Members of the St. Louis Fire Department held a press conference this morning to announce their participation in a lawsuit related to the Outstanding Schools Act. Under this law, passed in 1993 by the Missouri General Assembly and the late Governor Mel Carnahan, students in unaccredited school districts may transfer to accredited districts, at the cost of the failing district. The lawsuit would sue districts for failing to comply with the Outstanding Schools Act.

The St. Louis Public Schools have been unaccredited since 2007. Tim Belz, attorney for the plaintiffs, explained that the St. Louis firefighters’ residency requirements limit their families’ educational options. “Firefighters must live in the City of St. Louis for the duration of their careers,” Belz said. “These men and women provide the highest level of service and selflessness. They deserve our gratitude, but what they get are sleepless nights and financial strain trying to provide a quality education for their children. The Outstanding Schools Act is a crystal-clear law, yet suburban school districts refuse to comply.”

Plaintiff Shawn Ryan worries about educational stability for his eleven-year-old daughter. “We want the certainty that a clear educational path provides,” Ryan said. “We don’t want the future to be unpredictable when it comes to our daughter’s education.”

Captain Mike Fitzgerald, a member of Local 73, agrees. “My wife and I have two young daughters and are expecting our third child any day now. We’re trying to figure out what to do about school, and we’re worried the cost will be more than we can afford. We’ve already made sacrifices, and I’ve seen the men and women in my crew make sacrifices, too. This is tough on everyone.”

The lawsuit has been filed in St. Louis City and a trial date will be announced shortly.

Related Posts

1 Comment for St. Louis Firefighters Announce Lawsuit to Enforce Outstanding Schools Act