A regional task force has begun examining whether some North St. Louis County school districts should merge as declining enrollment reshapes public education across the area.
The discussion was prompted in part by Normandy Schools Collaborative, which could lose its provisional accreditation when the Missouri State Board of Education reviews district performance next year. Education leaders say Normandy’s struggles reflect challenges affecting districts throughout the region.
The St. Louis Region Future of Public Education Task Force includes school leaders, elected officials, educators and community representatives. Former Missouri Board of Education member Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge chairs the group, with Riverview Gardens Superintendent Tanya Patton and Beyond Housing CEO Chris Krehmeyer serving as vice chairs.
Rather than focus on a single solution, the task force plans to evaluate four possibilities: leaving Normandy independent, assigning its students to neighboring districts, gradually consolidating smaller districts or creating a new regional school system.
The task force expects to present recommendations later this year. Any district consolidation would require approval from local school boards.