By Antonio D. French
Filed Friday, July 14 at 4:47 PM
School Board President Veronica O'Brien has called a special emergency board meeting for 6:30 tonight. No word on the agenda, but some speculate that this could mean the end of Superintendent Creg Williams' time in SLPS.
Developing...
UPDATE: Dr. Creg Williams' time as the superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools is over. It is not clear yet if the school board fired Williams or, in the face of a 4-3 vote, he resigned. What is clear is that the school board is as divided as ever and calls are increasing for the state to take over.
After the closed meeting vote, board member Bob Archibald was the first to emerge. He blasted the board majority for letting Williams go. He told reporters that he thinks the state should come in and take over SLPS. [See video later]
Still Developing...
UPDATE 2: SLPS is now headed by Dr. Diana Bourisaw, who was hired by the Board just a couple of weeks ago as an internal auditor.
52 Comments:
If the board members are trying to motivate people to petition DESE to take over the district, firing Williams with no opportunity for public comment is an excellent way to do it.
They are behaving just as arrogantly as Schoemehl, Archibald, Clinkscale and Jackson.
I had voted for Downs, Jones, Purdy and Obrien.
Friday, July 14, 2006 4:51:00 PM
reparation, you said it best. Anonymous #1, these are conscientious men and women. They wouldn't do anything radical unless the circumstances or infractions called for it. The "boyfriends" have been operating in an arrogant and blase manner.
Someone said some parents are calling in with basketball players ready to testify to abuses commonly reserved for priests by former altar boys. Scandal, corruption, and disgrace has run amok in this school district and it is time parents and men and women of character take control. Hip hip hooray for O'Brien, Purdy, Jones, and Downs!
Friday, July 14, 2006 5:45:00 PM
I do not know what the purpose of tonight's meeting is, but based on some conversations I rest assured that President O'Brien has a plan, that it is well thought out, and that it will be well received by the students, parents, and residents of the City. We are headed in the right direction.
Friday, July 14, 2006 6:03:00 PM
PEOPLE GET READY THERE'S A TRAIN A COMIN'
YOU DON'T NEED NO BAGGAGE, JUST GET ON BOARD -
ALL YOU NEED IS FAITH TO HEAR THE DIESELS HUMMIN' -
YOU DON'T NEED NO TICKET YOU JUST THANK THE LORD
Friday, July 14, 2006 6:57:00 PM
Has anybody investigated the circumstances under Dr. Bourisaw's dismissal from the Fox district? I remember it being in the news at the time but do not remember the reason.
Friday, July 14, 2006 7:19:00 PM
Anon ~
I'm wondering the same thing. Everyone in this post and others continues to criticize Dr. Williams, but no one has said a word about this lady past here in St. Louis. I'm hoping maybe Antonio will put it on here. I've been all over the interenet for the last couple of hours and there is information out their about here, but nothing about her stint in St. Louis.
Friday, July 14, 2006 7:23:00 PM
I agree with the first post: Peter/Purdy/Jones/O'Brien are being just as arogant as the previous Board members. My wife and I will begin to explore other options for educating our children. We are long time supporters of the district, but this mess is only getting deeper and smellier. I hope they have a plan for how to get the schools open on time. I wonder what HER salary will be. Will we the paretns get any real answers or just what the majority wants us to know? Hmmmmmm . . sound like the more things change . . the more they stay the same.
Friday, July 14, 2006 7:28:00 PM
People, employees in the central office close to the action often talk about some very questionable behavior, and he has given the impression that he is above policies, law, and procedures. He doesn't treat staff with respect and then feels he isn't treated with respect. Hmmmmm! O'Brien, Downs, Purdy, and Jones are people of integrity that care for children and staff. Don't give them the short shrift.
Friday, July 14, 2006 7:46:00 PM
I know that she was dismissed from Fox but cannot recall the reason. For an area like Arnold, my thoughts are that maybe she was too progressive but that is just a guess. I would feel better if some research was completed to find out the situation. The fact that she worked at DESE makes me believe that it may have not been a good fit in Arnold. I know that I would never feel comfortable teaching in such a racist, conservative community.
Friday, July 14, 2006 7:54:00 PM
I left my job in the District because of this man and I applaud O'Brien, Jones, and Downs for the courage to do the right thing for our children.
