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Majerus Introduced as new SLU Coach

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, April 30, 2007 at 8:37 PM



Saint Louis University President Lawrence Biondi introduced Rick Majerus as the men's basketball head coach today.

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One More Day of School

By Dan Martin

School officials announced today that Tuesday, May 29, will be a regular school day for all students in the St. Louis Public School District.

The day was originally scheduled for teacher professional development, but the board approved the schedule change to make up for the cancellation of classes last December 1.

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Welcome Interns

By Antonio D. French

Over the next days and weeks, you will be noticing a few new bylines on PubDef.

The interns have arrived! So be nice — and be patient — as these fresh eyes take their first hard looks at St. Louis politics.

And look out for some new flavor and changes to the site as these interns begin to make their contributions to PubDef and our community.

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A Conversation with Jabari Asim

By Antonio D. French



A native St. Louisan and former reporter for several local publications, Jabari Asim's byline can now be regularly seen in the pages of The Washington Post as deputy editor of the book review section. But it is his own book which is earning this "hometown boy made good" national attention.

Asim's book details the history of what is perhaps the most controversial word in our language today: nigger (commonly referred to in polite company as "the N word").

"The N Word: Who Can Say It, Who Shouldn't, and Why" not only looks at the 400 year etymological history of the word, but also its origins in racism and how the use of the word has evolved.

On Sunday afternoon, Asim sat down with PubDef on the corner of 14th Street and Washington Ave, in front of the Geletaria café, to talk about his new book and the word that continues to cause so much pain and controversy.

You can meet Asim tonight at the St. Louis Public Library Central Branch, 1301 Olive Street, at 7:00 p.m. He will be discussing and signing copies of his book. The event is free to the public and all are welcome.

Click here to purchase the book on Amazon.com.

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VIDEO: State of the City Address

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, April 27, 2007 at 7:13 PM



Some highlights from Mayor Francis Slay's 25-minute speech today:

On the City's Population Losses and Gains:

"It is difficult to grasp how far the City has come without remembering how far it had fallen. Between 1950 and 2000, the City’s neighborhoods lost more people, more jobs, buildings, and businesses than New Orleans lost to Hurricane Katrina. Finding our way back has taken time, money, and plenty of hard work."

"The U.S. Census Bureau, which annually estimates population, has agreed that our population last July was 353,837 – an increase from the previous July and the two Julys before it. It is not a dramatic jump – about 6,000 more St. Louisans since the last Census – but it has been a steady and welcome one."

On Crime:

"Crime is not the same in every neighborhood. The vast majority of our neighborhoods are safe places any time. But, some of our neighborhoods are not.

No one should be satisfied – wherever you live – until every child can play outside and walk to school without fear, until every senior citizen can live without bars on the window, and where every parent feels comfortable raising a family."

On Development:

"... we have set aside nearly $2-million dollars in Community Development Block Grant funds to spur neighborhood development in challenged neighborhoods in north St. Louis. Now that elections are over and all of you are firmly seated, Barb [Geisman] will be working with you to see that these funds are put towards uses that have long-term impact.

Third, I intend to work with you and President [Lewis] Reed to continue to use tax increment financing to attract private investment to those City neighborhoods where it is most needed and where TIF will work. And he and I will oppose any blanket policy that seeks to ban or restrict residential TIFs."

On Public Education:

"For decades now, families – both white and African American – have left the City to put their children in good schools in the suburbs. In 1970, more than 100,000 children attended the St. Louis Public Schools. Today, that number is fewer than 33,000. Not only are fewer kids attending the St. Louis Public Schools, but enrollment in City parochial schools is falling as the cost goes up.

Fewer families are sending their kids to St. Louis County Schools as the desegregation settlement is phased out. Our City cannot continue to grow if we continue to lose families because of a shortage of quality, affordable schools.

That’s why it is critically important that we fix the St. Louis Public schools. The St. Louis Public Schools did not fail overnight. They will not be fixed overnight either. But, our children cannot wait and our City cannot wait.

That’s why I support quality charter schools."

On the Election Board:

"Our election board – once a source of scandal and national disgrace – has regained its professionalism. (They now finish counting the votes so fast that we can all go to bed before St. Louis county can.)"

Click here to read the full text of the mayor's speech.

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State of the City Today

By Antonio D. French

Later this morning, in the chambers of the Board of Aldermen, Mayor Francis Slay will deliver his sixth State of the City address.

This is an open thread. What do you think is the state of our city?

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"The Real Deal" with Syl (sans Tim)

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, April 26, 2007 at 9:27 PM

With co-host Tim Person away, Syl Wilson and I had some fun yesterday discussing a wide range of topics, from the field of Democratic Presidential candidates to the "Stop Snitching" movement.



