Friday, May 27, 2011 2:59 PM
From:
“Chad Beffa” c.beffa@sbcglobal.net
This is to advise all those who are responsible for charter schools and their applications, that currently the city of St. Louis has fewer than 350,000 inhabitants as determined by the latest official census count. Under current state statute MRS 160.400, charter schools are only allowed to operate in metropolitan districts with greater than 350,000 inhabitants. This was a key provision in the statute, as it was determined this is the necessary population threshold to maintain a viable public school system and avoid financial disarray. This is also the reason the latest charter school bill failed in the Missouri State Legislature, as it was determined that charter schools would financially cripple public school districts , and therefore are not the preferred choice of education in the state of Missouri.
At this time, I would ask for any interested party to cease processing any new charter school applications for the City of St. Louis, and for legal to inquire into the possibility of filing a cease and desist order on currently operating charter schools for the next school year.
In addition, as an elected official , I would ask the Attorney General of the State of Missouri to issue an opinion on the legality of charter school “operations” to temporarily clarify this urgent matter while school is not in session. It seems to me all approved LEAs would default to the Transitional School District of the City of St. Louis and those schools would continue to operate as magnet schools or “pilot schools” under their existing charter, or the charter schools would cease operations if their board or sponsor so chooses.
Respectfully Submitted,
Chad Beffa
Member, St. Louis Board of Education
Census Data- http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/
Missouri Revised Statutes - http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C100-199/1600000400.HTM
Missouri Revised Statutes
Chapter 160
Schools—General Provisions
Section 160.400
August 28, 2010
Charter schools, defined, St. Louis City and Kansas City school districts—sponsors—use of public school buildings—organization of charter schools—affiliations with college or university—criminal background check required.
160.400. 1. A charter school is an independent public school.
2. Charter schools may be operated only in a metropolitan school district or in an urban school district containing most or all of a city with a population greater than three hundred fifty thousand inhabitants and may be sponsored by any of the following:
(1) The school board of the district;
(2) A public four-year college or university with its primary campus in the school district or in a county adjacent to the county in which the district is located, with an approved teacher education program that meets regional or national standards of accreditation;
(3) A community college located in the district; or
(4) Any private four-year college or university located in a city not within a county with an enrollment of at least one thousand students, and with an approved teacher preparation program.
Calendar
June 14, Tuesday, regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, 7 p.m., Carr Lane VPA Middle School, 1004 N. Jefferson, dance studio.
The public is given time to address the BOE at all meetings. To speak, arrive before 7 p.m. and sign the sheet at the rostrum at the front of the room.
June 16, Thursday, regular bi-monthly SAB meeting, 6 p.m., 801 North 11th Street, room 108. The public is given time to address the SAB at all meetings. To speak, arrive before 6 p.m. and sign the sheet at the rostrum at the front of the room on the right.
Please note, The Schools Watch has a new mailing address, P.O. Box 1983, St. Louis, MO 63118. Our email address continues to be SLS_Watch@yahoo.com
Questions for the Watch?
Letters to the Editor?
Stories to contribute? News tips?
Send them to SLS_Watch@yahoo.com
