Bill would let counties dedicate local sales tax to early childhood services with voter approval Rep. Cecily Williams presented HB 2379 to let counties, after voter approval, dedicate an existing local sales-tax mechanism to early childhood education and place revenues in a dedicated fund managed by Community Children's Services Funds; witnesses emphasized capacity gaps and local control while lawmakers pressed for clarity on licensing, eligibility, transparency and overlap with school funding.

A new bill could empower Missouri counties to fund early childhood services through local sales tax, but it hinges on voter approval and clarity on eligibility.

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#MO #VoterApproval #CitizenPortal #MissouriEarlyChildhood #ChildcareAccess #LocalControl

Parents, teachers urge Francis Howell board to preserve full-day early childhood program Multiple parents and teachers urged the Francis Howell R-III Board to retain full-day early childhood programming, citing academic and social gains, program enrollment and tuition revenue; administration said no decisions have been made and will return a recommendation in January.

Parents and teachers are rallying to save the full-day early childhood program at Francis Howell, highlighting its vital role in academic success and family support amidst looming budget uncertainties.

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#MO #CitizenPortal #MissouriEarlyChildhood #CivicAccountability