JEFFERSON CITY, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
It took just a matter of minutes for Missouri's State Board of Education to dissolve the Wellston School District in St. Louis County Thursday. But board members were well aware of the struggling district's history.
Wellston lost its accreditation in 2003 and never regained it. Four and a half years ago the state board installed an assistant commissioner of education to serve as superintendent. Charles Brown has made regular reports to the state board as he fought to improve student test scores and reduce a $2.5 million debt.
Supt. Brown and Missouri's new Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro decided limited signs of improvement and the Wellston community's poor economic condition made it necessary to merge Wellston with the neighboring Normandy district. Nicastro praised Brown for his efforts to nearly wipe out the debt (incurred when tuition was paid to send students to other districts because Wellston was unaccredited) and to increase student interest in attending college.
Board member Stan Archie said shutting down Wellston could be seen as a sign the board was giving up hope for the community, but he noted it was not fair to the students to make them wait for better opportunities until the Wellston economic situation improved.
No citizens from the Wellston School District appeared before the state board to object or agree with the proposal. Officials admit it may be difficult to blend the two school communities but predicted it will work out in the long run.
Graylon Brown, Uniserve Director for the Missouri National Education Association warned teachers in Wellston are researching possible legal action. Their contract with the Wellston District expires in June of 2010. The merger takes effect July 1, 2010. Brown said teachers expect to be paid for accumulated sick days although they believe they should be transferred automatically to Normandy with their students.
Wellston lost its accreditation in 2003 and never regained it. Four and a half years ago the state board installed an assistant commissioner of education to serve as superintendent. Charles Brown has made regular reports to the state board as he fought to improve student test scores and reduce a $2.5 million debt.
Supt. Brown and Missouri's new Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro decided limited signs of improvement and the Wellston community's poor economic condition made it necessary to merge Wellston with the neighboring Normandy district. Nicastro praised Brown for his efforts to nearly wipe out the debt (incurred when tuition was paid to send students to other districts because Wellston was unaccredited) and to increase student interest in attending college.
Board member Stan Archie said shutting down Wellston could be seen as a sign the board was giving up hope for the community, but he noted it was not fair to the students to make them wait for better opportunities until the Wellston economic situation improved.
No citizens from the Wellston School District appeared before the state board to object or agree with the proposal. Officials admit it may be difficult to blend the two school communities but predicted it will work out in the long run.
Graylon Brown, Uniserve Director for the Missouri National Education Association warned teachers in Wellston are researching possible legal action. Their contract with the Wellston District expires in June of 2010. The merger takes effect July 1, 2010. Brown said teachers expect to be paid for accumulated sick days although they believe they should be transferred automatically to Normandy with their students.
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