A judge in Jefferson City hears six hours of testimony in the elected St. Louis School Board’s challenge of the state’s removal of the Board’s accreditation.

Among the witnesses testifying on behalf of the elected Board was St. Louis Schools Superintendent Diana Bourisaw, who moved into her post shortly before proceedings to take away accreditation began. She would have liked more time to make improvements called for by the state and to get St. Louis schools headed in the right direction.

State Board of Education member and former President Peter Herschend says the facts speak for themselves – the St. Louis School District was failing and action had to be taken to help the kids. He cautions the action that has been taken will not produce an immediate cure to what is ailing the system, saying it’s a lengthy process.

The first day of the challenge heard from the plaintiffs’ witnesses. Proceedings resume a week from Tuesday when the plaintiffs will complete their testimony and the state will have its witnesses testify.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)