We also talked about Pub Def's more prolific commenters as well as the controversy with the St. Louis Public Schools and the state of public education in America.



Keep up with "the real deal" as told by Syl Wilson and Tim Person on their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/realdealwgnu920am

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Like Crabs in a Barrel

By Antonio D. French

The St. Louis American is at it again. Last week, the paper which bills itself as "the" black weekly became the first media to attack the city's first African-American ever elected as President of the Board of Aldermen — just two days after he was sworn in!

The reason for the attack? Its anonymous "Political Eye" column claimed that it was because the editors at the paper had not received an invitation to the bi-annual swearing-in of Board members (Is that why the American never breaks any stories, because they're waiting to be invited to cover them?), but that isn't really the reason.

Journalists don't get invitations to such things, supporters do. And St. Louis American publisher Dr. Donald Suggs, who endorsed Reed in his historic election, was mailed an invitation to his home address.

(By the way, the American's top-notch photojournalist, Wiley Price, apparently doesn't subscribe to his editor's "wait to be invited" philosophy, because he covered the event.)

So why did the paper's editor attack Reed then? Because editor Chris King has a problem with me.

See, King hates a couple of things about me and my PubDef.net — but as is often the nature of hate, it has more to do with King's own insecurities.

Last year, PubDef.net was the only media to cover a campaign event several black businessmen held for Republican Senator Jim Talent. The Talent campaign invited the American and others to cover the event, but I guess their personal politics got in the way of covering the story. But next week, low and behold, the "Political Eye" writes about and slams the black businessmen for presenting at that meeting a mock failing report card to Talent's opponent and eventual victor, Democrat Claire McCaskill.

"St. Louis American, WTF?" I wrote at the time. "There was no American reporter in the room... but no mention of our exclusive report or photos." The paper responded by calling me a "stealth black Republican."

Then in October, the "Eye" wrote about then-aldermanic candidate Kacie Starr Triplett, a black woman who was trying to become the city's youngest alderman and whose election would ensure blacks would not lose numbers on the Board. "If you want the political support of folks old enough to be your father or grandfather, next time talk to them about your candidacy before you quit your day job," they said.

But King couldn't waste an opportunity to take a shot at me. "Triplett also may not have a pitch-perfect ear for friends, as she is close friends with an avowedly independent local journalist [Antonio French] who seems to have at least one leg in the Republican Party, if attracting exclusive ads from the Jim Talent campaign are any indication."

(Of course, King failed to mention that the Talent campaign also advertised in the American, or that his publisher, Suggs, had in the past given money the campaigns of President George W. Bush and Senator Kit Bond.)

By October 26, I had had enough. "What is you guys' problem over there?" I wrote.

"In the absence of any kind of real reporting (have you broken a single story this year?) you've turned a once-great newspaper into a gossip rag, something people pick up just to see which local African-American you spit at this week."

That remains true. While Pub Def breaks stories, like the one about the Riverview Gardens School District losing its accreditation (which the American re-reports on its website without any attribution), the American is left to report made-up gossip about black officials.

While young African-Americans are out in the streets and in the corridors of City Hall and the State Capitol, and in front of books and computer screens trying to make real improvements to our city, the American focuses every week on tearing those same people down over pettiness.

But it is not just that his paper continues to lose the war for relevance. What Chris King seems to really have been hurt by was that I apparently was the first person to point out in public that King, the author of many of these attacks on black officials, is white.

Now, to be clear, I never attacked the American for having a white editor. Diversity is a beautiful thing, which I practice even in my own home. And I still long for the day when St. Louis has a newspaper with a newsroom that looks like the City of St. Louis and covers the entire city equally and fairly. Hopefully that day will come soon.

Again, the issue is not that King is white, it is that the American hides it that riles people. The American knows just like we all do that if their readers knew who was writing these attacks, they would interpret them differently.

And so here we find ourselves today where the city's new black President of the Board has been attacked twice by the white editor of the city's largest black paper even before he has led his first full meeting.

Is the American positioning itself to be to Reed what Sharon Tyus and Velma Bailey were to Mayor Bosley? When will we learn?

I have extended an olive branch to King, even inviting him out for a drink to sit down face-to-face and work out our differences. He declined.

Instead, it appears the American has found something better than the news to report: personal pettiness.

Like a jilted girl enraged at the sight of an old boyfriend standing with a rival cheerleader, this once-great paper continues to waste its credibility and reputation on short-sighted personal agendas while news happens all around and our people suffer.

We have for the first time an Aldermanic President who has made it a legislative priority to rebuild the long-suffering areas of north St. Louis. I believe we have in Lewis Reed our city's best chance at real economic parity in terms of public and private investment in areas that have for decades been under-served.

