JEFFERSON CITY — After years of falling short, advocates of school choice see an opening to get a charter school expansion plan across the finish line this spring.

On Monday, one of the primary roadblocks to expansion was appointed to a post on the Missouri State Tax Commission by Gov. Mike Parson.

Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington, was not viewed as a proponent of charter schools during his tenure as chairman of the Senate Education Committee. His appointment by Parson removes a firewall in the Legislature — a change that has not gone unnoticed by charter school proponents.

“Certainly, Sen. Romine’s departure will change that dynamic,” said Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, who is sponsoring a charter expansion plan that could bring charter schools to St. Charles County, Jefferson County and Missouri cities with populations above 30,000 residents.

Currently, charter schools are only allowed in St. Louis and Kansas City.

“The appetite for some kind of charter school reform has been growing for several years,” Eigel said.