REGENTS TO DISCUSS CHARTER SCHOOL

Southeast Missouri State University's Board of Regents today will discuss its options regarding a proposed charter school in St. Louis that has been unable to find a suitable building or financing.

The regents in September approved a five-year charter to a St. Louis neighborhood group to operate an elementary and middle school near the Missouri Botanical Garden. Approval hinged on the group's ability to find an acceptable building and get its financing in order.

University officials had expected the new school to open this fall. But with no building and no financing in place, the school won't be opening this fall. Don Dickerson, president of the board of regents, said the board plans to discuss its options in regards to the charter school.

Dickerson said the regents aren't looking to revoke the charter, one of only two granted by the board last year.

But Dickerson said the neighborhood group that wants the school needs to provide concrete plans. "They are going to have to come back to us and let us know within some reasonable time frame as to whether or not they will be in a position to go next fall," he said.

The regents will meet at 3:30 p.m. in the University Center Board of Regents Room.

In other business, the regents are expected to approve the sale of bonds for the planned construction of a new residence hall on Henderson Avenue. Today's action is a formality. The regents previously approved the financing plan.