Mo. lawmakers propose legislation to improve state's public schools system

See Related Stories

Intro:	Missouri schools desegregated over thirty years ago. Now some worry legislation could segregate schools again.
RunTime:	0:49
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: St. Louis County Representative Michele Kratky says her bill allows the St. Louis school district to consider creating four sub-districts as a means of improving the schools.

Steve Carroll, a lobbyist for St. Louis Public Schools Special Administrative Board, says the board will not be exploring the proposal because it could revert the state back to a segregated school system.

Actuality:	CAR.WAV
Run Time:	00:19
Description: "It would be major for the St. Louis public schools just based on the history and the long standing lawsuit for the past 27 years. And how you would go back and try to divide up the district, I'm not sure how you would get there without more litigation and going back into the federal courts."

Kratky says while this may not work, it is a an option for the city to explore.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.

Intro:	One Missouri lawmaker considers splitting up the St. Louis school district.
RunTime:	0:41
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The bill's sponsor, St. Louis County Representative Michele Kratky, says the legislation would let a special school board explore considering the idea of sub dividing St. Louis public schools into four districts.

She says this would bring back neighborhood schools into communities.

Mary Armstrong, the president of a St. Louis teacher's union, says the division would come with a large cost.

Actuality:	EDU.WAV
Run Time:	00:07
Description: "When you start talking about having four school dsitricts, I don't see how you could feasibly do it unless you have more high schools."

Kratky later clarified that there would still be one district, but it would be split up into sub districts to create pressure for improved education.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.

Intro:	Research shows that more time in school results in better performance. One Missouri lawmaker considers this while attempting to improve Missouri's education.
RunTime:	0:47
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The bill's sponsor, Democratic St. Louis County Representative Margo McNeil, says the legislation would create a fund to extend the school year for Missouri provisional and unaccredited schools.

McNeil says this would help students learn at a slower pace without making any students feel like there is a learning gap.

Republican St. Peters Representative Douglas Funderburk says he doesn't see how the program would fix the entire problem.

Actuality:	EDFUN.WAV
Run Time:	00:12
Description: "Some of their biggest problems have nothing to do with what happens inside the four walls in building that they teach. It has more, It reflects more the issues they deal with in their community that I contend falls far outisde of the scope of education."

McNeil says if every district participated in the program, it could cost the state nearly 200 million dollars.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.

Intro:	Students across Missouri could see a longer school year if legislation passes.
RunTime:	0:47
OutCue:	SOC

Republican Springfield Representative Eric Burlison says he doesn't think quote throwing money at the problem will help the situation.

Actuality:	EDBUR1.WAV
Run Time:	00:13
Description: "Why should we take state dollars and put it towards the very school districts that are producing the worst results that we are sending them now?"

McNeil says if every district participated in the program, it could cost the state nearly 200 million dollars.

She says some of those dollars could come from donations or current summer school funds.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.