Legislation has been filed in the Missouri Senate that would lay the groundwork for restoring an elected school board for the city of St. Louis.
The city's school district regained provisional accreditation last September, and if it can maintain it for a full year, the bill would then require that a locally elected school board replace the state-appointed board on July 1st, 2014. It’s sponsored by State Senator Jamilah Nasheed (D, St. Louis).
“This is one of my top priorities this session, and I’m gonna do all I can to make this bill a reality by way of getting it to the Governor’s desk,” Nasheed said.
Nasheed also expressed concern that the State Board of Education may be inclined to drag its feet when it comes to restoring an elected board to St. Louis.
“For too long we have had the SAB board," Nasheed said. "(I’m) not saying that they’re doing anything wrong, I’m not saying that they’re not improving the quality of education for those that are in the city of St. Louis, but I believe in democracy -- I truly believe that people should have a right to elect their (school board) members.”
The state took over control of the St. Louis school district six years ago after it was stripped of its accreditation.
Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter: @MarshallGReport
