Dear Board President:

The State Board of Education met in Jefferson City on June 23, 2005.  Following is a recap of what was an eventful – even historic – meeting.

THE WELLSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

I am sure that some school board members have been following the case of the Wellston School District, a small district in St. Louis County.  It became unaccredited in June 2003 and is the only unaccredited district in the state.  Under state law, the district had until June 30, 2005, to regain accredited status.  However, the district failed to make the necessary academic progress.  Following an emotional presentation by officials of the school district, the State Board of Education voted unanimously to make no change in the district’s status.  As a result, the district “lapsed” on June 30.  This set into motion, for the first time, actions by the Board and state education officials to take over operations of this troubled school district. 

In a special meeting held June 29 via conference call, the State Board appointed a three-person “special administrative board” to govern the Wellston schools.  This board replaces the elected board of education as the district’s governing authority for up to three years.  Its term may be extended, if necessary. 

The special administrative board convened for the first time on July 1.  It consists of a paid chairman and two unpaid residents of the school district.  We named Dr. Charles Brown, an assistant commissioner for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and a former deputy superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools, to chair the board and serve as superintendent of the district.  He will continue to be a state employee (part-time), but his primary responsibility will be the operation of the Wellston schools.  The district has about 700 resident students; about 100 of those students have attended other districts since 2003 when the district became unaccredited.

The district sought a temporary restraining order, in Cole County Circuit Court, to prevent us from carrying out the law and initiating state intervention.  That request was denied by a judge on June 30.  The special administrative board met the next day for the first time.  Action by the school district to seek a temporary injunction against the state is still pending, but we are proceeding according to the provisions of state law. 

This is a novel and challenging situation.  The state is now responsible for operating this school district and trying to turn things around.  Our immediate goals are to make sure the district is financially stable (It appears to have some significant issues in this regard.) and that the schools will be staffed and ready to open in August.  We anticipate that most, but not all, of the previous staff will be rehired. 

This is not an outcome we sought.  We would prefer that the state not be required to operate a local school district.  We recognize that the act of dissolving an elected board of education is a severe sanction.  In this case, however, we believe it is clear that action needed to be taken to resolve issues that were not being addressed effectively by the previous board and administration. 

I know that school districts throughout the state will be watching the Wellston case to see what happens and to monitor the state’s action.  We will keep you posted.

CHANGING HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The State Board approved proposed revisions in the minimum high school graduation requirements.  These changes have been discussed and publicized for several months.  We extend our thanks to the members of the High School Task Force that worked hard for the past year to develop several recommendations regarding possible high school reform initiatives, including the piece that we approved at our June meeting. 

We approved a proposed regulation to increase the minimum graduation requirements.  This proposal must be published by the Secretary of State (on August 1), and there will be a formal public comment period during August.  The State Board must consider the proposal again this fall, along with all of the comments that are received.  The proposals are subject to change before we take a final vote to adopt the revised standards – probably in October.

The proposed requirements have been publicized and are available on the Department’s Web site.  We encourage you and your board, along with your administration, to review the proposed standards and express your views, pro or con, by August 31.  We intend for these standards to apply to the Class of 2010 – the students who will be eighth graders this fall. 

MEETING WITH COORDINATING BOARD FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

As we do periodically, the State Board dedicated a part of its time to meeting with the Coordinating Board for Higher Education.  Since we were preparing to vote on the proposed changes in high school graduation requirements, the stage was set for us to have a useful discussion with the Coordinating Board about high school expectations, collegiate admissions standards, and related matters.  We also discussed ways we can work together more effectively in the evaluation and approval of professional education programs in Missouri’s colleges and universities.

A new Commissioner of Higher Education, Dr. Gregory Fitch, was appointed by the Coordinating Board in January.  Several new members of the Coordinating Board have been appointed by Governor Blunt in recent months.  This meeting was an excellent opportunity for the two boards to get reacquainted and for senior staff of the two agencies to work together.  This was one of the most productive discussions we have ever had with the Coordinating Board for Higher Education.

OTHER ACTION

At our June meeting, the State Board also: 

• Approved revisions in the state plan for special education, as required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  This incorporates several changes resulting from the recent reauthorization of the federal special education law.  Five public hearings were held across the state on this topic.
   

• Rescinded regulations concerning “academically deficient schools” and school district report cards.  Legislation enacted this year by the General Assembly eliminated the designation of academically deficient schools.  Instead, beginning in 2006-07, low-performing schools will be identified as “priority schools.”  A new law also eliminates the requirement that school districts publish their own annual “report cards” about the district and each building.  This responsibility has been assigned to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  We are always happy to have a chance to rescind unnecessary rules and regulations.
   

• Approved several proposed revisions in certification requirements for principals and for counselors and other student-services personnel. Approved professional education programs offered at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
   

• Approved the accreditation of 17 school districts – all “accredited” and with no change in status from their second-cycle designation.

 ◊  ◊  ◊  ◊  ◊

Effective July 1, Peter Herschend, of Branson, is the new president of the State Board of Education.  Russell Thompson, Columbia, is the new vice president.  Both of these gentlemen are veteran members of the State Board, and they will provide excellent leadership for the Board and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Having been a member of the State Board of Education since 1987, I have had the opportunity to see a great deal of change in public education.  There can be no doubt that public education in Missouri is better, stronger, more focused and more universally excellent than at any time in Missouri history.  Missouri students, because of the work of districts and their professional educator staffs, are achieving better results and improving at a faster rate than their peers around the country.  However, I have discovered that in this work of serving students, you can exhaust yourself, but never exhaust the needs to be met nor the issues to be considered. 

School boards will continue to face significant challenges.  Financial pressures are not likely to diminish.  The need for clear accountability and effective results will increase.  Regardless of the challenges, school board members are the ones responsible for standing up and advocating for the welfare of all kids – and advocating for a public education system that is able to meet society’s demands.  The State Board of Education will continue to be your ally and supporter in meeting those challenges. 

It has been my privilege to serve as president of the State Board for the past three years.  These have been and will continue to be challenging times for policymakers in public education.  My hope is that history will judge the policy debates of these times to have been focused on the best interests of students.  I am glad to have been one voice involved in these important debates and issues.  Now I look forward to supporting Peter and Russ and to working with all of you in the service of our kids.

The next meeting of the State Board of Education will be August 4-5 in Jefferson City.

Sincerely,

Thomas R. Davis
President