By Antonio D. French
Filed Friday, March 16, 2007 at 7:23 AM
As students enter Day 3 of their sit-in protest in Mayor Francis Slay's office, time may be running out for the mayor to defuse the situation before it escalates.
After a brief and unsatisfying meeting with the mayor yesterday, students have committed to remaining in his office until he seriously addresses what they see as the most serious items on their list of 10 demands — and they may soon get reinforcements.
At three o'clock this afternoon, St. Louis Public Schools students begin their week-long Spring Break. The student protesters tell Pub Def that at that point, more SLPS students will be on the way.
City Hall may soon be the site of a 10-Day slumber party, with vacationing students joining their peers in the Mayor's office.
If that wasn't enough, the end of Spring Break comes just one week before the April 3rd school board election, adding even more political fuel to the protest.
Considering this situation will likely end in only one of two ways: the students leaving on their own, or the students being physically removed — the mayor may want to end this thing before 3 o'clock today.
27 Comments:
Listening to these students and adults proves that the SLPS is a failure...probably it can never be saved or made successful. The role of personal responsibility has been clearly avoided and the "blame others" is a mantra.
3/16/2007 7:59 AM
Please explain how any of these bright, caring young people bear any sort of personal responsibility for the decisions being made by politicians they cannot even vote for. Personal responsibility doesn't mean looking for ways to blame yourself and letting others off the hook. Those bearing personal responsibility in this case are not the students.
3/16/2007 8:50 AM
Is that Alderman Baringer and Irene Smith trying to work out a solution?
3/16/2007 9:05 AM
the consumer has a voice in every business
the students should be taken serious and heard
the purpose of public education is to "promote demoncracy"
the voters of St. Louis are being disenfranchised
students have made a difference in every movement involving civil rights
the right to not have your efforts nullified because of a few politrixters' personal stake in the district not reaching accreditation is worth taking a stand for
as for the previous comment; most of the seniors who have received scholarships and/or college acceptance letters are 18 years of age and many are registered voters
I personally encouraged students every year to register to vote ON their 18th birthday, just as my own children did
(Anonymous said...
Listening to these students and adults proves that the SLPS is a failure...)
I think it is clearly evident that the teachers and educators of SLPS have done an excellent job of one thing: promoting democracy
If the students never pass a standardized test in their lives, they will have learned to stand up and avail themselves of the democratic process. And that is the sole purpose of public education!
If you can read this, thank a teacher!
3/16/2007 9:08 AM
These young people are to be commended! They have mastered the lessons of democracy and are demanding accountability from this neo-fascist bigot Slay. They have brought up serious points regarding their educational rights--points that Slay and Jeff Smith have refused to consider. The fact that the mainstream media ignores this event is obscene. Slay's lack of concern for these students who have achieved--only demonstrates his true colors. Slay care nothing for the students and everything for the privateers. I would love to see some of these student's obtain an attorney and SUE SLAY, BLUNT, JEFF SMITH AND THE MO. LEGISLATURE. THEY WOULD HAVE A STRONG CASE. The fact that Slay's bullies have threatened these children with arrest only shows his contempt for the citizens of this city--especially if they are not country club members. Has it occurred to Slay and his merry band of neo-nazis that some of these students ARE MINORS AND SLAY'S OFFICE CAN BE CITED FOR POSSIBLE CHILD ABUSE. SOME OF US HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED DIVISION OF FAMILY SERVICES FOR THE STATE. THESE CHILDREN ARE TO BE HELD AS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF WHAT DEMOCRACY SHOULD BE. I AM PROUD OF THEM. THEY DESERVE BETTER THAN THE PLANS SLAY AND HIS RAIDERS HAVE FOR THEM. TIME TO RECALL SLAY.
Gadfly
3/16/2007 9:19 AM
These children do not have a vote; where are there parents? Wouldn't these kids be better off in classroom working to improve their intellect instead of playing hooky? It is shameful how these children are being used by politicians to elevate their own political agenda. This entire demonstration is contradiction against the low performing school issue.