It would be beyond unfortunate for King and the American to allow pettiness to stand in the way of progress.

My offer still stands, Chris. A beer and a conversation at The Royale or a continuation of the same kind of personal destructiveness that has held our city back for years?


UPDATE: After exchanging a couple of emails, King and I have agreed to a détente. While we haven't set a date yet for that drink, we both agree that furthering the city and the black community remains a common goal — one that should not be derailed over minor personal beefs.

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Board to Vote on School Closings

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 11:32 AM

The St. Louis School Board will vote tonight on administration recommendations to close several city schools. The five schools on the chopping block are:

Euclid Montessori Elementary School, 1131 N. Euclid Ave. — The building will close, but the District's only Montessori program will continue in the Washington Montessori building next door.

Lafayette 9th Grade Center, 815 Ann Ave. — The 9th grade center will reopen at the Humboldt Middle School building.

Webster Middle School, 2127 N. 11th St. — Students currently attending Webster Middle would be re-enrolled at the nearest neighborhood school.

Turner Branch, 4235 W. Kennerly — According to officials, the main Turner building has the capacity to house the expected enrollment of the new alternative program.

Ashland Elementary Branch, 4415 Margaretta Ave. — There would be no changes in programs and services at Ashland Elementary. However, the Ashland Branch would close. Preschool and kindergarten programs will be housed in the main Ashland building.

The following buildings will be put up for sale:

Ashland Branch - 4415 Margaretta
Central High (old building) - 3616 N. Garrison
DeAndreis - 4275 Clarence
Euclid - 1131 N. Euclid
Gardenville - 6651 Gravois
Lafayette - 815 Ann Ave.
Lexington (current food services building) - 5020 Lexington
Marshall - 4342 Aldine
Marshall Branch - 4322 Aldine
Turner Branch - 4235 W. Kennerly
Webster - 2127 N. 11th

Click here to download the entire facility recommendation.

Tonight's school board meeting will not be at its regular location. Instead, the board will meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Northwest Academy of Transportation & Law, 5140 Riverview Blvd. Click here for the full agenda.

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"Suicide By Cop"

By Antonio D. French

Surprisingly under-reported over the weekend was the realization of every police officer's (and their spouse) nightmare: a crazed gunman intent on killing a cop — or having a cop kill him.

Friday night at approximately 10:00, while top Democrats were wrapping up their annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner at the Renaissance Grand hotel just a few blocks away, a city traffic cop was parked at the southwest curb on Pine at Memorial when suddenly, a Dodge Intrepid traveling south on Memorial rammed the police car.

According to the police report, the officer inside quickly reached for his radio and announced that he had been struck. As the "Officer in need of Aid" was relayed, 21 year-old Mohammad Khaled Alwadi stepped out of the car he intentionally hit the police car with and opened fire at the officer trapped inside.



The officer returned fire. As the suspect was standing near the injured officer’s car, another officer arrived and Alwadi began firing at that officer. He then ran north on Memorial and encountered another officer. The suspect fired three to four shots at that officer striking the passenger side of the police vehicle. That officer returned fire.

Police say Alwadi continued running north on Memorial towards the Peabody Building where he encountered more St. Louis cops and fired shots at them. The officers returned fire, killing the suspect.

Contrary to early media reports that there were two suspects, police now say Alwadi acted alone.

The name of the first police officer from the accident has not been released. He has only been identified as a 36 year-old male officer with 5 years on the Department. He was conveyed to the hospital and is in stable condition. No other officers or citizens were injured the incident.

The incident is being called a unfortunately successful attempt at "suicide by cop", as police report that members of Alwadi's family claimed that he had spoke of committing suicide just before ramming the police vehicle.

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French on "The Real Deal" Today

By Antonio D. French

Listen to "The Real Deal with Syl and Tim" today at 4:00 on WGNU 920AM. Syl Wilson and I will be chatting it up about hot topics while co-host Tim Person takes the day off.

Check back later for video...

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"Blighted" Clayton Land Safe for Now

By Antonio D. French

Yesterday, the Missouri Court of Appeals reversed a trial court decision in favor of property owners fighting to keep their valuable downtown Clayton property from being condemned because of "blight".

"While we note that pursuant to section 353.020(1), an 'area' may include buildings that are not themselves blighted, but which are deemed necessary for the redevelopment, there is a lack of evidence of social liability as to any portion of the area," stated the judges' ruling.

In January, St. Louis County Circuit Judge James R. Hartenbach rendered a decision allowing Centene Redevelopment Corporation to condemn property owned by David Danforth, Dan Sheehan and Debbie Pyzyk so the company can build a multi-use retail area to support its corporate headquarters.



