By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Senate Minority Leader Maida Coleman is calling on Governor Matt Blunt to appoint someone from St. Louis to the State Board of Education.
Coleman says the city deserves to be represented on the state Education Board, being home to Missouri's largest public school district:
"Our school district has recently been deemed to be unaccredited, effective June 15th, and that decision was made by the State Board of Education, with no representation from the St. Louis area," Coleman noted.
Earlier this year, Blunt tried to appoint Donayle Whitmore-Smith from St. Louis to the State Education Board, but state law requires that an appointee's State Senator sponsor the nomination. And Senator Jeff Smith of St. Louis refused to sponsor her appointment.
The seat on the board still has not been filled. "This is the last week of session," she added, "and it's unfortunate that the Senate won't have the opportunity to confirm that person."
KWMU contacted the governor's Press office for a response, but so far no one has commented.