State Board committed to schools in Normandy

The State Board voted today to lapse the unaccredited Normandy School District and replace it with a new local education agency and new governing board. The move keeps local schools operating in the district’s footprint under new leadership. The Department recommended the move based on significant community input and on a report from the Normandy Transition Task Force, which was established in March 2014 to develop a plan for the future of the district.

“We are most concerned with the 4,000 children in Normandy – making sure they receive high quality education,” said Board President Peter Herschend. “This is the only feasible way to have schools operating in the district next year.”

Board members have indicated that they will insist on significant academic improvements within the district. "Business as usual will not get the job done," said President Herschend. The State Board will retain authority over the new board to ensure positive results.

At numerous meetings with parents, educators and students, the community urged the Department and State Board to keep Normandy schools open and serving children. The Board believes lapsing the district and creating a new entity will allow for significant change in the educational experience offered to children.

The Board voted today to:

• Lapse the Normandy School District effective June 30, 2014. All existing contracts with personnel and others will be terminated effective June 30, 2014.
• Create the Normandy Schools Collaborative as a new local education agency, encompassing the Normandy School District footprint effective July 1, 2014. 
• Appoint a Joint Executive Governing Board (JEGB) to govern the Collaborative effective July 1, 2014, replacing the current elected board.

The next steps for the Department include working closely with the Normandy superintendent and others to develop a calendar, schedule, budget and staffing plan for the 2014-2015 school year.

The Board plans to address a number of additional issues at its June meeting.

The Normandy School District was classified as unaccredited on Jan. 1, 2013. 

###

Additional information:

• Normandy Task Force Recommendations
• State Board of Education Resolution
• Commissioner's Statement and Recommendations