By Antonio D. French
Filed Thursday, July 27, 2006 at 10:54 AM
The State Board of Education is meeting today in Jefferson City. Sources tell PUB DEF to expect some kind of action regarding St. Louis Public Schools. Labels: Breaking_News, Schools
We grabbed a video camera and are heading to Jeff City to see for ourselves.
Developing...
BREAKING NEWS
Commissioner of Education D. Kent King today appointed the following five Missourians to a special committee that is charged with helping to find solutions to the "continuing turmoil in the St. Louis Public Schools":
Dr. William H. Danforth
Atty. Frankie M. Freeman
Dr. Donald Suggs
Atty. Ned Lemkemeier
Michael Middleton
Check back later for video from the meeting and subsequent press conference.
UPDATE 2: Here's a video of King's announcement. Read more at our STLSchools.org.
19 Comments:
The state has no grounds for a take-over, so I can't imagine what action they will be taking other than perhaps to comment on the situation.
7/27/2006 12:21 PM
I'm a little irriated by this school board. I was a supporter of Creg Williams, the management team, and anybody else from the outside regarding the Public Schools.
Between the union politicizing public education (read pay raises), and the School Board doing everything wrong (namely firing Williams and Irons), and continual existence of Purdy being on the board (Hey! He's part of the problem, guys.)
I plan to substitute teach this fall. In light of recent events, the Public Schools will be my last choice. Let the state takeover. They couldn't do any worse than this incompent school board, and greedy teachers.
Travis, they might not, but somebody needs to push the district (willingly or otherwise) in the right direction. What they are doing right now, isn't it.
7/27/2006 12:41 PM
My crystal ball says that the Board will issue a statement to the effect, "SLPS board, we're watching, straighten up and fly right. You're on notice, get things better or . . ."
What legal basis this has, I have no idea, but I wouldn't mind the gravity of the situation be driven home to the board.
7/27/2006 2:28 PM
Outright takeover is not the only option. A middle ground could be some sort of board with advisory/oversight authority. Even stronger, but less strong then a takeover, could be to give the board some authority to preclude takeover if certain conditions are not met over time.
7/27/2006 2:34 PM
I hope that since Dr. Bourisaw is from the State, they intend to offer her help, not stand in opposition to her efforts. In fact, I wish everyone would just pitch in and help these kids and stop caring who is at the top. Let's get out there and help. A group from my congregation got rid of lead paint on some of the SLPS playgrounds for a community service project. Make a difference not just noise.
7/27/2006 3:03 PM
Hey, hey, Anonymous, that crystal ball is my gig!
The 5-person panel contains excellent selections. Blunt's administration should be commended on this one. The least known appointee is Michael Middleton, who attended law school when I did. He is a well-respected African American law professor. Whatever this group comes up with will be well thought out. That alone will be a welcome change!
7/27/2006 4:05 PM
Yawn! Preening and posturing will come from nabobs with no legal authority to change anything. What's new?
7/27/2006 4:19 PM
Yea, Oracle, I stole your crystal ball for a second.
However, it was pretty much a no-brainer. There had been rumblings of such a move since William's firing. And it was pretty much the only option for King (and Blunt).
A total takeover was politically impossible and administratively questionable. The lineup of the board makes it virtually a Danforth-related action--although I don't know much about Middleton.
The question will be how much voice the board will have in its local dealings, particularly with local school administrators and the local board. Someone who knows more about the operations and impact of the deseg board needs to chime in here.
Just call me Oracle the lesser..
7/27/2006 4:21 PM
Actually, UnionBasher, I have other aspirations. I caught between a career path as a doctor, or as a journalist. Substitute teaching would help pay the bills and tuition.
And your right on the mark.
7/27/2006 7:35 PM
K. Johnson, Thanks for not considering St. Louis Public!
7/27/2006 9:18 PM
Union Basher, You have it right by saying we should work as a team. That was why we worked so hard to get the new board majority. It is sad that you seem to have so much disdain for your co-workers and your teacher's union. I believe your negativity will make teamwork for you difficult. Hopefully though, the majority of us will work well together. Can you explain why you belong to the union? I didn't understand your reasons in your first comment. K Johnson, I would rather not have you in my classroom after the comment you made about me. Surely there is another way for you to pay tuition. You don't really sound too interested in teaching. Subbing isn't about showing videos anymore.
7/28/2006 12:22 AM
K. Johnson, Have fun with that subbing venture. I'll tell you right now, medical school will be a lot easier!
7/28/2006 12:27 AM
Damn union basher, this is a blog not a shakespear script. Learn how to talk!
7/28/2006 11:45 AM
How does one go about becoming a substitute teacher? What is the process?
7/28/2006 10:23 PM
Union Basher, you are stereotyping when you use words like unionites. Surely you do not believe all union members do not do as much as you if not more. To me you come off as self righteous and this undermines your credibility. Maybe I would be more responsive if you were more solution oriented and not such a finger pointer.
You speak of belonging to the union for legal protection and you were ready to file a grievance. It seems that you do appreciate union security. I find it quite hypocritical.
Travis, go to the SLPS homepage and click on human reources or call 231-3720 and connect to human resources and listen to the message. If it is another district you're interested in, just call their administrative office and they will direct you. If it hasn't changed, you need only 60 college credit hours in any field to qualify, and they will run a background check. Hope this helps.
7/29/2006 1:03 AM
Union Basher, I must say I feel sorry for your principal. If you are one of the most cooperative teachers in the building, how could you, and you said this yourself, have fellow teachers writing you up and receive a bad evaluation from your principal. Sounds to me that you cause your fair share of trouble. I also agree with 1:03 anonymous. If you were a true union basher you would not take advantage of the grievance process or the liability insurance. It seems terribly conflicted. Get what you can and bash the rest. Maybe you should change your title to teacher basher, it seems to fit better.
7/29/2006 1:40 AM
Thanks anon. I think I'd like to try my hand at teaching part-time.
7/29/2006 1:48 AM
Travis,
It takes a little while to become a substitute teacher since sexual abuse and criminal background checks have to be done. There may also be health immunization issues, so you would need to apply soon.
There need to be more strong male substitutes who don't just sit and read the paper.
7/30/2006 11:33 AM
As a son of teacher, I can understand where Union Basher is coming from. And they're right.
One of the main reasons I oppose unions in the public sector (I fully support them in th private sector) is that the employees need to be accountable to the taxpayers, and no one else. Putting your allegiance to a union, and not to those who pay your salary is a frightening thought. I feel a better way to protect good teachers in SLPS (there are quite a few, just far short of the 3000+ we need) is test not just the students, but their teachers as well. Pay will be based upon their student's achievement in conjunction with their compentence as one. An even better solution would be to put them in the city's Civil Service System.
For the anonymous that said that wouldn't want me in their class; I'm aware that substitute teaching doesn't involve playing videos. I'll leave that to the primary classroom teacher, along with gossiping in the hall instead of instructing.
Further I will not substitute teach in a district that treats "non-certificated" employees as though their degrees (associate, bachelors, masters, or even doctorate) are worthless because they don't have a teaching certificate. The ways teachers and adminstrators treat these people should start a strike.
I do believe that 420 has a closed shop operation going on, which requires teachers to join the union, whether it resprents their intrests or not.
Unfortunately, I don't think the board has noticed that it isn't about the kids, it's about my paycheck.
7/31/2006 11:08 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home