Mo. Senate Committee slashes governor's recommendation to keep Normandy open

The committee unanimously endorsed the bill, sponsored by Rep. Rick Stream, R-Kirkwood, this afternoon. Last week, the House passed a supplement to the current year's budget providing Normandy $5 million to complete the year. 

It now appears that Normandy needs less: nearly $350,000 and a possible $1.1 million in tuition payments to other districts.

Without the assistance, Normandy likely 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.

Lawmakers have previously voiced their wariness about offering up money 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.

If any of the $1.5 million were not used by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, it would lapse.

(House Bill 2014)