Ferguson-Florissant Approves School Closings

HAZELWOOD, Mo. (KMOX) - A plan to close some buildings in the Ferguson-Florissant School District isn't going over so well with some parents and community leaders.

Several attended Wednesday night's board meeting and asked school board members to delay making a decision on restructuring. They want to see more numbers on cost-savings, and some hated to hear that Berkeley would no longer have a public school (Berkeley Mayor Theodore Hoskins said at Wednesday's meeting that with any of three options considered, his town wouldn't have any schools left. A district spokesman tells KMOX News that is incorrect. Kevin Hampton says two schools would remain - Holman and Berkeley.)  

The board went ahead and approved the changes, by a 4-2 vote.

District Superintendent Dr. Joseph Davis says in a release, "Ferguson-Florissant is the birthplace of Parents as Teachers, and we are expanding on that legacy. 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."

McCluer South-Berkeley High School would become a STEAM Academy - with emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Design, and Math.

Vogt, Airport, and Mark Twain schools would close or be re-purposed.

The district wants to create a free, full-day early education program for three and four-year-olds.

No timeline was given as to when the changes might occur.