St. Louis Senator pushes to give power back to elected school board
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St. Louis Senator pushes to give power back to elected school board

Date: January 22, 2013
By: Alexander Mallin
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Six years after being stripped of its power, the St. Louis City elected school board could retake control of its recovering district with legislation introduced in the Missouri Senate.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: 

Actuality:  HAAS.WAV
Run Time:  00:05
Description: "In my opinion, in my humble opinion as we say on text, I am a joke."

That's Bill Haas referring to his duties as a member of the elected board of the St. Louis City School District.

Since 2007 when the district lost accreditation, a board comprised of three state-appointed members has performed the responsibilities previously held by the elected board.

Legislation recently introduced in the Missouri Senate could reinstate the elected board, a move that Haas says represents the democratic interests of the community.

Actuality:  HAAS2.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "You perhaps have more peace in a three-person board but, Mussolini got the trains to run on time and noone wants him back."

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin.

Intro: 
The elected St. Louis City School board has had almost nothing to do for six years, but that could change if State Senator Jamilah Nasheed gets her way.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Nasheed introduced legislation that would replace the current state-appointed board with the cities' elected seven member board.

Actuality:  NASH2.WAV
Run Time:  00:05
Description: "I'm a firm believer that democracy should rule, and that's why I brought forth this bill."

Nasheed says publicly elected officials would represent the views of the people better than those appointed by politicians like the Governor and the St. Louis Mayor.

Those opposed have credited the district turnaround largely to the actions of the state-appointed board, including the appointment of Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams.

Nasheed says upon passage this bill would help set precedent for future schools recovering from loss of accreditation.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin.