Missouri legislators leaning toward funding failing school districts

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Intro:	A Republican representative wants to pump millions of dollars into failing schools in the St. Louis area.
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Wrap: Representative Lyle Rowland from southwest Missouri says the state needs to keep failing school districts from going bankrupt.

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Description: "I know people say that you could throw all the money you wanted to into a failing district and probably not see any results, and I kinda disagree with that."

This comes after the state board said the Normandy district nearly 7 million in funding to stay afloat.

But Francis Howell Superintendent Pam Sloan says she would only support extra funding if spending was monitored.

Francis Howell and Mehlville are the only two districts taking transfer students from Normandy and Riverview Gardens.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christina Turner.

Intro:	A bailout for failing schools in St. Louis County won support from key Republican members of the House Education Committee.
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Wrap: Republican House Budget Chair Rick Stream says he's confident his fellow lawmakers will supply state aid for the Normandy and Riverview Gardens school districts.

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Description: "I'm cautiously optimistic we're gonna pass the bill the next session. We hope to do it early in the session, January or February, get it on the governor's desk with an emergency clause so he can sign it."

This comes after the state board asked for nearly 7 million dollars to keep Normandy schools from going bankrupt.

But Francis Howell's school board president Marty Hodits says money is just a band-aid over the real problem.

He says the state needs to step in earlier to help provisional and unaccredited school districts gain and maintain accreditation.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christina Turner.

Intro:	A bailout for failing school districts in St. Louis County won support from key Republican members of the House Education Committee.
RunTime:	0:40
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: House Budget Chair Rick Stream and House Education Vice-Chair Lyle Rowland say the state needs to keep the Normandy and Riverview Gardens school districts from going bankrupt.

But Francis Howell School Board President Marty Hodits says money is just a band aid over the real problem.

Actuality:	HOBBITS1.WAV
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Description: "The state of Missouri has not stepped in early enough to help provisional and unaccredited districts in the state to achieve accreditation and maintain their accreditation."

The state school board is seeking almost 7 million dollars to keep Normandy's schools open this academic year.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christina Turner.