Schools
Speak Out: ACLU Lawsuit Angers Mehlville, Oakville Parents
"Where was the ACLU when Riverview Gardens was failing for years?" parents and community members want to know.
An ACLU lawsuit filed against the Mehlville School District over school transfers is leaving Mehlville and Oakville parents and neighbors increasingly frustrated.
The civil liberties organization says the school district can't refuse any of the Riverview Gardens School District students who want to transfer to Mehlville after their district lost accreditation.
"As a taxpayer in the district, I find this absurd," said Dee Magee on Patch's story on the ACLU lawsuit. "We have worked and paid for years to make class sizes reasonable for our children. The ACLU needs to go after the Riverview Gardens district for treating the children unfairly."
From the beginning of the school transfers conversation, Dr. Eric Knost has said class sizes are Mehlville's biggest concern in accepting new students. Classes are already large in the district, and Knost often reiterates to parents and staff that he won't allow the district's educational credentials to slip because of too-large class sizes.
On Facebook, Sarah Palmer Wiszkon commented: "Seriously? The ACLU doesn't understand half the reasons we had to limit our numbers. We welcome with open arms the Riverview Gardens kids that we have room for, but we shouldn't compromise any kid's education (which bigger class sizes have been proven to do.)"
Jennifer Siess Ganser agreed that Mehlville's limits have nothing to do with the district's willingness to welcome new students.
"I love our community's willingness to accept other students in need," she said, referencing student Trey Marlette who told the Mehlville School Board that, "As soon as they walk into the door, they’re Mehlville."
"I truly feel for the Riverview Gardens families in their situation," Ganser said. "I am happy to help and believe we should treat those in need that come through our doors as our own. However, we should not lower the quality education that we can provide by cramming schools beyond capacity."
What do you think about the ACLU lawsuit against Mehlville School District?
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
