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17 Comments:
Now we know who not to vote for! Thanks teachers' union for making it easy for us.
If you think the purpose of schools is to educate kids, rather than provide jobs for adults, then don't vote for the teachers' union candidates!,
1/26/2007 2:48 AM
Whoever you are you're nuts. These two people are great people and they are parents also with children in the district. This is who most knowledgable parents wished they would support and support quickly so we can rally the troops. Get with the program. They are very active and caring "stakeholders" as they like to call them, who better to be a part of the board?
1/26/2007 6:28 AM
Maybe the fact that you were up so late has clouded whatever judgement you actually had. They are the best two candidates, they are parents with children in the district and they ultimately are ones who would care the most about the children. Whatever decisions they would make as part of the school board would directly affect their children too.
1/26/2007 6:30 AM
Anonymous 1, I am not expecting your vote. However, for all the rest of you out there who may wonder about my independence and priorities, I'll mention this. I received notice that the SIEU is having their candidate forum this weekend, and with the invitation they sent a questionnaire asking me to sign a pledge to support union members rights among other things. I thanked them for the invitation, told them I could not attend the forum due to a prior commitment, and declined to sign their pledge, thereby making myself ineligible for their endorsement. I will not make side deals or have alliances that interfere in any way with the fiduciary or ethical responsibilities of a Board member, which is to do what is best for the District and the children--MY children, both of whom are in the SLPS. To suggest that I would support jobs of adults I don't even know at the expense of my own children's education is not only offensive, but unbelieveable to anyone who knows how much I love my children and have been involved in their education.
The union taped our interviews. I don't remember a question about protecting jobs at the expense of educating children. These people have dedicated their lives to learning the best ways to teach our children, an honorable profession. My children have had wonderful teachers within the SLPS. I am proud to have their support, and they asked no promises from me in return for it.
Now, all you union members out there, I don't object to you doing what you need to do. Employees at times need the protection of a union. We all have our place and our concerns, and can work together to try to address all of them.
1/26/2007 10:09 AM
Well stated Ms. Wessling.
1/26/2007 11:21 AM
To Ms. Wessling: Bravo! Bravo! It is a false assumption that a union made up of educators is bent on saving jobs. These are men and women who have committed themselves to teaching children in the most daunting of circumstances.
If anyone wants to focus on jobs, it should be on the patronage jobs (e.g., an inexperienced coach, et al)at high salaries and consultants who are politically connected or connected to friends. Patronage jobs aren't union jobs.
We need more parents like these two who care for and love children and who can appreciate the professional staff and others who face daunting challenges in attempting to teach all the children that come through the doors of their schools.
Ms. Wessling has expressed well and articulated beautifully the issues.
Once again, bravo, bravo to her.
1/26/2007 11:44 AM
Thanks, I was wondering whom not to vote for, that is, if we even will need to vote.
1/26/2007 3:38 PM
Anonymous said...
Thanks, I was wondering whom not to vote for, that is, if we even will need to vote.
1/26/2007 3:38 PM
The saddest thing to me is not that your attitude is so widely held---but rather that in Missouri----democracy is no longer a viable way to battle you----that option is being taken away by people who do not live in St. Louis or deal with the consequences of their actions.
You would not be anyone to fear in a fair democratic fight. That is not going to be available. Congratulations.
1/26/2007 3:56 PM
Thanks so very much for allowing me to appear before your organization.
I will continue to campaign against state takeover.
Bill Monroe
1/26/2007 4:10 PM
Bill Monroe,if you are elected to the school board ,will you draw a gun on anyone at the board meetings like you did on the security guard at Walgreens that told you not to park in the handicapped parking spot because you didn't have a handicapped parking permit? You haven't been a St. Louis city police officer for at least 10 years,wasn't that a criminal act?
1/26/2007 4:35 PM
You should remain anonymous, because anyone as stupid as you are and without the facts should never I.D. yourself; the news stated that Monroe was in fact a Pine Lawn Police Sergeant, driving a police vehicle and parking in a spot reserved for police cars when he was met by a racist white security armed guard attempting to impose his unlawful will.
1/26/2007 8:35 PM
As a parent of a child attending the SLPS I am not interested in the candidates currently backed by the teacher's union. I have had positive and negative experiences with the SLPS faculty, the union supported both.
I am interested in board members that are concerned about the education of their children as their decisions affect my child.
Ms. Wessling your thoughts mirror my own, you have my vote! Can we be saved from a state takeover?
1/26/2007 8:39 PM
Ms. Wessling,I too was invited to attend the forum Saturday in front of SEIU, but I declined. I was going to stay quiet about it, but since you posted, I feel I may explain my own reasons. Many of them are the same that you site.
I could not in all honesty sign the agreement that they sent along with the questions. Because I would not sign, I know I would not get their endorsement.
I am not against unions in any way, shape or form. I feel that they provide valuable services for their members. Many times they provide great help to workers which are being treated unfairly by an employer. That goes for this union and unions in general.
But their letter specifically asks that we pledge to publicly support and actively encourage organizing along with walking picket lines, call press conferences,etc "to ensure that SEIU Local 2000 is successful in their efforts." This is akin to making me an agent of the union.
Only 2 questions actually related to the School board: 1) Would I continue to actively support the unions right to represent their members, and 2) briefly describe your top priorties and the policy areas that will by of most interest to you as a board member.
There was no mention of education or the children.
I declined. Like you Ms. Wessling, I won't be getting their endorsement and probably lost some votes. But I will be able to carry out the duties to the best of my abilities without a side deal or alliance to encumber me.
I wish you luck in your campaign
Maurice St. Pierre
candidate
1/26/2007 11:27 PM
Bill Monroe,you were tossed out of the Thurgood Marshall Charter School for financial mismanagement,right? Did any of that mismanaged money go into your pockets?
1/27/2007 11:33 AM
Anon, 1/27/07 @ 11:33a.m. -
What courage you have! You call Bill Monroe out by name but won't identify yourself. Well done coward.
1/27/2007 7:35 PM
I identified myself as anonymous,the same way you identified yourself as cleenfreek,idiot!
1/27/2007 9:46 PM
We all have our place Ms. Wessling?
1/27/2007 11:29 PM
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