From the elected school board of SLPS:

Peter Downs, President of the St. Louis Board of Education, today expressed disappointment that Cole County Circuit Court Judge Richard Callahan upheld the State’s takeover of St. Louis Public Schools.

“We were all aware that Judge Callahan had a record of ruling against education for children in Missouri, but it was still hard not to hope that this time would be different,” Downs said. “So, although this ruling was expected, it is still disappointing. This was never about us as board members, this was about fighting for better schools for city children.”

Noting that most of the members of the present board were elected on promises to stop the demolition of public education that began in 2003, Downs said the state board of education took control of the district to continue the process of demolition.

“The reports from the state board of education, and the comments of top Republicans like Rod Jetton, made very clear that their chief goals for St. Louis were to close schools and cut spending for they wanted cheaper education, not better education. The state-appointed board’s proposed school closings show that they are following that mandate,” he said.

“In the coming weeks, we have to decide what are our best strategies for blocking continued cuts and fighting for quality education,” he added.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which includes individuals and the St. Louis Board of Education, have 30 days in which to decide if they want to appeal the decision. Downs said he expects the school board will decide at its meeting on February 12 whether it will join an appeal of Callahan’s decision. That meeting will be at Carr Lane Middle School, 1004 N. Jefferson Ave.