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Missouri Legislator Calls For School Board Changes

By Joel Hardy

02/20/2015

(KAIR)--A Missouri state legislator has called for new rules to be put in place for school boards in the state, following the alleged misuse of funds by the St. Joseph School District.

According to KQ2-TV, State Senator Rob Schaaf introduced a bill Thursday that would eliminate signatures that are needed for someone to run for the board, would reduce the term length for board members from six to three years and provide for a recall process. The bill also outlines the process for filling a vacancy on the board. Instead of other board members voting on a replacement, an independent agency, such as a county commission would make an appointment.

Schaaf says that it is critical to get this problem fixed because the public really needs to have confidence in its school board to be financial responsible, so kids can receive the best education possible.

In a report released Tuesday, a state auditor gave the district a poor rating, saying they spent a “staggering” amount of money on unauthorized stipends for administrators. The audit also found that the district promoted some employees without proper degrees, used school funds for unreasonable purchases, held improper closed meetings, and mismanaged bond investments.