Vol. 41, No. 10
February 15, 2007
CONTACT: JIM MORRIS |
State Board of Education Reinstates “Transitional
School District” for the St. Louis Public Schools
The State Board of Education today voted to take the first step toward authorizing outside intervention in the governance of the St. Louis Public Schools, Missouri’s largest public school system.
At a meeting this morning in Jefferson City, the Board voted to reinstate the “transitional school district,” a structure authorized by state law in 1998. Under the law (Section 162.1100, RSMo.), the transitional district can begin functioning 30 days from today – March 17.
The State Board of Education did not take any action today regarding the accreditation of the St. Louis Public Schools.
“We are not eager to take this action, but we are convinced that conditions in the St. Louis Public Schools have deteriorated to the point where action by the state is warranted,” said Peter F. Herschend, Branson, chairman of the State Board of Education.
“I think this action by the State Board of Education is justified and needed,” said Commissioner of Education D. Kent King.
“Considering all of the circumstances in this school district – declining academic performance, precarious finances, constant turmoil in the leadership, and the negative findings of the special advisory committee that we named – I think it is time for the state to take action,” King said.