Friday, July 14, 2006 7:56:00 PM
I have one question----When will we begin to focus on our babies? I could care less about a majority vote and their integrity, I do care about my daughter- who attends one the gifted magnet schools. I pray that this majority board will keep personal issues down and shift gears to our future---THE CHILDREN!!! Hello People, Is Anybody Listening?
Friday, July 14, 2006 7:59:00 PM
Rest assured that this is all about "the babies." This restructuring, first of the Board, and now of the administration, is about the future of the city's children. It is obvious that parents, students, teachers, and city residents are applauding the brave leadership of the School Board.
Friday, July 14, 2006 8:22:00 PM
I applaud the courage of the board majority. In my opinon, FLoyd can keep it moving and so can Dr. Williams. It is my hope that the board get rid of all of those people Williams brought in from Chi-Town, Coleman, Lacoste, and the man at Sumner and please let's not for forget his sissy little cousin or nephew that is the principal at Cleveland. Stay tuned.
Friday, July 14, 2006 8:31:00 PM
The following is from http://www.dhrinternational.com/bios/biosadobe/101.pdf:
Dr. Bourisaw brings 27 years of diverse experience in the public and private sector. Many of those years were spent as a practicing educator and executive, including service as a school system superintendent. She also brings practical experience to
governing boards through her expertise as a board member and board consultant. Dr. Bourisaw currently serves as a Governor’s appointee to the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education. She has also served as state supervisor providing technical assistance to 37 districts assisting them through accreditation reviews. Additionally Dr. Bourisaw teaches graduate-level classes at several universities.
Dr. Bourisaw has won many awards for exemplary leadership and is a recognized speaker and facilitator addressing such topics as “Ethical Leadership” and “Closing the Achievement Gap”.
Dr. Bourisaw’s husband, Steve Cantonwine, is an attorney. They have two school age children, Molly and Sara. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Special Education at Truman State University and her Ph.D. in Educational Administration at Iowa State University. Dr. Bourisaw has also authored a book, Judgment, and several educational articles.
Friday, July 14, 2006 8:41:00 PM
Maybe the "boyfriends", Creg, Floyd, Clive and Demetrius Johnson can go to another city and corrupt their district. It is apparent that President Obrien can careless about the countless hours Demetrius "I couldn't stay in the NFL" Johnson spend on his god for nothing talk show degrading her. And as far as the mayor is concerned he sounds just like Creg did the other day. No Mayor Slay, It is a damn shame that you are mad that Obrien pimped you like a prostitute on the street to get backing for board election. She flipped the script and is now handling great business. Go Ms. Obrien!!! Veronica Obrien for MAYOR!!!!!!
Friday, July 14, 2006 8:42:00 PM
SORRY Creg, you got to move out of your high post loft at the Roberts Building. I wonder did your personal driver drive you home tonight or perhaps you took the high rode walking down 9th street. Creg take the first flight out of STL to Chicago and let this be a lesson n your next quest...Don't become chummy chummy with board members because you will get played like a hand of spades in the end. As far as Mr. Williams is concerned my advice is to become certified in the next city you visit. Mr. Spencer now you can talk on your cell phone all you want. Spencer and Clive stop letting Creg make a fool out of you.
Friday, July 14, 2006 8:53:00 PM
Today is a great day in the city for our children.Thank you Veronica Obrien,Purdy,Downs and Jones...I salute our new majority board.Now let's get the ball rolling and start planning opening day with a positive attitude.And from a very loyal Slay supporter,sign in the yard, I was;Slay,listen to Veronica, mind the city bussiness and SHUT UP about the schools,your constant negative postings make me sick.Thank you again!!!
Friday, July 14, 2006 9:24:00 PM
"Damned Shame"? Mayor Slay is unhappy because he had hoped Williams and "the boyfriends" would continue down the road to ruin begun by Roberti. With Bourisaw there will be a halt to the accreditation point loss, so now he is worried that his plan for getting vouchers won't come to fruition. He and Schoem-ful aren't worried about our kids, they just want tax dollars from us poor folks to support private or parochial school tuition for him and other rich folks. They want to stick our kids in Charter Schools that do even worse than regular public schools so that our kids won't be any competition to their rich kids for good jobs.
Friday, July 14, 2006 9:32:00 PM
Hopefully more light will be shed on the Friday night massacre in the coming days.
In response to a previous poster, outlined below is a summary of DB's departure from the Fox district.
