At its meeting today, the State Board of Education reclassified Riverview Gardens School District as provisionally accredited, following a Department presentation outlining the district’s improvements over the past few years. The classification will be effective January 4, 2017, which is the first day of the second semester of the Riverview Gardens school year.

“This accreditation classification is the result of improvements gained through hard work from students, teachers and leaders in the Riverview Gardens School District and community,” said Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven. “We are pleased with their efforts to help students succeed.”

In its 2016 Annual Performance Report (APR), Riverview Gardens scored 74.3 percent of the possible points, the second straight year the district has scored more than 70 percent. The Department considers multiple APRs in its consideration of accreditation classification to ensure sustained improvement in the district.

Once the new accreditation classification becomes effective, there will no longer be a provision in state law allowing Riverview Gardens students to transfer to other districts. Riverview Gardens staff and 22 receiving districts and charters have reached an agreement to allow current transfer students to continue at the receiving schools at least through the end of the 2016-17 school year.

“The districts share a commitment to do what is best for children,” said State Board President Charlie Shields. “We appreciate their efforts to minimize disruption for transfer students.”

Riverview Gardens became unaccredited in 2007. A Special Administrative Board was named in 2010. The current members are Dr. Lynn Beckwith, Jr., Mrs. Veronica Morrow-Reel and Dr. Mark Tranel. Superintendent Scott Spurgeon was hired in 2013. The Riverview Gardens comprehensive school improvement plan has focused on higher standards for educators, increased academic rigor, and improved school climate and culture.