Missouri House endorses $5 million for Normandy

The $5 million to keep Normandy's doors open was part of House Bill 2014, a supplement to the current year's budget.

Without the $5 million, Normandy would run out of money by April and its students would be sent to other districts. Normandy has about 3,000 students and 1,000 more who decided to transfer.

Normandy was financially solvent and stable prior to last summer’s state Supreme Court ruling that upheld the transfer law, which allows children in unaccredited school districts to transfer to better schools at their home district's expense. But the resulting $1.3 million in monthly tuition and transportation expenses has the district spending down its savings, potentially leaving it unable to meet payroll expenses by April.

Through the bill, the $5 million would be distributed through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Lawmakers have previously voiced their wariness about offering up $5 million to keep Normandy's doors open, because it would set a precedent.

Last month, the members of the Missouri Board of Education voted unanimously to take financial control of the district to assure lawmakers that any appropriation would be judiciously spent.

The bill needs one more vote in the House.

(House Bill 2014)