Under Missouri law this meant that Centene could proceed with the condemnation action and all activities related to the decision. However, once papers were filed to appeal the judgment, the Missouri Court of Appeals entered an order to halt any action by Centene until the Court could review the case and make its own decision. Only the Court of Appeals could legally grant a stay and stop the action by Centene.

Tueday's ruling said there was insufficient evidence to support a conclusion that the upscale area in question was a "social liability, and therefore blighted, under either the prior common law standard, or the more recent standard set forth in section 523.261. Therefore, we would hold that the trial court's judgment condemning defendants' properties was in error."

Knowing what this case could affect billions of dollars of development plans across the state, the Appeals Court decided to send the case to the State Supreme Court.

"We would reverse the judgment of the trial court as discussed above; however, because of the general interest and importance of the issues presented in this case concerning the applicable standard of review for a legislative determination of blight, and the consideration of social liability in the context of such a determination, we transfer the case to the Missouri Supreme Court."

Susan C. Ryan contributed to this report.

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EXCLUSIVE: Riverview Gardens is Next, DESE to Recommend Unaccreditation

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, April 23, 2007 at 11:10 AM

PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE

As we reported last week, there was a rumor that the state was moving to strip the Riverview Gardens School District of its accreditation. After a week-long investigation, we can now confirm that that rumor is true.



Pub Def has obtained a copy of an April 6, 2007 letter to school district officials from Becky Kemna, the School Improvement and Accreditation Coordinator for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), in which Kemna clearly states the Department's intentions.

"As a result of the district's performance and financial situation, DESE will recommend to the State Board of Education that the Riverview Gardens School District be classified unaccredited," writes Kemna in the letter we obtained from DESE after a "Sunshine Law" request.

Riverview Gardens has been in the news recently because of the firing and subsequent indictment of its superintendent for alleged misappropriation of funds. But the letter from DESE outlines the district's larger struggles.

According to DESE, between June 30, 2005 and June 30, 2007 the district's cash on hand dropped from $12 million to just $1.6 million. "A decline of over $10 million in two years is significant," wrote Kemna. "The district will likely be considered 'financial stressed' per state law."

DESE is also concerned about the declining academic performance of Riverview Gardens' 8,000 students. According to Kemna, since the 2001-2002 school year, the district's Annual Performance Reports (APR) have shown a declining trend in the district's ability to meet state standards.

"The 2005 and 2006 APRs reflect that the district has not met enough MSIP performance standards to reach provisional or full accreditation," states the letter addressed to Interim Co-Superintendent Dr. Natalie Thomas.

Dr. Thomas told Pub Def that the loss of accreditation for the district now seems "inevitable," but the how and when of it all is still in the air. But it is exactly how — and why — Riverview Gardens is unaccredited which could make all the difference.

If the state decides to strip the district because of academic performance, the Riverview Gardens school board and officials would have two full school years to get their house in order. If the action occurs this month or next, that means they have until 2009. If it doesn't occur until June or July, then they'll have until 2010 before the state takes further action.

However, if the State Board of Education takes away accreditation for financial reasons, state law allows for DESE to step in immediately.

Dr. Thomas, who only a month ago became co-superintendent along with Dr. Rhonda Key following the indictment of former superintendent Henry P. Williams, made it clear that Riverview Gardens would prefer the first option.

"You never want to lose accreditation," said Thomas. "But we would prefer to lose it for academic achievement because it would allow greater opportunity for our community to address our district's problems."

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Interns Announcement This Week

By Antonio D. French

Filed Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 4:13 PM

The field is narrowing and time is running out for area college students interested in being an intern with PubDef.net this summer.

The names of the two people selected for the 8-week guided tour through the world of St. Louis politics will be announced on Friday. Yes, applications are still being accepted, but get them in soon!

Email resumes and cover letters to editor@pubdef.net. Click here to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

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Blunt to Name Givens to Task Force

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, April 20, 2007 at 6:01 AM

READ IT HERE FIRST

Governor Matt Blunt will be in St. Louis today to discuss his new Campus Security Task Force, which was announced after the student massacre at Virginia Tech.

At the press conference, scheduled for 1:45 p.m. at Harris-Stowe State University, Pub Def has learned that Blunt will announce the appointment of Harris-Stowe President Henry Givens to the task force.

Yesterday Blunt announced the selection of AFT agent Michael Boxler, from Lee’s Summit, for one spot on the task force which will be lead by Director of Public Safety Mark James and Dr. Robert Stein, Commissioner of Higher Education.

Last October, Gov. Blunt drew criticism for suggesting that teachers being allowed to carry fire arms was an "interesting idea worth pursuing."

