By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – A group of plaintiffs led by St. Louis radio personality Lizz Brown claims St. Louis schools interim superintendent William Roberti is unqualified to serve as head of the district because he has not met state certification requirements.
Plaintiffs' attorney Donnell Smith says not having an experienced educator leading the district causes "irreparable harm" to students.
"If he's not certified, the expenditure that they (the school board) make to him would have to be replenished by the taxpayers," Smith said. "And I believe that that's irreparable harm."
But the attorney for the school board, Ken Brostron, disagrees:
"First of all, there's educators in every classroom," said Brostron. "All the principals are educators Mr. Fleig and Mr. Crues are both very seasoned educators. So there's a whole bunch of support for educational programs for kids in St. Louis."
Broston referred to David Fleig and Floyd Crues, two veteran district employees who've recently been appointed as assistant superintendents. Circuit Judge Steven R. Ohmer may announce his decision later this week.