By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
Jefferson City, Mo. – The Missouri Board of Education today voted to merge the Wellston School District in St. Louis County with the larger nearby Normandy School District.
The Wellston District lost state accreditation in 2003. And despite recent improvements in graduation rates, state officials say the district has continued to struggle academically and financially.
Wellston Superintendent Charles Brown says the merger will be good for both districts, and that Wellston students will contribute greatly to their new schools.
"These seeds that have been planted are going to crop up in Normandy as, I think, beautiful flowers, and we'll see then that this was the best decision," Brown said.
The Reverend Stan Archie of Kansas City sits on the State Board of Education. He says the decision wasn't easy.
"It can be perceived as giving up hope on a community, but I think that if we look at it closely, this offers a bridge to a different kind of hope...I think these children don't deserve to have to wait until things come around and economics get to a different place," Archie said.
The Wellston School District will officially cease operations after the current school year ends.