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HB 2050

Requires school superintendents of certain school districts to reside within the school district

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marlene Terry

The bill requires superintendents in districts with accreditation or funding problems to reside in that district, including when districts share a superintendent.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
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Bill Summary · HB 2050

Overview

Missouri House Bill 2050 (2026) would require school superintendents to reside within the boundaries of their employing district if the district or any school within it is unaccredited, at risk of losing accreditation, or experiencing a funding deficit. The residency requirement applies to all contracts or employment agreements entered after the bill’s effective date, including superintendents shared across districts.

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a residency requirement for superintendents in districts facing accreditation challenges or funding deficits.
  • Extend residency obligations to superintendents who share duties across multiple districts.
  • Align superintendent housing with districts’ efforts to address accreditation status or funding concerns.

Key provisions

  • Residency requirement:
    • A superintendent employed by a school district must reside within the boundaries of that district if the district or a school within the district is:
    • Classified as unaccredited, or
    • Facing the loss of accredited status, or
    • Experiencing a funding deficit.
    • The residency rule applies to all contracts or employment agreements entered into after the effective date of the subsection.
    • For districts sharing a superintendent, the requirement also applies; if any shared district or its school(s) meet the above conditions, the shared superintendent must reside within one of the participating districts.
  • Contract terms:
    • The bill amends current law to reflect four new sections on school superintendents (168.191, 168.201, 168.205, 168.211), replacing prior provisions.
    • In metropolitan districts, the bill retains existing language about appointment, term, compensation, bonding, and governance, while extending the residency provision to those districts if applicable (unaccredited, at risk, or funded deficit).
  • Sharing superintendents:
    • Two or more districts may share a superintendent who holds a valid Missouri superintendent’s license.
    • Notification or approval processes with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE): districts may notify DESE, and in some cases DESE approval is not required.
    • Additional state aid: starting July 1, 2023 (subject to appropriation), districts that share a superintendent may receive an extra $30,000 in state aid annually, in addition to other state aid. Funds must be used to compensate teachers or provide counseling services, and no district may receive this additional funding for more than five years.
  • Funding and administration:
    • The extra aid is separate from and not included in Chapter 163 calculations.
    • If a district receives the additional funding, it must demonstrate that the funds are used as required (teacher compensation or counseling services).

Who would be affected

  • Superintendents employed by Missouri school districts (including those who share a superintendent with another district).
  • Districts facing accreditation issues (unaccredited or at risk of losing accreditation) or experiencing funding deficits.
  • Metropolitan districts’ governance structures remain largely as-is, but the residency provision could apply if conditions are met.
  • DESE, which would handle reporting, notification, and, in some cases, approval related to shared superintendents and funding.

Timelines and procedural aspects

  • Effective date: Subsection 168.191(2), 168.201(2), and 168.211(1) would apply to contracts entered into after the effective date of the subsection (i.e., future contracts post-enactment).
  • Shared superintendent funding: Additional state aid begins July 1, 2023, contingent on appropriation, and is capped at five years per district.
  • Sharing process: Districts may notify DESE or seek approval (approval not always required) when sharing a superintendent.

Potential implications and considerations

  • Recruitment and retention: Residency requirements could influence where superintendents choose to live and could affect recruitment, especially in districts with ongoing accreditation or funding challenges.
  • Compliance burden: Districts and superintendents must ensure contracts meet the residency condition and provide documentation as required.
  • Equity and implementation: Shared-services districts may need to coordinate housing arrangements or designate a residence within one of the participating districts, potentially affecting mobility and cost-of-living dynamics.
  • Fiscal impact: Additional $30,000/year per sharing district provides targeted funding for personnel costs or student support services, with a five-year limit.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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