Lawmakers discuss "intervention" for struggling schools
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Lawmakers discuss "intervention" for struggling schools

Date: January 29, 2014
By: Hanna Battah
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Lawmakers discussed a plan Wednesday some think would be the answer for nearly-bankrupt unaccredited schools.
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Wrap: Riverview Gardens and Normandy districts pay for the tuition and transportation of about 2,000 students who do not attend school within the district.

Republican Senator David Pearce sponsors a measure that could save these districts from going bankrupt by forming a statewide "achievement school district" to oversee under-performing schools.  

Democratic Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal says she fears state level jurisdiction over school districts. 

She says her St. Louis constituents do not want people in Jefferson City controlling their tax dollars.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Hanna Battah. 

Intro: 
A measure proposed by Missouri lawmakers would strip some local school districts of their authority. 
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Wrap: A statewide district would have jurisdiction over unaccredited school districts if the legislature passes a measure proposed by Republican Senator David Pearce from Western Missouri.

Pearce's plan also requires parent's or guardians of students to prove they have resided at least a year in an unaccredited school district before transferral's.

About 2,000 students have left the unaccredited Normandy and Riverview Gardens districts in St. Louis County.

Current law forces unaccredited school districts pay for students' expenses if they transfer to an accredited school in the same or bordering district.

Pearce says his plan could save those districts from going bankrupt.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Hanna Battah.