State wants to merge troubled district

WELLSTON, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro will recommend that the state Board of Education shut down the Wellston School District in St. Louis County and merge it into the neighboring Normandy district.

Nicastro made the announcement on Monday during a meeting in Wellston, and will make a formal recommendation Thursday.

Nicastro says the state is unhappy with student performance in Wellston, which has just 500 students and only four schools. The district has been under state control for five years.

But some parents told KSDK-TV that they don't believe the Normandy district is any better.

The contracts of Wellston teachers, administrators and staff would expire on June 30. They could apply for any openings in the Normandy district.

___

Information from: KSDK-TV, http://www.ksdk.com