REGENTS PUT MORATORIUM ON CHARTER SCHOOLS

Southeast Missouri State University's Board of Regents Tuesday rejected a proposed charter school application without even reviewing it and declared a moratorium on future applications.

In other business, the regents agreed to lease a 46-year-old Catholic library in Perryville, Mo., for use as a higher education center.

The regents rejected the application of Walnut Park Academy Association, which wants to open a charter school in St. Louis.

"It is no reflection on this application at all," said Don Dickerson, president of the Board of Regents.

He and other board members said they wanted to see how things proceed with two other St. Louis charter schools approved by the board before considering any future applications.

The Lift for Life Academy, a middle school, opened its doors this fall. The Garden School, an elementary and middle school, plans to open next fall near the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Charter schools are public schools that operate independently of established school districts or school boards. State law only allows charter schools in the Kansas City and St. Louis school districts.

The regents approved the Garden School application late last month after a university committee reviewed the plan.

But in approving the Garden School application, the regents said they likely wouldn't approve any more in the immediate future.

Leasing St. Mary's library

As to the higher education center project, the regents agreed to lease the library at St. Mary's of the Barrens, renovate it and offer college classes.

The building is owned by the Congregation of the Mission, a Catholic organization based in the St. Louis area.

University officials said the lease is for 50 years, but can be terminated by either party after 10 years. The university will pay $1 a year to lease the building. The lease could be extended for another 50 years at the end of the current agreement, Southeast officials said.

The agreement requires the Congregation of the Mission to move its books and art objects out of the library by Feb. 1 so the university can renovate the building for classroom use.

Southeast wants to begin holding classes in the building next fall. It would replace the smaller education center at Sereno, Mo., which is housed in a former grade school five miles east of Perryville on Highway 51.