By Travis Reems
Filed Friday, November 17 at 12:36 PM
The following is by Nick Clement from the most recent SLS Watch e-newsletter:
At the St. Louis School Board administrative meeting Tuesday night, Bob Archibald and Ron Jackson objected to Diana Bourisaw's plans to make a presentation to the Missouri State Education Board on Thursday November 16. They were joined in their opposition by board president Veronica O'Brien.
Bourisaw intended her presentation as a snapshot of the district at present. (You can get a copy of the presentation through the St. Louis Public Schools home page, www.slps.org.) She said it was important to dispel the myths and misconceptions state board members may have and to present factual information about the reality of the district so that the state board could make an objective decision about what actions, if any, to take regarding the St. Louis Public Schools. She also said she hoped her presentation would encourage a dialogue with the state about further improvements to the St. Louis Public Schools. Archibald, Jackson and Mayor Slay have been demanding since July that the state take over the public schools.
Archibald came close to calling Bourisaw a liar, saying he didn't believe parts of the presentation were accurate, such as the balanced budget. Bourisaw referred Archibald to Leonard Westbrook who is a state education employee working closely with district treasurer Enos Moss. Westbrook reports directly to the Danforth Advisory committee about the financial condition of the district. The implication was that if the budget were not accurate, Westbrook, who was in the audience, would have brought it to the attention of the Advisory Commission.
Both Archibald and Jackson protested that they were given no advance notice of the presentation. Bourisaw told me after the meeting that she routinely makes presentations to groups of all kinds (as have all district superintendents) and does not provide notice to board members because it is not an issue of policy. In fact, she was making a presentation to the Clergy Coalition the next day. No one objected to that presentation. She said this is the first time she had ever had board members object to her making a presentation in support of the St. Louis Public Schools.
Bourisaw readily acknowledged that student test scores were not where they need to be, but her presentation included stunning statistics which showed the St. Louis Public Schools were outperforming Charter Schools, and since 2001, SLPS African American students have consistently outperformed their counterparts in county schools on the MAP. For some reason, no one seems to be calling for a state takeover of the charter schools, however.
Archibald's and Jackson's real objections have nothing to do with being notified of Bourisaw's speaking engagements. They object to the superintendent making the case before the State board that the district is stabilizing and improving in spite of 3 years of destruction; and there is support among the stakeholders for Bourisaw and the new school board because of that stability. If the district is improving, then there is no pretext for a state takeover.
8 Comments:
"Archibald, Jackson and Mayor Slay have been demanding since July that the state take over the public schools."
Really? Let's see a link for that assertion.
Friday, November 17, 2006 4:01:00 PM
Why is O'Brien switching sides?
Does she want a state takeover?
Friday, November 17, 2006 4:43:00 PM
Anony #1, here's the link:
http://tinyurl.com/y7qkzw
Friday, November 17, 2006 6:06:00 PM
Thanks, Antonio. That certainly helps kill that School Watch letter.
The link you supplied cites a "rumor" about Slay and Jackson; says that Jackson directly denied asking the state to take over the district; and doesn't mention Archibald at all. No "demands" documented.
Good thing you save all that stuff!
Friday, November 17, 2006 6:57:00 PM
Here's another link: http://tinyurl.com/y5422q
In this one, Jackson admits to pushing for a state takeover.
Friday, November 17, 2006 7:26:00 PM
I commend Mrs.Bourisaw for the job that she is doing,the schools certainly can't be fixed in just 4 months.She seems to be very open and is making change,something that doesnt just happen overnight.She brings a wealth of knowledge to her possition.
I now must say that my support for Veronica has drastically changed due to her wanting to micro manage the supt.This isnt playboy/dumbass Craig W. hidding behind the office door,this lady knows her shit!!!So how do we elect a new president???
Off on another rant:
For KMOX GM Dave Ervin to call on Blunt to take over the schools and give Slay control is CRAZY!(I really wanted to use other words here but I'll keep my profanity to myself)WE HAVE ALLREADY BEEN DOWN THAT ROAD OF FAILURE!!!SLAY IS NOT GOD!!
And to Slay who I'm sure either reads these blogs or someone does for him,CHARTER SCHOOLS are not the cure all,if all city schools became charter schools starting Monday with the same kids that act out,disrupt class,dont show up,dont have homework done,dont care about thier education,would the school system all of the sudden be a great district????TEACHERS EDUCATE,IF CHILDREN DONT WANT TO LEARN,THEN IT'S THE PARENTS FAULT FOR NOT PARENTING....
Saturday, November 18, 2006 12:10:00 PM
Anonymous,
Even IF Archibald, Jackson and the Mayor aren't wanting a state takeover (and nearly everyone who has been following the situation for the last 3 years believes they are). And even IF they hadn't stated as much publicly several times...the fact is that ALL OF THEIR ACTIONS are leading us towards a state takeover.
The point is...even if they don't want a takeover, that is what their actions are leading us to. Whatever their motivation, is irrelevant.
(OBut, of course they want a state takeover)
Saturday, November 18, 2006 12:21:00 PM
"http://tinyurl.com/y5422q"
Played the video linked above. Is the part where Jackson says that he supports a state takeover edited out? Cuz he doesn't say it in that cut.
Also, no Archibald and no Slay.
Saturday, November 18, 2006 11:06:00 PM
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