St. Louis Public School Board Lifts Deed Restrictions on Charter Schools

Coverage from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Charter schools will now — at least in theory — be able to buy shuttered St. Louis Public School buildings.

The St. Louis Public School Board voted last night to lift the deed restriction that barred charter groups from buying the former city schools.

District CEO Rick Sullivan said that the board simply bent to legislative pressure.

“The legislature felt very strongly that the provision was unfair or not appropriate,” he said. “We worked with legislative leaders to reach an understanding that I think is good for all parties.”

The ban had angered charter leaders searching for homes for their new schools, as well as dozens of state politicians tired of seeing the old buildings sit unattended in their districts, drawing crime and vandalism. (See prior coverage HERE.)

Word began to leak out at last night’s meeting that board members, in closed session, had voted to lift the ban. St. Louis Public wouldn’t confirm the news, but charter supporters began whispering.

Then, this morning, St. Louis Public made the news official.

State Rep. T.D. El-Amin, a Democrat who represents much of north St. Louis, said so many people were leaning on the board, it was just a matter of time. “We knew it was a levy bound to break,” he said.

Charter school advocates began celebrating early.

“This is a win for families in St. Louis who are seeking better education options for their children and for all of the taxpayers in the city who paid for these buildings,” said Earl Simms, state coordinator for the Children’s Education Alliance of Missouri, a charter advocacy organization. “These buildings can now be sold to organizations seeking to open public charter schools. That not only gives more education options to parents, but the sale of these buildings will also provide more dollars to educate the district’s students.”

Others said the decision will help charter schools open more quickly.

“Charter schools often find alternative facilities to serve students - empty commercial space or other buildings constructed for purposes other than education,” Aaron North, director of the state charter school association, said this morning. “Making unused public school buildings available for purchase or lease will provide new and existing charter schools with more options to best serve the students and families in their charge.”

Still, the practical implications of the board’s decision are unclear.

The move doesn’t require the district to sell to charters, just to consider their offers.

Lastest Deed Restriction Video

The Children’s Education Council of Missouri released a new video today once again highlighting the St. Louis Public Schools’ policy of restricting the sale of closed buildings. The restrictions do not allow purchasers of the buildings to reopen them as public charter schools. This video details the genesis of the issue going into Thursday’s SAB meeting.

I would like to ask you to forward the video on to others that you think may be interested in the issue. Let's make change happen!

Sinquefield/Shock Sue to Lift Deed Restriction

Today, Rex Sinquefield and W. Bevis Schock filed a lawsuit against the St. Louis deed restriction in the Missouri District Court.

"These deed restrictions do nothing to help the poor and undeserved children of the City of Saint Louis," Sinquefield said. "In addition to denying young people an important educational opportunity, they contribute to the economic instability of our neighborhoods and create a dangerous situation for families. Clearly, this decision by the SAB is short-sided, and they should completely rescind this egregious disregard for Saint Louis children and the taxpayers who paid for these structures."

Since finding a building is often the hardest part, the current restriction is a blatant attack on charter schools. Unfortunately the victims are our children and our community.

Sinquefield, Schock sue St. Louis Public Schools to lift building sales deed restrictions (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

New Deed Restriction Video

Lawmakers speak out against policy that restricts sale of abandoned school buildings. House bill 1040 would prohibit deed restrictions on public property being sold to another public entity. This would remove the St. Louis Public School's deed restrictions on closed buildings and allow the buildings to be purchased by charter schools.

"School buildings belong to the community."

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan stated in an interview with the Washington Post:

"School buildings don't belong to us. They don't belong to the unions. School buildings belong to the community."

The statement is extremely relevant to the St. Louis Public School deed restriction issue. The public school board and unions need to listen to the outcries of the community.

The current deed restriction is ethically, economically and logically absurd! And those living in the areas with closed/closing schools and even the U.S. Education Secretary publicly agree.

BAEO Battles Deed Restrictions at the State Board Meeting

The the Black Alliance for Educational Options (Missouri Chapter) battles the St. Louis Public School's deed restrictions at the State Board of Education meeting on February 20, 2009.

"These school buildings were built for education, and we want to see these vacant buildings do wonderful things in our community. Once they are open, they will become an anchor, particularly in the black community."

Even More Against the Deed Restriction

The community opposition grows against the SLPS deed restrication.
The American Association of Architects (St. Louis Chapter) and the Landmarks Association of St. Louis have joined the fight for our children's education.

Basically, charter schools are currently banned from acquiring any of closing or already empty school properties in the St. Louis School District. Our children or the community were clearly not considered in this ridiculous policy by the Special Administrative Board. Why wouldn't school buildings be allowed to be schools?! No one, including the appointed administration, has an answer.

But for answers to your questions on the issue check out the Children's Education Alliance of Missouri (CEAM) video.

More Deed Restriction Coverage

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch caught wind of the ridiculous deed restriction clause that stops charter schools from buying closed public school buildings.

Approximately 29 more buildings are supposed to close. There are currently six properties on the market in St. Louis city and 15 others that have been closed and abandoned.

A former school building could be purchased fairly for between $800,000 and $1.5 million, compared to converting a nonschool building, which would cost $2 million to $6 million! This money could be better spent on our children instead.

Community outrage continues to grow. "You losing all these schools," said Lamarr Paige, 38, a father of six. "And all the buildings just sitting there, just sitting there!"

Resolutions has been proposed in Jefferson City and board members have stated that the subject will likely be revisited.

Charter schools ARE public schools, allowing MORE children a BETTER education CLOSE to home.

SLPS Deed Restriction

Outrageous!!

The Children's Education Alliance of Missouri webpage

Missouri Political News Service Coverage