UPDATE:
As we reported earlier, Gov. Blunt did indeed appoint Givens to the task force. Here is the complete list of members:

The governor named the following members to serve on the task force:

Michael Boxler of Lee’s Summit – Missouri Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Kyle Brenneman of Hannibal – Dean of Student Development, Hannibal LaGrange College

Nancy Bush of Jefferson City – Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism Director, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Lynn Carter of Jefferson City – Deputy Director, Missouri Department of Mental Health

David Fedder of St. Louis – Partner, Bryan Cave

Paul Fennewald of Jefferson City – Homeland Security Coordinator, Missouri Department of Public Safety

Kevin French of Springfield – Director of Safety and Security, Drury University

Dr. Henry Givens of St. Louis – President, Harris-Stowe State University

Van Godsey of Jefferson City – Director, Missouri Information Analysis Center

Clarence Green of Maryville – Director of Campus Safety, Northwest Missouri State University

Matthew Headrick of Warrensburg – Criminal Justice Student, University of Central Missouri

James Hughes of Kirksville – Chief of Kirksville Police Department

John Jordan of Jackson – Cape Girardeau County Sheriff

Colonel James Keathley of Jefferson City – Superintendent, Missouri State Highway Patrol

John Kraemer of Cape Girardeau – Associate Professor, Southeast Missouri State University

Thomas Malecek of Town & Country – Director of Corporate Security, Brown Shoe Company

Ron Olinger of St. Joseph – Vice President of Financial Planning and Administration, Missouri Western State University

Mark Potratz of Park Hills – Director of Public Safety, Mineral Area College

Gary Snavely of Springfield – Director of Safety and Transportation, Missouri State University

Don Strom of St. Louis – Chief of Police for Washington University

Rod Surber of Joplin – Director of Public Information, Missouri Southern State University

Dorla Watkins of Parkville – Vice President for Finance and Administration, Park University

Jack Watring of Columbia – Director of University Police, University of Missouri – Columbia

Sheriff Greg White of Jefferson City – Cole County Sheriff

Chuck Witt of Columbia – Assistant Fire Chief, Columbia Fire Department

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Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

By Antonio D. French

There was a time not too long ago when religious leaders in America focused the energies of their flocks on social ills like poverty, education and civil rights. But in recent decades, religious conservatives have refocused those energies on the narrow fights against abortion and homosexuality.

While the country engages in wars which result in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians, with only some notable exceptions, the religious community is largely silent. What happened to the Christian calling for social justice?

The name Kennedy is synonymous with a religious calling leading to social action through politics. The family and their two most famous sons have a legacy of public service that is rooted from their Catholic values and has branched into nearly every arena of public service thanks to a family tree as large as any in Yellowstone.

Earlier this week, I sat down with Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland and the eldest of Robert F. and Ethel Kennedy's 11 children. We discussed her new book, "Failing America's Faithful: How Today's Churches Are Mixing God with Politics and Losing Their Way".



Click here to buy "Failing America's Faithful: How Today's Churches Are Mixing God with Politics and Losing Their Way" on Amazon.com.

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N-Word, Please

By Antonio D. French

Blame it on Imus. The debate over the use of the so-called "N-word" is back in the national discussion. Who can say it? Should anyone say it? Why is it apparently alright for some people to say it and others not?

Jabari Asim is a native St. Louisan and deputy editor of the Washington Post Book World. He has written a very timely book called "The N Word: Who Can Say It, Who Shouldn't and Why". This week he appeared on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" to promote the book and discuss (with some delicate humor) the most controversial word in our language.



Yesterday I appeared on WGNU's "The Real Deal with Syl and Tim" to discuss a wide range of current events. And like at so many dinner tables across America recently, somehow a discussion of the Imus controversy led to a broader discussion about language and the N-word specifically.



Asim will be in St. Louis to discuss his book on Monday, April 30, at the St. Louis Public Library Central Branch, 1301 Olive Street, at 7:00 p. m.

Keep up with "the real deal" as told by Syl Wilson and Tim Person on their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/realdealwgnu920am

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LA Ruling Likely to Impact SLPS?

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 12:50 PM

The UCLA Daily Bruin reports that the California Court of Appeals unanimously ruled this week against a law designed to give Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa substantial personal control over the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The ruling by the three-judge panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal is the second rejection of the law, which was passed by the state Legislature in September 2006.

"The citizens of Los Angeles have the constitutional right to decide whether their school board is to be appointed or elected," Justice H. Walter Croskey wrote in the opinion.

The St. Louis school board recently voted to challenge, in court if necessary, the Missouri Board of Education's decision to strip the elected school board of its power and put it in the hands of a three-person appointed board.

