CONFERENCES FOCUS ON NEW SCHOOL-REFORM LAW

NEW MADRID -- During September and October, state education officials will conduct 10 town hall meetings across the state as a forum for citizens and educators to learn more about the Outstanding Schools Act, the sweeping school-reform law enacted this spring.

The meetings, sponsored by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education begin this week at Mountain Grove High School and continue through late October.

A meeting is planned Oct. 27 at Central High School in New Madrid from 2-5 p.m.

The Outstanding Schools Act, which took effect Aug. 28, includes a new funding formula for public schools and numerous changes in state requirements that will be implemented gradually over the next four years.