Why did the Riverview Gardens School District hire a professional management company?

The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education has been trying to explore all possible solutions to the lack of full accreditation and the possibility of being taken over by the state of Missouri.

One of the many options it pursued to improve student achievement, regain fiscal responsibility, streamline operations, and regain accreditation was to hire a for-profit local company. The company was initially hired to assess and recommend management and academic changes to streamline how the school district operates. After they presented their findings, the firm was hired by the board to implement the recommended academic and management changes. The selection of this firm was done through a fairly transparent process. Federal No Child Left Behind and Misouri Statutes allow a failing school district to hire private firms to help with changes that a school district requires to regain its footing.

Now Mr. Elliot Davis is sniffing around the school district to try to scoop dirt. One of the issues he is focusing on is the hiring of the private firm to shore up academics and management. He thinks the hiring was improper. This couldn't be further from the truth. The board under the able leadership of Rev. Pierson made the right decision. We support them. They did every possible thing in the past and it never worked. What does Mr. Davis and those whose interest he represent expect Rev. Pierson to do? Give up! No way. He and his board made the right decision. We don't care who they hire or what method they use to save the school district! They have to do something to save our children.

We support the decision by Rev. Pierson and his board members 100%. We want the state of Missouri and our elected leaders to know that we stand behind the many hard decisions the board is making to control the situation.

We request Mr. Davis to back off. It was Wellston, then he tried Jennings before parents and other citizens successfully fought back and now it is Riverview Gardens School District. Mr. Davis we intend to fight back at your negative publicity. You want to serve your masters and fatten your pockets by riding on the backs of our children. NO WAY!

Parents of Riverview Gardens School District.