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City Population Up

By Antonio D. French

It what the Mayor's office fairly describes as something of an annual ritual now, the City of St. Louis challenged the US Census Bureau’s estimate of its residential population. For the fourth year in a row, the Census Bureau agreed.

The official estimate of the City’s population (as of July 1, 2006) is 353,837, a gain of 5,648 people, or 1.62%, since the 2000 Census.

Earlier this week, the New York Times published an article about St. Louis City's struggle with population loss over the past 50 years. Click here to read it (log-in required).

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French on "The Real Deal" Today [Updated]

By Antonio D. French

I'll be a guest on "The Real Deal" radio show with hosts Syl Wilson and Tim Person this afternoon during the 4:00 hour on WGNU 920 AM.

Topics of likely discussion include: the swearing-in of new Aldermanic President Lewis Reed and the new legislative session, the St. Louis Public Schools' controversy, local endorsements in the 2008 Presidential race, and more.

UPDATE: Okay, we didn't actually get to any of that stuff. But we did have an interesting conversation on the history of Pub Def, the Virginia Tech shootings, Imus, and the "N-word".

Here's video of the first part of the show, including some BREAKING NEWS about Governor Blunt's visit to St. Louis tomorrow.

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Will This Bridge Ever Get Built?

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 10:19 AM

According to the Belleville News-Democrat, more than two dozen members of the St. Louis political and business elite met downtown last week to talk over options for paying for a new Mississippi River bridge.

There is a new sense of urgency in reaching an agreement on the bridge before Missouri and Illinois miss their chance at $239 million in federal aid.

The day before the meeting, we asked Gov. Matt Blunt if after years of plans, new plans, negotiations, and renegotiations, will this bridge ever get built?

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VIDEO: Challenges Ahead as New Board President, Aldermen Are Sworn In

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 11:00 PM

The day the new and re-elected members of the Board of Aldermen where sworn in, an article in the New York Times highlights the challenges which lay ahead of the city's leaders.

"The city has retained attractions like Forest Park, excellent universities and a vibrant arts scene. But vast sections of North St. Louis show what happens when people leave town in big numbers: What is left is a shell of a city, boarded up, rotting, populated by the most impoverished. Residents, mostly black, are still fleeing these parts of town," writes the Times reporter.

This very issue was the subject of new Aldermanic President Lewis Reed's speech today.

"We will rise and fall as one city," said Reed. If a business closes in north St. Louis, it impacts the people who live in south St. Louis. If there is a vacant, abandoned building in south St. Louis, it affects taxpayers in north St. Louis.

"If we work together and tackle these issues as one St. Louis, St. Louis will be a stronger and safer city," said Reed.

Here is video of today's swearing-in ceremony. Click here to read the full article in today's New York Times.

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VIDEO: The "Real" Swearing-In

By Antonio D. French

Here's video of the swearing-in before the swearing-in.

Little did you know that the swearing-in you see on television is really just ceremonial. The real swearing-in of city officials happens minutes (and sometimes days) before in a smaller, far less crowded place. Today that place was Room 208 (The Kennedy Room) in City Hall.

Immediately following the real swearing-in, performed by City Register Parrie May, the new officials sign the city's official record, making them honest to God elected officials of the City of St. Louis.



Check back later for video of the much more elaborate swearing-in ceremony that took place on the floor of the Board of Aldermen.

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Shepard is Reed's Chief

By Antonio D. French

After weeks of speculation about who the new President of the Board of Aldermen would select as his Chief of Staff, Pub Def can report that Lewis Reed has tapped Thomas Shepard to lead his office.

Shepard, a certified public accountant and principal of the firm Thomas Shepard & Associates, had previously served as Reed's campaign treasurer.

Pub Def can now also report that Antonio French will serve as Reed's political director.

Reed and the new members of the Board will be sworn this morning at City Hall. Check back later today for video.

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Guns, Guns, Guns

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, April 16, 2007 at 11:59 PM

One day after the National Rifle Association, the nation's leading gun lobby, ended its annual conference here in St. Louis, the eyes of the world are on the State of Virginia, where a man armed with a gun murdered more than 30 people today.



After a week of pro-gun press releases pandering to the NRA crowd, Governor Matt Blunt today issued an executive order for all flags at state facilities will be flown at half-staff for the Virginia Tech victims and their loved ones.

"Melanie and I extend our thoughts and prayers to all those who lost a loved one in this senseless tragedy and to everyone at Virginia Tech," said Blunt. "I ask Missourians to join me in praying for those who lost a family member or friend in this terrible act."

Just last week the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 257 which ensures that no Missourian should be denied "possession, transfer, sale, transportation, storage, display, or use of firearms or ammunition during an emergency."