3/16/2007 9:19 AM
Anonymous,
You are displaying your obvious ignorance. These children are students from schools like Metro, and have earned full scholarships to schools like Harvard and MIT. They have demonsrated their intellects. Metro is ranked as one of the best high schools in the country--above MICDS, Clayton, and several private schools like EXETER. They are using their rights to demand accountability from Slay and his racist dixiecrats. Furthermore, many are 18 and can decide for themselves if they will attend class. On the other hand--Slay refuses to follow the rule of law and is cheating them out of their hard earned scholarships. As for channel 5 reporting that Slay made phone calls to reassure students that their educational standing would be adequate--he CAN MAKE NO SUCH ASSURANCE. UNTIL THE STATE OF MO. DESIGNATES THEIR GRADUATION STATUS AS ACCREDITED BY AGENCIES CHECKED BY COLLEGES--THESE STUDENTS WILL REMAIN IN EDUCATIONAL QUICKSAND. NO COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY OF ANY REAL STANDING WILL CHANGE ACCREDITATION RULES AND JUDGEMENTS BECAUSE A SMALL TOWN MAYOR LIKE SLAY SAYS SO. THESE STUDENTS NEED TO GET AN ATTORNEY AND FORM A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST SLAY, JEFF SMITH, THE STATE OF MO. AND THE DANFORTH-FREEMAN COMMITTEE. THESE STUDENTS ARE USING THEIR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS. GOD BLESS THEM.
3/16/2007 9:40 AM
At first, I thought this protest was going to be a good civics and life lesson for these kids, a noble, albeit clumsy, experiment in civil disobedience. But I was wrong. They were not quickly hauled off and taught the actions have consequences lesson and that the moral authority of civil disobedience rests in the willingness to pay a price without whining about it. Instead, they had a slumber party and the Mayor gave them 25-30 minutes of face time, something that would not have happened in any other city of our size or larger. They have accomplished nothing toward the greater good, the stuff of civil disobedience.
The notion that disagreement equals disrespect is absurd. The notion that if you are not with us, you are against us is the currency of Premiere Bush that has bankrupted a nation. I am now less concerned about the quality of education provided by our public schools and more concerned about the poor role models for citizenry being provided by some of these kids' families and cultural influences, including Premiere Bush. I weep for the future of the Republic.
3/16/2007 10:04 AM
“On the other hand--Slay refuses to follow the rule of law and is cheating them out of their hard earned scholarships.” I in fact may be ignorant but I fail to to see at this point how Slay is cheating anyone. The Mayor’s office does not have jurisdiction over the SLPS. He has the right just as anyone to lobby the decision makers of the state just as you and/or the parents of the children sitting in his office.
Your racial overtones are just a red herring to move the discussion away from the fact that the SLPS mismanagement has been a terrible injustice to the residence of our city. The children have been denied a quality education for far too long. As a parent of children living in the city I demand change. No not change in chess pieces but change in a system that for 80% of the school the educational programs are not working.
A suit would be a legal punch in the wind. The right too sue is anyone prerogative but stop making idle threats put your actions into something have meaning or even productive in fixing the current problems
3/16/2007 10:17 AM
Their hearts are in the right place---but they are in the wrong office building.
The takeover is something so criminal in the area of voters' rights, and discrimination, that they should be demanding things of Jay Nixon. The state board of education is the place where the good ole boy rural power structure has been manipulating the accreditation theing.
Slay engineered the deal---it is foolish to make demands that he reverse everything he has been scheming to do for years---Bourisaw should just tell them.
3/16/2007 11:00 AM
It's unfortunate that our children are being used as puppets to further the cause of silly adults who have failed them over and over again. I wish mayor slay was the problem.. it would make things so much easier at that point... but he is not the real problem.. bottom line the district was broke before he took office and it has continued on its road downhill because of its own self serving leadership that is not remotely interested in serving the children.
3/16/2007 11:09 AM
3/16/2007 11:09 AM
There is no way to respond to a comment that divorced from the reality of what Slay and his hand picked board members have done.
3/16/2007 11:20 AM
Slay, instead of lobbying for control of the school system, is lobbying for the State Takeover. Why? Pandering to Rural Missouri. With the support of City and suburban elites, along with Rural politicians of both parties, he would have quite the political support for whatever future moves he has planned.
3/16/2007 11:54 AM
I wonder if they might have gotten a better reception from the Mayor if they hadn't worn shirts with an anti-Slay message. Catch more flies with honey and all that.
3/16/2007 12:08 PM
The only thing you get from SLAY when you come with honey is what the vinegar bearers get........STUNG
Now the press is reporting that students have walked out of Gateway and Soldan.
There are many colleges, universities, and vocational schools who list in their admission requirements, "completion of a secondary program from an accredited institution".
THE STUDENT'S ISSUES ARE REAL AND SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED!