Also, if anyone knows Peter Downs, suggest he hire a media consultant. Based upon what I saw on Ch 2 this evening, he needs one.
08/14/00, the Baptist-heavy school board of Fox school district fired Diana Bourisaw, the Superintendent, shortly after renewing her contract. Though not stated in her firing, one of her "crimes" was trying to change "Christmas Break" to "Winter Break" and "Easter Break" to "Spring Break". In a recent settlement, The Fox School District agreed to give Bourisaw $373,080 and withdraw 19 charges of misbehavior that the School Board had said justified her firing June 27. In return, Fox gets Bourisaw's promise that she will withdraw the federal complaints of gender and religious discrimination (Bourisaw is Catholic) that her lawyer called a prelude to a high-dollar discrimination lawsuit. Some unresolved issues of the case: Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon last week told the school board his office would investigate a number of complaints that the board violated state open-meetings laws at the time of the firing; members of a group of Bourisaw supporters, known as Fox-CAN, or Fox Citizen Action Now, are discussing possible legal action such as ousting the board members who voted against Bourisaw as they come up for election; The board must choose a new superintendent to replace Bourisaw, but her supporters say they wish to replace those board members so they can reinstate her. (Source: "BOURISAW AND DISTRICT SETTLE, BUT THE STORY ISN'T OVER" by Chris Carroll of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Friday, July 14, 2006 9:45:00 PM
It is so sad that all you adults who can make a difference are posting messages on a blog and not being active for us. Dr. Williams was a man with great potential for our district and we lost the best thing that could happen to this district. This is "A DAMN SHAME", Our parents are not active in our educational lives and we are not the "focus of all our efforts" as stated by the board. I await the first day of school and I hope the next time that voters are to vote for school board members, they actually vote for a board that's for the students and not fame.
Friday, July 14, 2006 9:49:00 PM
Clearly an improvement over the last Superintendent.
Friday, July 14, 2006 9:50:00 PM
From the St. Louis Business Journal, 9/16/02, byline Margie Manning:
Veteran educator Diana Bourisaw, who made headlines when she was fired as superintendent of the Fox School District, has formed Education Options Inc. with management consultant Dick Goldberg. The business has contracts with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to boost financial and educational performance at the Normandy, Wellston and Hayti, Mo., school districts. The Mehlville School District also is a client.
And from the Post-Dispatch, 7/11/06, byline: Steve Giegerich:
A School Board that postponed passage of an operating budget for the next fiscal year has hired former Fox School District Superintendent Diana Bourisaw - whose accounting and spending practices were unfavorably cited later by the state auditor -- to audit the books of the city schools.
Friday, July 14, 2006 9:53:00 PM
The student is right. This is not about the students, it is about payback.
Just like saying that Irons can't be permitted to be around students as a coach, but it is fine to let him be around students as a teacher.
This board really knows how to involve the community in such an important decision.
Friday, July 14, 2006 10:06:00 PM
Who else did the Board fire this evening?
Friday, July 14, 2006 10:26:00 PM
Parents posting on this blog, what school district would you send your child to?
I am so confused as to whether I should stay in SLPS or ask my mom to transfer me to another district.
I want to "realize my full intellectual potential".
By the many vists to my school made by Dr. Williams, some students voiced their concerns and many were being taken into action.
Dr. Williams wasn't an administrator, he was a TRUE educator. And you wonder why "top of the line" teachers are leaving the district, they don't have to deal with the choas. I truly thank the educators that stuck with the fight, and I thank Dr. Williams for giving us his "wasted time and energy".
As students in a "disfunctional"
district, where do we go from here? We have to be about EDUCATION at all times and not egos.
Ms. O'Brien, has a "big head" as president of the board and I am just a "student that the district has failed".
Again, Thanks Dr. Williams for supporting us and I wish the best for you. You've given me words of wisdom and something to be hopeful for. It's just so sad and "scary" because my education is in someone's personal ball of priorities.
Friday, July 14, 2006 10:36:00 PM
Dear Worried Student,
I have heard good things about the Brentwood school district from a Brentwood parent. Brentwood is losing so much housing that they have welcomed VICC students unlike districts such as Ladue.
Thomas Jefferson School [private] has a rather nice feel about it. Unsure about their scholarship availability.
If you are young enough for new City School, I have heard many good things about it, although socially there seems to be a 'rich kids bias' i.e. middle class kids feel out of place.