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New Members Prepare for Swearing-In

By Antonio D. French

One day before their swearing-in, the new President and members of the Board of Aldermen were in City Hall today to rehearse for tomorrow's formalities.

New aldermen Sam Moore (4th Ward), Kacie Starr Triplett (6th Ward) and Marlene Davis (19th Ward) got a crash course in aldermanic procedures today as they prepare to make their first motions on the floor of the city's legislative body tomorrow.

The Board's new president, Lewis Reed, was also preparing for his big day tomorrow. See video below of Reed taking the podium for the first time.

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Blunt on HealthNet vs. Medicaid

By Antonio D. French

After the "Missouri Health Improvement Act of 2007" passed the Missouri Senate last week, Democratic Senator Joan Bray (University City) called it "hugely bureaucratic," saying it sends too much money to insurance companies and the bureaucracy of additional levels of people "just pushing papers around."

But Governor Matt Blunt said the program, meant to replace Medicaid, is a positive step in the right direction of providing health care for more Missourians.

In an interview with PubDef.net last week, the governor said the program shifts the state's focus to preventative healthcare.



Click here to read the St. Louis Oracle's take on the Democrats that voted in favor of the bill.

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Is Riverview Gardens Next?

By Antonio D. French

Filed Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 11:54 PM

There is a rumor that Riverview Gardens has been notified that the state is about to step in. Last week we asked Gov. Matt Blunt if state involvement in troubled districts was going to end with St. Louis Public Schools.



UPDATE: Today DESE released the agenda for the State Board of Education's April meeting. It specifically noted that neither the St. Louis City schools nor the Riverview Gardens School Districts will be discussed this month.

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FRANKLIN TO BE NAMED NEW E.D.

By Antonio D. French

Filed Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 11:11 AM

PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE — BREAKING NEWS

Sources tell Pub Def that Ken Franklin will be named Executive Director of the Missouri Democratic Party later today.

Franklin is currently an aide to St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and a former state party staffer. He will be the first African-American to ever hold the influential position.

Check back later for more...

UPDATE: Over the course of several months, a field of 32 potential candidates for the E.D. job was cut down to 16, then 5, then just 3. Of those three candidates, according to Missouri Democratic Party Chairman John Temporiti, Franklin was the unanimous choice of state party officials.

Readers will recall that there was speculation that the sudden resignation of Democratic Party Chairman Roger Wilson back in January was the result of a clash between him, the Legislative Black Caucus, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, and Attorney General and Gubernatorial candidate Jay Nixon over who should be the next E.D.

According to sources, all sides agreed that it was time for an African-American director, but who?

Brandon Davis, McCaskill's former political director, interviewed for the job and actively lobbied officials for weeks. But Wilson told Black Caucus members "no way" on Davis.

But it was the manner and tone in which Wilson told the Caucus "no" that some speculate quickly led to his resignation.

In February, Davis accepted a job as political director for the SEIU MO/KS State Council, taking his name out of the running for E.D. (and saving Wilson from embarrassment should Davis had been appointed despite his stern objections).

Today's appointment of Franklin both satisfies one promise to the strongest part of the Democrats' base and places the Party in the hands of a capable, well-liked director who may be able to build bridges across the state to help the Democrats retake the Governor's office next year.



UPDATE 2: It's official. At 12:45 p.m. the Missouri Democratic Party sent out the following press release.

The Missouri Democratic Party today announced that Ken Franklin from St. Louis will be the party's new Executive Director. The selection was made by Party Chairman John Temporiti and approved by the Missouri Democratic Party's Executive Committee at the quarterly state party meeting today in Jefferson City.

Franklin has served since May 2005 as St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay's Deputy Legislative Director and formerly ran Gov. Bob Holden's St. Louis office. Along with his experience in government, Franklin has also served as Political Director for Mayor Slay's successful 2005 re-election, Base Vote Director for Sen. Jean Carnahan's 2002 campaign, and Press Aid for Freeman Bosley, Jr.'s 2001 mayoral campaign. He has also participated in the St. Louis RCGA's Public Policy Council and the St. Louis Downtown Partnership's Legislative Affairs Committee. Franklin previously worked at the Missouri Democratic Party from 2001-2002 as the Director of Voter Outreach.

"Ken's experience both in government and politics in Missouri make him the ideal choice to continue the momentum the Missouri Democratic Party has built over the last election," said John Temporiti, Missouri Democratic Party Chairman. "Ken brings both the background and enthusiasm to help Missouri Democrats win up and down the ticket in 2008 and beyond."

Ken graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia with a degree in political science. Before entering government and politics, Franklin taught social studies and language arts for two years at Holy Cross School in St. Louis. Ken lives with his wife and one-year-old daughter in St. Louis, where his father, Robert, is a pastor.