3/16/2007 12:23 PM
The students’ hearts are in the right place even if they are being guided by self serving adults. The problem is not the STATE taking over the schools. ( The mayor has little to do with it)
The problem is the children are failing miserably in the district. The vast majority of the children cannot adequately compete in the real world at the higher education level or in the job market. Most do NOT read at grade level nor can they master the work required for their grade. Their communications skills are poor and their soft skills are worse. Their understanding of math and science is deplorable. Most can't make it pass the first year in college if they go at all. No one wants to hear the truth but the NUMBERS don't lie, only people. Unfortunately, even the students with A's do not do well on national tests compared to other students from other districts. Many of the Metro student are the exception to the SLPS rule, not the standard. Can anyone honestly say that the majority of students in the last 20 years are graduating from college and/or able to perform above entry level in any job? They can only say that they tried, not that they succeeded. The blame game is a cop out for poor performance.
It is easy to get people to respond based on primitive emotions of fear. The wise one will look passed the surface and see the real issue. The students deserve a good education whether they realize it or not. They have not been getting that. The state has chosen to intervene to stop the negative cycle of educational failures. We don’t know what they will do to improve it, but we do know what hasn’t worked.
3/16/2007 12:30 PM
ubpewwbI TAKE OFFENSE TO THE PREVIOUS COMMENT
I KNOW MANY STUDENTS WHO FAIL THE MAP TEST, DO SO-SO ON THE ACT, AND WENT ON TO COLLEGE AND EVEN BECAME ENTRE PRENEURS
THEY WENT TO THE SCHOOLS THAT DON'T GET THE EXTRA FUNDS FROM THE MAGNET PROGRAMS
THEY ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED
MANY WERE C STUDENTS BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY THAT THEIR DIPLOMA WOULD COME FROM A SCHOOL THAT HAS LOST ITS ACCREDITATION MONTHS BEFORE GRADUATION
They also did not have the right to transfer to an accredited district because the decision is being made in the middle of a school year!
3/16/2007 1:56 PM
Ive seen comment in previous posts to the effect that the students and those encouraging them have been disappointed by the Mayors response, but I have to wonder what response they really hoped to receive. First, the Mayor, conducting the citys business, is a very busy man, and if I wanted to meet with him on a topic important to me, I would call and schedule a meeting. Most likely I would be asked to meet with a member of his staff, such as Robyn Wahby, who is an expert on the topic, and then might be asked to meet with the Mayor based on the outcome of that first meeting. Further, what response did they expect to get wearing shirts that demean the man who they are seeking a meeting with. They should have taken the meeting with the Mayors staff seriously, and the meeting with the Mayor graciously. But this really isn't about the schools, or the kids...Irene Smith and Lizz Brown are just media-whores...straight to the next sound-bite.
3/16/2007 2:09 PM
to the disgusted parent. you are right on--I think I Love you!!!
3/16/2007 2:17 PM
Is it true that the majority of the 200 kids are birth children of Donna Jones and Percy Green. That explains the low achievement.
3/17/2007 12:29 AM
Anonymous said...
Is it true that the majority of the 200 kids are birth children of Donna Jones and Percy Green. That explains the low achievement.
3/17/2007 12:29 AM
says the love child of Mayor Slay and Tonya Harding.
3/17/2007 1:23 AM
I am a classmate of Percy Green's son and both of us graduated from Roosevelt in 1984 with very good skills. I resent your character assassination post.
3/17/2007 9:08 AM
why is there not a tape of the meeting between the kids and the Mayor. I thougth there was one made, but I cannot find it.
3/17/2007 4:39 PM
There is one. Come to City Hall and you can see it.
3/17/2007 9:42 PM
to anon at 7:59 AM "probably it can never be..." I think its clear that your'e the failure. Whatever you have to say about me- first of all you dont know me- say it to my face. I'm down here at City Hall. You can email me at devdamvp@yahoo.com to see who the failure is... WHAT A LOSER!!!!!!!
3/17/2007 9:46 PM
After viewing all the stuff over the past several days, can anyone explain to me why (other than to try and make him look bad) did the Lizz and the students go see slay instead of Kent King. It is Kent's decision about the accredition, not slay. I think it is a bad civil lesson to have them go see someone who does not control the events.
3/17/2007 10:24 PM
It makes for great tv . .and Lizz loves to see herself in the spotlight. That is why, dispite sitting on o couch (out of camera view) she chose to speak up, just to make sure she got some tv time as well. It never has been about the students ofr her, just about her ratings, now she can charge a more to those who are foolish enough to buy airtime on her show.
3/19/2007 7:20 AM
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