State takeover of Riverview Gardens imminent

BELLEFONTAINE NEIGHBORS, Mo. (AP) -- The state of Missouri is about to take over responsibility for a long-troubled suburban St. Louis school district.

KTVI-TV reports that a three-member special administrative board will be announced Thursday for the Riverview Gardens district. The new board will officially take over on July 1.

State education commissioner Chris Nicastro met with staff and parents on Monday to explain the coming changes.

Riverview Gardens lost accreditation in July 2007.

Because of the state takeover, teachers will lose tenure and all staff will have to be rehired for the coming school year.

The district, with about 6,600 students, has suffered with poor academic performance and budget problems.

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Information from: KTVI-TV, http://www.fox2now.com/