash in 2025 explained

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www.ozarksfirst.com – Tom Schmidt – 2025-07-18 10:08:00

SUMMARY: Spring and summer 2025 in the Ozarks have seen extreme weather swings, including multiple severe wind and tornado events, especially near Springfield. Since May 1, over 40% of days had rain, often heavy, with hot, muggy dry days between. Notable events include deadly EF-3 tornadoes in March and April, significant windstorms in April and June, and record-breaking rainfall in April and May. This active pattern is linked to a disrupted Polar Vortex from sudden stratospheric warming, an amplified and slow jet stream, a La Niña to neutral ENSO transition, and elevated Gulf of Mexico water temperatures increasing atmospheric moisture. These factors combined caused the unusual weather volatility of 2025.

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Parking lot shoot out leaves 5 injured in Tower Grove South

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www.youtube.com – FOX 2 St. Louis – 2025-07-17 22:17:56

SUMMARY: Five people were injured in a parking lot shootout Sunday in the Tower Grove South area of St. Louis. The incident occurred at the INAD Motor parking lot near Morganford Road and Beck Avenue. Police confirmed that at least 30 shots were fired and two vehicles were involved, including a Mercedes reported stolen on July 11. Among the victims are three juveniles and two young adults aged 18 to 24. All were transported to area hospitals and are in stable condition. The scene remains active, and investigators continue to gather details on what led to the violent exchange of gunfire.

District 2 officers were alerted to a shooting in the Tower Grove South neighborhood, leaving five injured.

According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), officers were alerted to reports of a shooting around 8 p.m. Thursday at Morganford and Beck Avenue.

St. Louis News: FOX 2 covers news, weather, and sports in Missouri and Illinois. Read more about this story or see the latest updates on our website https://FOX2Now.com

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