Clayton district has a good reputation for elementary school, but very brutal for middle school. Some teachers feel that the VICC students are beneath their station in life. Hope that Veronica's kids don't get treated like that.
Friday, July 14, 2006 11:08:00 PM
Now that we are beginning anew once again. Let's put the past behind us and truly focus on the children in the city of St. Louis. I have 3 children in the district-high school, middle school and elementary and only want the best for all students, parents, teachers, staff and the administrators. We do have competent leaders to get the job done!
Friday, July 14, 2006 11:10:00 PM
I always wondered thought that something was clearly not right with the relationship between Williams and Irons. Dr. Williams flexed his muscles with every administrator and employee in the district except for Floyd Iron. What was that all about?
Friday, July 14, 2006 11:15:00 PM
I am in high school, thanks for your response.
Friday, July 14, 2006 11:41:00 PM
Yes! Yes! Yes! Good riddance Mr. Williams. This is a good experience for you to feel like you have made others feel. Disrespected and of no value. Let this be a lesson to you when dealing with human beings who have given so much in years, in emotion, and financially for our kids. The students are absoulutely number 1. When you demean those who work directly with the children, what do you think will happen? St. Louis City Schools will prevail. Thank you so much board members for standing up for what you know is right. This is a happy day!!!!
Saturday, July 15, 2006 12:37:00 AM
Dear Worried Student-
As much as I feel for you, I have 3 children in this district that I chose to send my children to. We are not from this district. Dr Williams, in the time that I spent with him was arrogant and demeaning. I'm glad, at least to hear that he was not that way with you. Please know that there are many people who believe that this district can still move in a positive direction and still has the potential to generate the best and brightest from its midst. I hope that you will give the district some time to make this happen. I believe it took great courage for certain people to make the decision they did. The truth will eventually come out, as it always does. Please stay strong and know that there are many, many people fighting for the children, "the babies" we love and cherish. We only want the best for all of you. Please don't give up on us.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 1:08:00 AM
....just got home from work. ....giddy, ecstatic and full of hope at the news! This is the best thing that could have happened. An auditor, named as superintendent of our school district....who would have thought? Maybe now we can find out the REAL story behind the curtain and move in the right direction. I sent an email to kking@dese as a concerned citizen begging him not to dissolve the school board. These are the people who were selected by the voters. Congrats to those who finally stood up for our kids.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 1:14:00 AM
got rid of the homeboy to bring in this white woman to oversee black issues, I dont understand
Saturday, July 15, 2006 2:58:00 AM
Mr. Fatt Nutts, what does race have to do with education? It's the race card that holds so many blacks behind. C'mon! It's about education and integrity of the process. Whose killing blacks randomly? Other blacks. So pleeeeesse, get off the race card. The blacks who attend private and parochial schools seeking a better education don't complain when teachers or administrators are of another race. And Mr. Fatt Nutts, this is a public school district that belongs to all races, not just yours.
Attitudes like yours are detrimental to the progress of this city and community. Whites, Hispanics, and Asians don't complain when they have blacks over them. What a retrograde thought you bring to something so much bigger than race.
Spend more of your time hoping you're not carjacked or shot by some random bullet from someone of your own race. You don't have to fear whites, Hispanics, or Asians, do you?
Saturday, July 15, 2006 5:26:00 AM
I remember hearing all the talk about opening the process to the public, to the parents, to the teachers...I guess all that was just campaign crap. O'Brien, Purdy Downs and Jones are no different than the previous board. They did not do a search, they went behind closed doors and hired the new Super without getting any public input. So much for truth in advertising.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 5:38:00 AM
Worried student- you need to realize that Dr. Williams was a great speaker and great at PR. I am glad you had a positive experience with him however he hired the administrators in this district who have terrorized principals and employees for the last 15 months. I am a worried teacher that was shocked by this abrupt decision. It does make me uneasy to change so suddenly without public input. I think that the majority of the school board must have information that we do not currently have or Mr. Williams would not have agreed to resign. If they fired him without cause, he would have been entitled to the remainder of his entire contract not just a buy-out of one year.
