On the heels of an appointed board taking control of St. Louis Public Schools, another St. Louis area school district is unaccredited by the State Board of Education. The Riverview Gardens School District, in St. Louis County, has been declining for a long period of time – both academically and financially – and the state was expected to step in. It has, with the district formally stripped of its accreditation within the next two weeks.

Education Commissioner Kent King says the decision to unaccredit the district was an easy one based on the poor performance. There are approximately 8,000 students enrolled in the Riverview Gardens District.

Newly appointed supervisors will now work with school officials in the district to determine ways of restoring Riverview Gardens to a school district that is both academically and financially sound. There is a two year period during which improvements must be made or there would be a state takeover of the district.

In the interim, parents of students in the Riverview Gardens district will be allowed to transfer their children to any other district that will accept the kids.

Download/Listen: Education Commissioner Kent King (:22 MP3)