Board of Education Pulls the Plug on Wellston School District

The State Board of Education has voted to effectively dissolve an underperforming school district. The Wellston School District in St. Louis County has been unaccredited since 2003. And, the State Board of Education has voted to keep the District unaccredited, meaning that by month’s end it will cease to exist in its current form with its current adminstration. Education Commissioner Kent King says the Superintendent and other officials are out. Among the concerns of State Board members: Low performance results on state tests and questionable increases posted by some students on some of those tests, leading to allegations of cheating. Superintendent Ronald Stodghill denies any cheating went on, adding he wasn’t surprised by the outcome of the vote. The Board will meet again next week to formally decide on a plan of action. It’s expected that an executive administrative board will be appointed to take control of the district and its assets.