Normandy School District Superintendent Dr. Stanton E. Lawrence
May 27, 2010 - In the library of the Lucas Crossing Elementary Complex, Dr. Stanton E. Lawrence held a press conference at which he laid out the hard truth of the school district's current condition. "Normandy is currently on a course for unaccredited status," Dr. Lawrence stated as he provided a power-point presentation to highlight his points.
Normandy's Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) data showed that in mathematics and communication arts, the district's percentage of student scoring in the top two performance levels is over 40 percent below the state average. In MAP index points, Normandy School District is 3rd from the bottom of schools throughout St. Louis County. Only Wellston and Riverview Gardens are lower. Wellston has now been merged with Normandy and Riverview is unaccredited and will be under the control of a State Appointed Board (SAB) in 2010-2011.
Dr. Lawrence laid out an extraordinary plan to turn the district around over the next several years. "Dr. Chris Wright, Missouri State Education Commissioner, made it clear to me and our Board of Education that continuity is the key to turning this condition around," said Dr. Lawrence. "She was at Riverview Gardens for seven years when that district was stabilized." Dr. Lawrence stated to the press over a year ago that he intended to serve Normandy for the long haul.
His plans for turn around include some serious innovations, such as a 9th grade academy on the high school campus. The boys and girls of that academy will have the core classes: communication arts, math and science, separate from one another. There would be a Net Book Computer provided for every 9th grader. "We hope to carry this over to the sophomore, junior and senior classes in the coming years as well," said Dr. Lawrence. The superintendent has also made campus leadership changes at 8 of 11 schools in the district. These, as well as a number of other changes and an aggressive plan for improvement are why Dr. Wright felt that Wellston's (unaccredited district) merger with Normandy (provisionally accredited) is not as great a concern as many might perceive.
Concerns of District Dwellers
Normandy School Board President Cozy W. Marks III
As a Normandy alumnus and a homeowner in the district, I wondered how long each of the three panelists, Superintendent Dr. Stanton E. Lawrence, Board President Cozy W. Marks III and Board Vice President Joyce McRath had served the district. Dr. Lawrence has been in the district for 2 years, V.P. McRath for 1 year and Mr. Marks has served for 13 years. My concern, and a serious concern of other homeowners, is the longevity of those who have overseen the downard spiral of the district. Cozy Marks and Mr. Edward James have served for 13 and 14 years respectively. This means that under their watch, the district has fallen steadily towards its current course of being unaccredited. These gentlemen held seats as the district saw a change of three superintendents over the past 1/2 decade. I've always been puzzled by anyone's willingness to remain in a position of service when in the course of their oversight grave conditions prevailed.
As the administration of Normandy School District implement major changes to put the district on a course of vast improvement, homeowners may want to consider what can be done to aid in that effort.
Normandy School Board Vice President Joyce McRath
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Normandy School Board President Cozy W. Marks III
As a Normandy alumnus and a homeowner in the district, I wondered how long each of the three panelists, Superintendent Dr. Stanton E. Lawrence, Board President Cozy W. Marks III and Board Vice President Joyce McRath had served the district. Dr. Lawrence has been in the district for 2 years, V.P. McRath for 1 year and Mr. Marks has served for 13 years. My concern, and a serious concern of other homeowners, is the longevity of those who have overseen the downard spiral of the district. Cozy Marks and Mr. Edward James have served for 13 and 14 years respectively. This means that under their watch, the district has fallen steadily towards its current course of being unaccredited. These gentlemen held seats as the district saw a change of three superintendents over the past 1/2 decade. I've always been puzzled by anyone's willingness to remain in a position of service when in the course of their oversight grave conditions prevailed.
As the administration of Normandy School District implement major changes to put the district on a course of vast improvement, homeowners may want to consider what can be done to aid in that effort.
Normandy School Board Vice President Joyce McRath
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Normandy School Board Vice President Joyce McRath
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