By Antonio D. French
Filed Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 9:37 AM
State Representative Jamilah Nasheed has requested a legal opinion from the office of Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon regarding the State Board of Education's action last week on St. Louis Public Schools. Labels: Schools
In a letter dated Feb 19, Nasheed asks the AG:
Can the State Board of Education terminate the authority of the St. Louis City Board of Education under section 162.1100, RSMo,
(a) even though the State Board of Education decided in 1999 that the transitional school board was no longer needed to oversee the transition from a federal court school desegregation plan,
(b) without obtaining approval by the federal court presiding over the desegregation matter; and
(c) without obligating the state to fund the city schools per the desegregation settlement?
"As a House member from the City of St. Louis," Nasheed writes, "I have 7 city schools in my House district. I am concerned that legislation may be necessary to clarify the relationship between the St. Louis school board, the transitional district board, and a potential special advisory board and to clarify how the St. Louis Public School district can regain local control in the most expeditious manner."
This issue may have special impact on Nixon, who will likely be the Democratic nominee for Governor next year.
If, as expected, a lawsuit is filed to stop the takeover of SLPS. Nixon, as Attorney General, will likely have to defend the State Board of Education's position — putting him at odds with the majority of Democratic elected officials and many of the voters of the heavily Democratic-voting City of St. Louis.
17 Comments:
If Nixon is running in '08 against Blunt, the issue probably won't come to trial by then, so he will off the hook. Even if it does, Nixon can, with much fanfare, resign because he can't, in his heart, defend a policy so wrong.
I don't see it so bad for Mr. Jay.
2/20/2007 11:43 AM
(b) without obtaining approval by the federal court presiding over the desegregation matter;
When was the last time this court ruled on something, what was it, and who was the judge?
2/20/2007 1:40 PM
Now this lady, Nasheed like McMillian is a true public servant. She's real, relating to the people not only in her district but outside as well, dependable and effective. Holly has a good seccessor. Jeff Smith now needs to really become involved in his city and get things done.
2/20/2007 10:32 PM
It sounds like more political grandstanding. And what continues to be left out of the debate is the issue of what is the plan of actually educating the children, moreover than pandering to popular sentiment or moreover, special interest. Unfortunately, the common masses of people who sincerely just want better situations, don't see that these issues to some politicians are deceptive tactics of making the public believe they're working in their interest, but is no more than a item for their political resumes. What is more appreciated is our elected representatives being sincere, and honest in their assessments and forthright in their plans to progress our community. Let's stop playing politics with these children, and place their interest above all. Let's begin by accepting the reality that our children aren't being educated. Second, that all those who may oppose state intervention oppose it for differing reasons, and all those reasons don't include the children, (i.e., some teachers, and unions, who don't want to accept responsibility or accountability for the current situation, or their contracts) We want our leaders to have a plan, and really lead, even if that means you make decisions that go against what's popular, like Dr. King. All due respect to License Collector McMillen, because he's the consummate politician, who knows the game, but we're tired of the same dog and pony show game, be about these children, for real.
P.S. Does this audit that Rep. Nasheed propose include an outgoing audit of the St. Louis Public Schools, as well as that of DESE. ( That's if we're truly concerned about accountability, and not just lending credibility to our own position)
2/20/2007 10:54 PM
And what continues to be left out of the debate is the issue of what is the plan of actually educating the children, moreover than pandering to popular sentiment
Oh, give me a break!
For openers, you have a board that had the guts to deal with a violent bully---Floyd Irons. You have a superintendent who has done everything possible to scrape together enough repairs to the damage done to accreditation by the Slay era, to make it through another year, fighting all kinds of ridiculous and unnecessary distractions and winning the respect of teachers and parents.
There are substantive plans which will take years to start making a difference---the money for ninth graders to further their education in 2010 as an incentive to keep them going now.
talk about pandering to popular sentiment---THE SCHOOLS ARE A MESS!DO SOMETHING! NOW! EVEN IF IT'S STUPID!
You have a governor who appointed an Alan Keyes delegate to the state board, who has this building the Christian Way company who stands to profit directly from privatization. His second appointee was semi-creationist and voucher fan Whitmore Smith---he could name her ceo of the schools and no one could stop him. And you have Slay, who gave you some of the most idiotic board members in the history of the schools---which is going some----these two goofballs are going to find a couple of people who will do something---that's the plan.
I think the main plan is that they are both extremely hostile toward teachers, and will do wonderful things to hold those lowlife teachers accountable for a change.
Maybe someone will hold them accountable in 2008.
2/21/2007 1:07 AM
Anonymous 2/21/2007 1:07 AM, check this out:
A new book by Chris Hedges called 'American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America' investigates the highly organized and well-funded 'dominionist movement.' The book investigates their agenda, examines the movement's origins and motivations and uncovers its ideological underpinnings. 'American Fascists' argues that dominionism seeks absolute power in a Christian state. According to Hedges, the movement bears a strong resemblance to the young fascist movements in Italy and Germany in the 1920s and '30s.