I think that we should give Dr. Bourisaw an opportunity to help this district. Make no mistake the district will either improve or have a state take-over in the near future. I have taught in this district for more than 10 years and have yet to see it providing an appropriate education for all students. The principals need to be unburdened from impossible demands and harrassment from downtown and have the time to focus on the academic achievement of their buildings. They need to be able to coach and improve teachers while removing teachers that are not good for kids.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 6:26:00 AM
The fact he so willingly and compliantly resigned and the comment by Archibald indicating if he didn't it would cost him his reputation and money indicates the grounds were of a serious nature. Additionally, the fact that the district is not obligated to pay for the rest of his contract is an indication serious infraction of his contract took place.
Since this is a personnel matter, all the facts may never be publicly known. Therefore, the board members who are obligated to keep personnel matters confidential due to either serious or personal nature should not be unduly criticized by those who know little or nothing.
Let's see if certain civic leaders and the media understand the complexities and nuances that they must practice in their own spheres of responsibility and treat these board members with the respect they consider they personally deserve.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 6:37:00 AM
I think Mr. Fatt Nutts' comment underscores the reason that the SLPS continue to fail. Who cares what color or sex the supeintendent is? We must have somebody that is able to make improvements in the district not someone that fits a certain physical description. As a long time employee of the district, I am sick of hearing she only got the job because she is black or he only got the job because he is white. It is time to move past prejudices and racism and focus on the improvement of the schools and academic achievement. SLPS is no longer just black and white- there are an indefinite number of ethnic groups and the adults need to adjust. We are here to educate students regardless of their or our ethnic background. If you cannot be lead by a white superintendent, get out!! If as a parent you cannot handle your child having friends of all races, enroll in private school or homeschool. If the adults' mentality cannot change then we will always fail. The district will only improve when all stakeholders can focus on the common goal which is the education of all students.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 6:43:00 AM
Previous anonymous,
Here, here! Thanks for putting the focus where it belongs.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 7:16:00 AM
Does anyone have any suggestions for a single parent? My child is gifted and also requires special education services. I purchased a home in the city because I had been led to believe the gifted program was excellent. That has not been my experience. There has to be a school district that cares about these children with dual exceptionalities while abiding by special education laws. The SLPS has had no regard for special ed laws until recently. The person responsible for these changes is gone. I wonder where I go from here?
Saturday, July 15, 2006 10:57:00 AM
I assume that you are talking about Kennard which teaches one grade level ahead. I do not personally consider this a gifted program but rather an accelerated program. I would suggest looking into other magnet schools that also have a gifted pull-out program. Have you looked at Shaw. They have a gifted pull-out program and would also have a Resource teacher and general education teacher with experience in special education needs.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 11:56:00 AM
I have to agree with Miss Helen Louise that there is probably more to this than meets the eye. Dr. Williams is rather arrogant with a pretty hot temper. It is not like him to go quietly into the night. There must be something egreious that cannot be made public behind this calm, compliant resignation. I have my suspicions, but would not wish to make a bad situtation even worse by airing them without proof. Suffice it to say that the rumors have run rampant of late and if even a kernal of truth is behind any of them, he needed to leave SLPS and take his posse with him. We need to put this in the past and move toward getting our schools ready for the students to return to in a few weeks.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 3:00:00 PM
I hope that the problems that is gettting ready to occur are placed directly at the feet of Mary Armstrong. She and her friend Lizz Brown wanted to blame Creg for everything and wanted him out.
Well Mary, I hope that you and Lizz have a great time running the district. Remember, it opens in six weeks.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 4:40:00 PM
Anonymous, thanks for the effort, yes, I am talking about Kennard. They do classify themselves as a gifted program, they are accelerated 1 year ahead. This is better for a highly intellectual child then sitting in a SLPS clasroom that performs at average grade level or below. Kennard also employs teachers with Master Degrees in Special Education, that does not guarrantee they follow or use the practices, even after completion of the IEP process.
The school is geared towards high achievers. There are many gifted kids deemed dually exceptional and the state mandates they receive the educational accomodations necessary. The entire SLPS Special Education department is a catastrophe. I do not believe I would have any better luck at a different school in the SLPS.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 6:44:00 PM
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sunday, July 16, 2006 1:31:00 AM
Fatt Nutts, we don't need a race in office, we need a qualified person, one's who's degrees are for real and not from some diploma mill on-line.
Perhaps what we really need is an A S I A N in office because Asians seem to know how to excel academically!
You're too racist for the good of the children of your people.
Who is in charge of the Cardinal Ritter School where so many black children excel? I don't think it's a N E G R O.
