UPDATE: Mehlville Schools Says It's Reviewing Capacity for Student Transfers

June 10 Update

The Mehlville Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Eric Knost expressed in a statement neither party had any involvement in Riverview Garden School District Board of Education's decision on selecting Mehlville Schools as its district of choice for school transfers. 

The statement said Mehlville School District was officially notified of the decision after the Riverview Gardens Board of Education voted on the matter Tuesday night.

Knost said he has concerns about current capacities at all district buildings, as well as class sizes. 

“We are currently reviewing our educational capacity throughout the district to determine how many transfer students can be accommodated," he said. "In the coming weeks we will work to comply with the law, the Missouri Supreme Court’s ruling and the decision of the Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education in a manner that is in the best interests of all children and families."

State Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, represents the area in which Riverview school students reside and said she was disappointed with the decision for many reasons.

"As those of us familiar with the area know, this district is approximately 20 miles away from the Riverview Gardens area, creating a significant burden on students and their families," she said. "Why the board did not choose one of the many quality schools in the North St. Louis County area is beyond me."

Still, Walsh said it's imperative to create a welcoming environment for the students who will already have a lot with which to deal.

"Regardless of how people feel about the state Supreme Court’s decision, now that the decision has been made, school officials should work to provide the best transition possible for parents and students," she said. "Every child in Missouri has a right to the best education we can provide them."

Riverview Gardens is one of two unaccredited school systems in the area that faces losing students to better performing schools due to a recent Missouri Supreme Court ruling on the Breitenfeld v. Clayton (more commonly known as Turner v. Clayton) case.

That statute allows children in unaccredited districts to attend schools in the same or adjoining counties at no cost to their families. The failing school district must cover the tuition tab, as well as provide transportation to a school district it designates. 

Should parents not want to bus their students that far, they can select a closer school and the unaccredited school district would have to foot-the-bill for tuition. The parent would have to provide transportation.

Original Post

Riverview Gardens School District officials have made a decision on which school it will contract with to take students wishing to leave the unaccredited school district.

They have chosen the Mehlville School District. Riverview will bus students who transfer under a Missouri Supreme Court ruling regarding the state's school transfer statute.

The district's Special Administrative Board selected Mehlville in a closed meeting at Westview Middle School Tuesday.

Riverview Gardens is one of two unaccredited school systems in the area that faces losing students to better performing schools. That statute allows children in unaccredited districts to attend schools in the same or adjoining counties at no cost to their families. The failing school district must cover the tuition tab, as well as provide transportation to at least one selected district.

The Mehlville School District encompasses all or part of the Mehlville, Oakville, Concord and Lemay, according to the district website. The district serves about 11,000 children in its 11 elementary, four middle and two high schools.

For more school news on Mehlville-Oakville Patch, click here.