According to Chris Hedges, "There’s a bill now in the Texas state legislature that will abolish all mention of evolution in school textbooks and make Bible study mandatory in public schools. And the role of creationism is extremely important in this movement. It’s not just wacky pseudoscience. It is really a war against truth. It is not about presenting an alternative. It’s about saying facts are interchangeable with opinions, that lies are true, that we can believe whatever we want. And once they successfully elevate creationism, which, of course, is a myth -- I mean, teaching creation out of the Book of Genesis is an absurdity. The writers of the Book of Genesis thought the earth was flat with rivers of above and below us. But what it does is destroy the possibility or sanctity of honest, dispassionate, intellectual and scientific inquiry. And when they do that, they have made a huge step towards creating a totalitarian state."
2/21/2007 6:50 AM
It doesn't really matter what the court says in relation to the 1999 deseg. agreement. NO GOVERNMENT PANEL, LEGISLATIVE GROUP, JUDICIAL ENTITY OR BUREAUCRATIC APPOINTEE MAY NULLIFY THE RESULTS OF A PUBLIC ELECTION WHICH AMOUNTS TO DE FACTO VOTER DISENFRANCHISEMENT. IRONICALLY, THE PROVISION ALLOWING FOR THIS STATE TAKEOVER WAS AUTHORED BY LACY-CLAY, ACCORDING TO POLITICAL SOURCES. JAY NIXON HAD BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT HE NEEDS TO FILE IN COURT TO RESTORE VOTING RIGHTS TO THE CITY'S CITIZENS AND PROSECUTE THOSE WHO PURSUED THIS ILLEGAL DISENFRANCHISEMENT. OTHERWISE, HE CAN FORGET ABOUT THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTE IN ST. LOUIS AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY. THAT BEING THE CASE HE'LL NEVER SEE THE INSIDE OF THE GOVERNOR'S MANSE. WAKE UP PEOPLE! THE POLITICAL POWERS THAT BE STOLE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE AND USED THE SCHOOLS AS THE SCAPEGOAT! GET EVEN! GET RECALL PETITIONS FLYING AGAINST SLAY, LACY-CLAY, BLUNT AND MCCASKILL! BE AMERICANS!
J. Gadfly
2/21/2007 1:30 PM
I wish Jay Nixon would fight on behalf of the voters of St. Louis------but unless he loses in the primary-----I don't quite understand how much of a downside there is to doing nothing----especially with the media's attitude toward anyone who dares to raise questions about this takeover craziness.
2/21/2007 1:42 PM
Doing nothing is not possible. By remaining silent, you side with the ones in power. If Nixon does nothing, that means he sides with the state. That'll be all I need to know to cast my vote in another direction come '08.
2/21/2007 3:20 PM
Its 2 choices in the Gov. race Blunt or Nixon. Unless Blunt decides not to run which is unlikely. While neither may be an ideal choice, those are in fact the 2 we have to choose from. It's no way I will EVER vote for Blunt. Maybe Nixon has it wrong on education, but Blunt has it wrong on education, healthcare, tax credits, student loans, mental illness funding, Ameren, and just about anything else you name.
I don't see who in their right mind (thats a Democrat) could vote for Blunt with in good faith.
2/21/2007 4:39 PM
Didn't say I'd vote for Blunt. Said I'd vote another way. This is exactly why we need more than two parties, and why it is prime time for good candidates from other parties to keep trying. If that's seen as doing nothing, then, well, I'm no worse than Nixon, am I?
2/21/2007 9:50 PM
Nasheed you are making a fool of yourself. You are racist.
2/21/2007 11:48 PM
Jay stay out of this. None of these people vote anyway. Just come up with your own plan.
2/21/2007 11:51 PM
You just cant keep your mouth closed can you Veronica
2/22/2007 9:06 PM
Snead Hearn: "I mean, teaching creation out of the Book of Genesis is an absurdity. The writers of the Book of Genesis thought the earth was flat with rivers of above and below us."
Evidently, Snead Hearn has not read the book of Genesis. There is absolutely no mention of the earth being flat. Just because some people believed such facts did not make it either a Jewish or Christian belief or doctrine.
Evolution of the species or intraspecies remains a theory, not a proven fact. It is difficult to believe so much intricacy, complexity, and order came out of mere evolution. Many scientists cannot stake their reputations on it, so why teach a theory as a fact.
2/24/2007 5:14 PM
Snead Hearn: "I mean, teaching creation out of the Book of Genesis is an absurdity. The writers of the Book of Genesis thought the earth was flat with rivers of above and below us."
Evidently, Snead Hearn has not read the book of Genesis. There is absolutely no mention of the earth being flat. Just because some people believed such facts did not make it either a Jewish or Christian belief or doctrine.
Evolution of the species or intraspecies remains a theory, not a proven fact. It is difficult to believe so much intricacy, complexity, and order came out of mere evolution. Many scientists cannot stake their reputations on it, so why teach a theory as a fact.
2/24/2007 5:15 PM
anon. 2/24/2007 5:15 PM said,
Evidently, Snead Hearn has not read the book of Genesis. There is absolutely no mention of the earth being flat. Just because some people believed such facts did not make it either a Jewish or Christian belief or doctrine.
Evolution of the species or intraspecies remains a theory, not a proven fact. It is difficult to believe so much intricacy, complexity, and order came out of mere evolution. Many scientists cannot stake their reputations on it, so why teach a theory as a fact.
Apparently, you are defensive about things you read that might possibly call your religious views into question. I think you missed the point and misunderstood who made it.
The quote is from Chris Hedges, son of a Presbyterian minister and a writer with a Masters degree in Theology.
My point was to expose what he calls the "Dominionist Movement".
2/25/2007 9:26 AM
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