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Ferguson-Florissant School Board News:
Ferguson-Florissant School Board
Votes to Establish District-Wide
Early Education & STEAM High School
In an historic move the Ferguson-Florissant School District Board of Education voted last Wednesday night to create opportunities for student success. The vote did not come without protests as the board meeting was packed with parents and community members mostly concerned that Berkeley will be without any public schools under this plan
Superintendent Joseph Davis presented three options for the board’s consideration. These options were the culmination of a multi-year effort to improve learning and achievement for students while increasing fiscal efficiency. “Ferguson-Florissant School District is the birthplace of Parents as Teachers, and we are expanding on that legacy,” stated Davis. “We are focused on strengthening the bookends of a strong foundation in early education and transforming high schools to prepare students for their future success in college and life.”
School Board members Donna Paulette-Thurman and board president Courtney Graves wanted more time for community support and presented a motion to delay the decision. Other board members felt there had been enough discussion and a vote was needed now.
The motion to delay failed. In an emotional decision, the board voted for Option 2.
OPTION 2
- Free, full-day, full-week early education with certified teachers for three and four year-olds in PreK-2nd grade schools.
- 3rd-5th grade schools.
- Two middle school campuses with 6th grade schools to ease the transition to middle school and mitigate barriers to success and provide access to advanced middle school programming at the adjoining 7th-8th grade schools.
- An Innovation School that will provide innovative, transformative options for students to experience success in a non-traditional environment including in career academies, internships, and mentor/instructors.
- Two comprehensive 9-12 high schools at McCluer and McCluer North.
- Transforming McCluer South-Berkeley into a cutting edge STEAM high school.
”As a graduate of the district and a parent, I understand the desire to prepare our children for the best opportunities in life. That’s what
I want for my children too. I am excited that we are acting to create opportunities for our youngest students with free, full day, full week, early education with certified teachers for all three and four year-olds in our community,” emphasized board president Courtney Graves. “As president of the Board of Education I know we have been entrusted to raising the quality of education in our schools while being fiscally responsible stewards of your financial investment as taxpayers.”
The schools that will be closed are Vogt and Airport elementary schools. Mark Twain elementary will be closed or repurposed.
Information on the restructuring process including a timeline for implementation will be available at www.fergflor.org/strong in the coming weeks.
