Judge: State justified in St. Louis school takeover

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A judge rules that the state of Missouri was justified in taking over the long-troubled St. Louis School District.

Cole County Judge Richard Callahan ruled in favor of the state, which last June appointed a special three-person board to oversee the district.

Callahan's ruling was announced Wednesday.

The elected school board filed the suit in an effort to be restored to power. The elected board continues to exist but has no direct say over the district that has suffered for years due to poor academic and financial performance.

The St. Louis district is the largest in Missouri.

No word yet on whether an appeal is planned.