Legislature Passes Overhaul of School Transfer System
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Legislature Passes Overhaul of School Transfer System

Date: May 15, 2014
By: Brendan Cullerton
State Capitol Bureau
Links: CCS SB 493

Intro: 
Just one day before the end of the state legislative session, the Missouri House passed an overhaul of the state school transfer system 89 to 66
RunTime:  0:48
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The proposal would restrict student transfer out of unaccredited districts by forcing parents to find a way to send their kids to other schools.

Students could have to wait up to 3 years to leave a failed district, and would have more limited options of switching than they do now.

Proponents say the bill will save unaccredited districts from bankruptcy, but opponents like Representative Clem Smith say the plan hurts poor students in those districts.

Actuality:  SMITH1.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: And that's what everybody keeps saying they keep bringing up these poor black kids in Normandy, these poor black kids in the Riverview school district and it's we've got to save them, but this bill doesn't do it."

The bill now moves to Governor Nixon's desk for approval.

Calls to Nixon's office were not immediately returned.

From the state Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton, Newsradio 1120, KMOX.

 

 

Intro: 
Missouri lawmakers put a proposal for a completely revamped school transfer system on Governor Jay Nixon's desk today. KMOX's Brendan Cullerton has more from the Capitol.
RunTime:  0:45
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The proposal to restrict student transfers passed the House with a vote of 89-66.

The bill would put parents in charge of paying for students to transfer out of unaccredited districts instead of the failed districts themselves.

It would also only allow receiving school districts to charge 70 percent of full tuition to the sending district for transfers.

Proponents like Republican Representative David Wood say the switch will save some districts from bankruptcy.

Actuality:  WOOD2.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "If we continue on and let receiving districts charge full tuition we're going to continue to bankrupt these sending districts like Normandy."
 

Opponents of the proposal say the overhaul would hurt students in the unaccredited districts by giving them no alternatives.

From the state Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton, Newsradio 1120, KMOX.