By Antonio D. French
Filed Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at 3:00 PM
Governor Matt Blunt's office today sent a file of letters supporting the appointment of Donayle E. Whitmore-Smith to Senator-elect Jeff Smith's office. The Governor's office says he has received dozens of letters supporting Whitmore-Smith's appointment to the State Board of Education. But many public education advocates have gone on record opposing her because of her strong pro-charter, pro-school choice positions.
"Donayle Whitmore-Smith has the qualifications and background to serve in this post and help our children get the education they need to be successful," Blunt said.
"She will also bring a diversity of opinion to the state's school board. Many others agree that she is the right choice for the State Board of Education. I know Donayle would appreciate the support of her incoming State Senator and we hope that he will consider the many letters we have received endorsing her appointment."
As the nominee's state senator, Smith's support is required, according to nominating custom, for Whitmore-Smith's appointment to go through. Recently pressure has mounted from both sides on Smith, who himself is an advocate of charter schools.
The Governor's office noted in a press release that if the Senate approves Whitmore-Smith, she would be the only African-American parent of school age children serving on the board. Last week, Blunt appointed another African-American to the State Board of Education, Reverend Stanley Archie of Kansas City.
According to Blunt, the letters of support for Whitmore-Smith range from parents who sent their children to the school that Whitmore-Smith founded; to James Buford, the President/CEO of the Urban League of St. Louis and a former member of the St. Louis City School Board, to a Governor Carnahan appointee to the Coordinating Board of Higher Education, to a university administrator, to a member from the Coalition of Hispanic Organizations’ Educational Committee, to Missouri citizens who strongly support the governor’s position regarding a need for a diversity of opinions on the state’s school board.
15 Comments:
Isn't Jim Buford the same losing school board member that claimed he supports public schools? The voters saw through that. How interesting it is that he is noted as one of Whitmore-Smith's endorsers.
12/20/2006 3:25 PM
I got an e-mail from Pro-Vote today asking me to contact Jeff Smith in order to urge him to block the nomination. I'm sure I'm not the only one who received this e-mail.
12/20/2006 5:47 PM
There goes my future support for Pro-Vote.
12/21/2006 9:24 AM
Whitmore-Smith has shown a passion for vouchers and charter schools. She'll be a fitting candidate for the State Board of Education when she shows a passion for improving public education for all. This one doesn't pass the laugh test. Jeff Smith should nix her nomination.
12/21/2006 9:34 AM
Why do people have the belief that to support a parent's right to choose the best school for their child without being hindered by money or zip code automatically means that they are agains't public schools? The school choice issue is NOT a public vs. Private school issue. It includes a variety of options to improve the quality of education for all children. Check out www.baeo.org
It is about empowering ALL parents and children to get the BEST education possible, not limiting them to only one option. As my public school children say... don't get it twisted.
12/21/2006 10:13 AM
The following link also offers many links to get more information on the education reform movement.
http://www.educational-freedom.org/links.html
12/21/2006 10:29 AM
What are her [Whitmore-Smith] views on science curriculum?
12/21/2006 12:14 PM
Jeff will do the political thing, and do nothing for 30 days. That way, he can say he still "supports" W-S, but not sponsor her.
12/21/2006 4:26 PM
I agree with Anon6. The creationism spin is not going to work either once people know the truth. There is no way out for Jeff but to sit on the sponsorship and hope his liberals don't seek a backlash on him.
12/21/2006 6:15 PM
She had college professors teaching the kids in her school biology. She also had an ecology lab in her school and a herb and vegetable garden that the kids helped grow. I also remember some astronomy classes. She believes in a holistic approach to education The school emphasized math. They found some very creative ways to teach algebra and geometry to the kids and I personally witnessed kids playing math games during free time by choice.
12/21/2006 10:49 PM
Whitmore doesn't subscribe to a particular view on teaching creationism as it relates to science. She is pretty open to letting kids explore all possibilities and theories. I have known her for 10 years and I don't think she has ever talked about one theory over another. In fact she is pretty against limiting kids to one philosophy of thinking as that does not develop critical thinking skills.
12/21/2006 10:58 PM
Its suprising to me that Pro-Vote has to go to this length to get Jeff Smith to do the right thing. I thought he was Mr.Liberal and saviour of the Democratic Party, and " I against everything that Matt Blunt stands for". Ha ha ha, I love these fools that thought Jeff Smith was the new hot shot in town.
12/22/2006 12:09 PM
The irony of Jeff Smith. First he voted against Sen.Maida Coleman, now he is thinking of supporting Matt Blunt'appointee, and voting against public education. What ever happen to all the talk about uniting St.Louis and making St.Louis one instead of black and white. Jeff Smith is like all the other politicians - say whatever to get elected. I wonder what happen to his friends at Arch City Chronicle. Not a peep from them about this issue.
12/22/2006 12:16 PM
Jeff Smith hasn't been inaugurated yet, hasn't taken a vote yet, hasn't made a decision about the nominee. Taking a few weeks to hear the voices of his constituents and other interested parties is hardly something he should be attacked for. Why don't we all wait until he makes his decision and then offer our opinions (or attacks, as it may be)?
12/23/2006 12:53 AM
True that Mr. Smith shouldn't be attacked, but we (pro PUBLIC school advocates) can't afford to wait to (for lack of a better term) lobby him. If Mr. Smith chooses to put forth Ms. Whitmore-Smith's name for the state BOE it will have huge effects on not only St. Louis public schools but public schools state-wide. Waiting until that happens without trying to persuade him not to would be irresponsible of us.
I wonder if those parents/administrators in the county districts have considered what would happen if the St. Louis Public Schools are declared unaccredited by the state. That could very well result in (to borrow a phrase from Ross Perot) "a giant sucking sound" of SLPS students going to county schools. Welcome to the REAL world West County.
12/23/2006 2:59 PM
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