The fate of my sons and hundreds of other children is in the hands of the Missouri State Board of Education. I urge the Board to ensure my twin boys graduate from the only high school they’ve ever known.

In 2013, my  wife and I transferred our twin boys to the neighboring Parkway School District because we believed it was the responsible thing to do after our home district, Riverview Gardens, lost its accreditation due to low academic performance.

We did the best for our children and transferred them to the Parkway School District where they are about to complete their junior year.

Parkway’s high academic standards have truly brought out the best in them both and they have totally embraced Parkway West High as their school. They have met many wonderful friends and families. Our sons are fully engaged in their school activities on many levels. They are members of the track and football teams, along with many other school organizations. They have received numerous acknowledgments for academic achievement including honor roll, Spirit of Excellence Awards, The National Student Leadership Conference and Missouri Boys State, which is comparable to the National Honor Society.

They are considered by their peers (and consider themselves) as part of the Parkway family. Their teachers and counselors have nothing but great things to say about them. This is the only high school they have ever known and they love it. They couldn't imagine graduating from any other high school.

Parkway is one of the best school districts in the state of Missouri. They are currently ranked 5th out of the 520 Missouri school districts, while Riverview has the lowest math and reading scores in the state.

The Missouri State Board of Education is now in the position to do the right thing by allowing families like mine to stay transferred in their high performing districts. Our district accreditation process is complicated, but small, and some would even argue insignificant, improvements shouldn't suddenly qualify any district to be considered for reaccreditation.

Calling a failing district accredited will not help the children who transferred NOR the children who remain there. In fact, it would be detrimental and immoral to force the transfer students to return to a district, as previously stated, with the LOWEST academics in the state!

On behalf of my sons and hundreds of other children and families facing this monumental situation, I ask you to join me in urging the Missouri State Board of Education to make the right decision for the children by putting them first.