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Press release: State Board of Education Approves Not to Classify Normandy School District

For Immediate Release

June 16, 2014

Contact: Emily Yager, eyager@studentsfirst.org or 816-237-8572

 

State Board of Education Approves Not to Classify Normandy School District 

 

Jefferson City, MO_ The State Board of Education voted to not classify the Normandy School District as unaccredited. It also decided to allow most existing student transfers to continue but not allow more students to transfer to better neighboring districts.

 

“Today the State Board decided to take away the guarantee of better educational opportunities for students trapped in failing schools,” said Kit Crancer, State Director for StudentsFirst Missouri. “Regardless of Normandy’s classification, I urge the State Board and the Department to continue to allow both new and existing transfers, so every child has the opportunity to receive a high-quality education.”

 

Last week, parents of Normandy students invited State Board of Education members to join them at a town hall to discuss the accreditation and future of the Normandy School District. Unfortunately, no Board members attended the meeting.

 

Karol Hyland, a parent from Normandy, added, “Despite the request by myself and fellow Normandy parents, the State Board of Education chose to make decisions about our children’s future without our input. Student transfers are not the perfect solution, but it is the only option for my child.”

 

In May, the Legislature approved Senate Bill 493, currently on Governor Nixon’s desk, which seeks to ease the pressure of transfers on unaccredited districts and help ensure kids have high quality school choice options close to home. Since Senate Bill 493 was first introduced in the Legislature, StudentsFirst Missouri has advocated in support of the bill on behalf of parents, students, educators and community members across the state.

 

About StudentsFirst Missouri:

 

StudentsFirst Missouri is a bipartisan movement of nearly 30,000 parents, teachers, small-business owners and concerned citizens mobilizing for one purpose: to ensure every child attends great schools with great teachers. Since 2012, StudentsFirst Missouri has been fighting to elevate and professionalize the teaching profession, empower parents with school choice and information, and improve the governance and financial strength of schools. For more information, go to www.studentsfirst.org/Missouri

 

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