Sunday, July 16, 2006 5:17:00 AM
Mr. Fatt Nutts, Why do you think that the superintendent must be black? If you only hire superintendents that are black then you have a much smaller pool of applicants? Do you think all teachers of black students should also be black? or All teachers of white children should be white? In my opinion, we need a superintendent that knows the accreditation process and MO laws. We need someone that is well versed in best practices and current research. We need employees that understand children and work to motivate and reach all students. I think when we insist on certain races in positions we stop looking at qualifications.
I respect your opinion but have a difficult time understanding it.
Sunday, July 16, 2006 5:44:00 AM
I wish to share a story with you all of when I went to school. I promiss that it won't be of the fashion that I walked 10 miles, uphill (both ways), although as I recall, I did.
The Superintendent of the district where I went to School was Raj Chopra. Under his guidence, the district was one of the top 10 in the nation. Shortly before I graduated, quite a few years ago, he moved to, I believe, a district in Texas because he was highly sought-after, and his work with our district had been completed. My point of bringing this up is that, as I recall, my highschool had 2 students (brothers) of continental Indian decent, and while I am sure there were more students with a similar ancestral background, they were clearly not in the majority. However, our district was well run by a man of Indian decent, without mention of race, ethnicity, religion. We focused on the truly important matters of eduction. Perhaps it is my color-blind views that compel me to write this, or maybe it is because there is a greater need for color-blindness in our public policy debates.
Sunday, July 16, 2006 10:28:00 AM
I've just spent the last thirty or so minutes reading all of these postings. I wonder how many people understand the phrase "focus on the children". This website is new to me. I have been with the district for almost two years now and completely ignorant to how it was being run. I'm glad that I have been researching more and more these last several weeks. As an undergrad I wanted to teach because I "cared about children". They were "my passion". I almost want to slap myself when I hear these words come out of my mouth now. Education means so much more to me now. I come from a good home in a nice district that would never have these kinds of problems. I didn't understand the significance of a good teacher in the city. There is more to a "GOOD" district then a superintendent. And there is more to a "GOOD" education for these children than just math, science, english and history. We need to get the focus right. Our students are being let down not just by a board but by a community as a whole. When my students come into the classroom on August 28th they will not be worried about who the new superintendent is but rather how they are going to survive another week in hell (life). I hear more about MAP scores, testing, special education, board members, scandal, "homeboys", funding, rules, regulations, standards, salary, building codes, violence, take-over, classroom size, RIF, paychecks (or the lack thereof), policy, sports, mandatory summer school, PD and race than anything concerning what's going on in the classroom or what we are going to do about our "babies" outside of the classroom. I don't know what the solution is but I do know that we need to change our focus and soon. I have so many opinions on what has happened over the last couple of weeks but I don't know everything and all I can do is go with it. In church this morning the pastor was talking about praying for our schools. He was upset at his friend being let go. It got me to thinking, GOD IS IN CHARGE, not MAN. Let's pray for healing. Let's pray for a miracle.
Sunday, July 16, 2006 2:57:00 PM
To the single parent who has a gifted child with learning issues:
My child has been at Kennard. I called up the Learning Disabilities association about schools that would be less hostile to LD/ADD/BD students. What they said mirrored my child's experience. It really depends on the individual teacher. A great school can have some teachers hostile to LD/ADD/BD students and a lousy school can have some teachers that are excellent with LD/ADD/BD students. My child's experience really varied depending on the teacher.
The school is still full of teachers that came on board during Mrs. Shelton's tenure as Principal. As she appeared to think that LD/ADD/BD students did not belong at Kennard, she probably didn't recruit many that recognized that about half of gifted students have LD/ADD/BD issues.
One of my child's teachers there tried to get me to pull my child out of the school. The lives of other students with learning issues were made so difficult that the parents pulled them out.
McKinley is supposed to be a much more supportive environment than Kennard for LD/ADD/BD students, if you can stick it out.
Given that the current principal believes in the multiple intelligences theory, hopefully she will be able to make the school a less hostile place for LD/ADD/BD students. Still, she is stuck with some of the teachers hired under the "a student cannot be simultaneously gifted and LD" philosophy.
Wydown Middle School in Clayton has a horrible reputation for LD/ADD/BD students, according to my child's neurologist and some Clayton resident friends of mine.
