By Antonio D. French
Filed Thursday, November 10 at 8:23 AM
A Letter to the Editor from Helen Louise Herndon
Today's leading editorial in the Post-Dispatch, a scathing criticism of the school district, is somewhat overdue. All along, its editors and commentary page editor refused any articles pointing to some of the serious crimes in the name of reform committed against not only the school district but against the taxpayers who paid a hefty price. Following are a few what ifs.
What if the Post-Dispatch had been more open to some who criticized not for criticism's sake, but for the sake of the children, deserving staff, children, community, and taxpayers? Some of the worst mistakes could have been avoided along with the unnecessary turmoil.
What if the Post-Dispatch had practiced its platform, i.e., "...always oppose privileged classes and public plunderers, never lack sympathy for the poor, always remain devoted to the public welfare...?" Perhaps the scandalous looting of the treasures of a school district and city's history would not have taken place nor prime property and buildings sold for a pittance. Perhaps recently air conditioned schools would not have been closed forcing children and staff into insufferably hot buildings and impeding the learning process.
What if the Post-Dispatch had not blindly considered a slate of four as "blue ribbon members" and recognized the Board members who truly cared for the children, the community, employees, and the district? Is it possible staff morale would not have plummeted? Is it possible children might have continued making progress as was already happening before Roberti took the helm?
What if the Post-Dispatch recognized that the Mayor failed to speak up when the spending of this Board and administration far surpassed any "spending as a drunken sailor" of any previous administration? Could more appropriate and targeted spending have taken place?
What if the Post-Dispatch would have spoken out against the exorbitant salaries handed out in a fiscal and financial crisis? Would the Board have returned to its senses and wisely appropriated monies for salaries? Would it have avoided wastefully paying three superintendents at the same time?
What if the Post-Dispatch had recognized the unfair labor issues for what they were and that undeserving employees lost either just salaries or their livelihoods? Is it possible content and satisfied workers would have given their best to redeem the school district?
These are just a few personal thoughts for what they are worth. The comments do not dismiss the fact that the district was definitely in trouble before all this took place or that unwise decisions had been made and a slow death was in process. These thoughts and comments only address the fact that too much happened that should have never taken place and that it was allowed to go too far.
Genuine reform is never accomplished on the basis of corporate greed, unjust and disrespectful treatment of human resources, theft or on the plundering of treasures that took years to establish.
In the end, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch participated in a great disservice to public school education, public service, and to the children and citizens of the City of St. Louis. What if the Post-Dispatch had remained true to its platform? We may never know.
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