A psychologist friend of mine has highly recommended New City School as a school that is not hostile to such children. Also, Metropolitan School is planning to move into the school building at Dale and Boland in Richmond Heights when they get enough money to rehab it. When they will be in their bigger space they will be able to accommodate more students. Miriam school also has a Kennard connection.
At least one Kennard family that couldn't take the hostility there to LD/ADD/BD students is homeschooling. Perhaps some of the similar Kennard LD/ADD/BD refugees could band together and co-operatively homeschool.
It is my understanding that about 30% of Kennard students are on medication such as Ritalin or antidepresssants. One classmate of my child this past year was suicidal, given the stress of the hostility of the school environment and family issues.
I really struggled this past year with what was best for my child. Because the majority of my child's friends were at Kennard, I kept my child there. I still really struggle with guilt at having kept my child there. The classroom my child was in was a very hostile emotional environment. It was not uncommon for students leaving the classroom at the end of the day with a test to be leaving crying. It has not been uncommon at the school to hear teachers screaming at the top of their lungs at individual students or the whole class. Alternatively, some of the teachers there are wonderful.
chrisjones061972@yahoo.com if you wish to contact me
Chris on archcitychronicle website.
Sunday, July 16, 2006 6:36:00 PM
As a long-time district special education teacher, I am shocked to hear the Kennard issues. It is definitely not well known. I do know that Kennard had a Resource position open on the transfer list so maybe that could help depending on who gets that position. I have noticed that Kennard has this position open frequently and have wondered why no one stays at Kennard in special education.
What you have described as the hostility toward your children is not unlike the constant battle that I have had with general education teachers regarding special education students. I have encountered many teachers who do not want to deal with a child that has a diagnosed disability. If the child has a diagnosis then they feel that the entire education of the child is up to the special education teacher.
As more students are receiving services in an inclusive setting, I hope attitudes will change. If not the administration will need to focus on changing the teachers. I have heard wonderful things about the new principal and hope everything works out for you. It seems to me that if the parents pressured the school regarding specific problems that things or personnel may change.
I personally have reservations about Kennard because they teach one year ahead of level. Do you find that the majority of the students are able to handle the curriculum in all subject areas? Is the stress of the rigor causing the hostile environment or do you see something else as the problem?
Sunday, July 16, 2006 9:45:00 PM
To the special ed teacher,
Many of the Kennard families have their kids there because the school has been a majority of middle class families and because it is an environment where kids that like to learn aren't bullied for being open about it. A lot of the parents are terrified that their kids will be beaten to a pulp at other schools. This is a shame, because many parents don't even realize that there are pull out gifted programs at other magnets, Mullanphy, Shaw, Dewey, etc.
The parents I've talked to really have a different experience from year to year depending on teacher.
I interpreted the hostility to pressure on the teachers to get those test scores up. Unfortunately, the pressure just leads to some of the student's brain's shutting down.
I don't see the problem so much that the curriculum is one grade ahead. I see it more that some of the teachers don't understand that gifted kids don't have equal aptitudes in all areas. My child is probably a few grade levels ahead in one area and a few grade levels below in another area. Unfortunately, the pressure to get those MAP scores up causes some teachers to think that assigning six hours a night of homework will work.
An "ungraded system" would sure be nice [ungraded as in the child takes the subject at the level appropriate, so that a math class could have students from several different grades, but appropriate for the student's level]. The students would still receive grades on their performance. I believe that St. Michael's on Wydown has that approach. don't know if they have enough scholarship money to help the single parent above.
It depends on grade level, but some of the teachers give a quantity of work that is totally inappropriate. Some of the parents end up doing the work for the students [which really teaches the kids the wrong message] and the kids whose parents can't or won't do that end up looking like dunces or lazy in the teacher's eyes.
Science fair projects are required for grades 2-5. They used to be required for first grade. The level of work required is inappropriate for the younger grades [e.g. 2 pages of background]. Some parents feel that the science fair requirement is for the "glory of the school". The parents end up doing much of the content of the projects turned in. As one judge said "The kids don't even know what is written in some of the projects that they have turned in."
One year they had the third graders changing classes, similar to middle school. This was very rough on the 25 or so students that were new to the school. The fourth grade teachers are very reasonable and caring and actually seem to understand how the kids' brains work.
Given the large class sizes, I can understand how a teacher that is already overwhelmed would not welcome the additional work that accommodations can generate.
Chris
Sunday, July 16, 2006 10:27:00 PM
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