He replaces Corey Dillon who left in February to join the U.S. Senate office of Claire McCaskill. Franklin will be the first ever African-American Executive Director of the Missouri Democratic Party when he starts work the week of May 14.

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Are Charter Schools the Future?

By Antonio D. French

Is a system of independent charter public schools the future of urban education? With a waiting list of 10,000 students, the answer appears to be "yes" in Chicago. But what about here in St. Louis?

Recent moves by the Mayor, the Governor, and several legislators suggest that small, independent charters are becoming the chosen alternative (at least for elected officials) to large urban districts that have for decades underperformed.

But what about the performance of charter schools? So far, state testing shows charter students doing no better — and in some cases, considerably worse — than their district counterparts.

However, parents of charter students often point to non-academic factors as reasons they choose charters — safety, discipline, physical condition of the buildings, more professional and assessible facilty, to name a few.

This video, produced by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, highlights some of the successes of our neighbor to the east.



According to data from the INCS, there are about 17,000 pupils enrolled in the 34 public charter schools across Illinois, mostly in Chicago. More than 10,000 students are waiting to get into an Illinois charter public school.

According to a published report, in 2004, 100 percent of Illinois charter schools earned average Illinois Standards Achievement Test and Prairie State Achievement Examination scores higher than those district schools the students otherwise would have attended. Eighty-three percent of charter high school graduates enrolled in post-secondary education.

Data like this, it would appear, is why Mayor Francis Slay and others have pinned their hopes for public education in St. Louis on charter schools.

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Our iTunes Video Podcast Updated

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, April 13, 2007 at 9:48 AM

After months of neglect, the Pub Def Video Podcast has been updated. Click here to subscribe in iTunes.



Following the release of the groundbreaking AppleTV, allowing us to watch video podcasts on our television — further eliminating the need to ever watch broadcast TV — we'll be updating our own podcast much more regularly. So subscribe today to have our new vids automatically download to iTunes on your computer and AppleTV in your living room.

And yes, it's free... But I think now is a great time to remind you about the costs associated with producing this site and these videos (video tapes, microphones, computer upgrades, gas – Oy vey!), and to remind you about that little "Make a Donation" button over there to the left. Hint-hint.

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Gov. Blunt Interview - Part 1

By Antonio D. French

Gov. Matt Blunt on St. Louis Public Schools: "I don't think it can get much worse."

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The Best (or Worst) of O'Brien

By Antonio D. French

Some highlights from the short reign of former School Board President Veronica O'Brien.

Explaining why she gave less than 24 hours notice for a public forum on the closing of Cleveland High...



Hidden camera video of her hanging up Superintendent Diana Bourisaw's phone and yelling obscenities...



Introducing Bourisaw as the new "interim" superintendent...



Explaining why Bourisaw suddenly moved from "interim" to permanent (back when she was against a state takeover)...



Picketed at her home after the firing of Vashon coach Floyd Irons...



There are lots more videos of the many faces of Veronica O'Brien in Pub Def's YouTube video archive now home to 374 exclusive Pub Def videos!

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Ding-Dong, The Witch is Dead

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 11:27 AM

By a vote of 6-0, the St. Louis City School Board today ousted its controversial president.

After a procedural move to change the number of votes required to remove an officer, School Board member Donna Jones made the motion to remove Veronica O'Brien as board president. New member David Lee Jackson seconded.



After the vote, applause came from the audience of parents and district employees.

O'Brien did not attend yesterday's or today's school board meeting.

Also as expected, the new board majority voted today to challenge the district's loss of accreditation.

The Board approved a resolution to request a hearing before the Commissioner of Education, D. Kent King, regarding the accreditation status of the St. Louis Public Schools. State law allows any school board to file such an appeal if the members are dissatisfied with their district’s classification.

Board also voted to authorize the district’s legal counsel to "engage in legal research and dialogue with officials at DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) and take any such action, if necessary, to challenge the creation and authority of the proposed Transitional District and to have the proper authority of the Board declared."

Board member Flint Fowler voted against the action, saying he did not think it was appropriate for the financially-strapped district to spend money in such a way. But board member Peter Downs responded by saying that the district will spend much more if they are forced to pay for city students to attend County school districts as the loss of accreditation would allow under current law.

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Purdy to Lead Board till June

By Antonio D. French

When the St. Louis School Board meets this morning, its new majority won't waste any time in taking the reigns and changing direction of the troubled school district.

The board will vote to remove Board President Veronica O'Brien, who over the past year has become the poster child of the district's dysfunction. Sources say that the Board will not elect a new president at this time and will instead allow Board Vice-President Bill Purdy to lead the Board at least until its normal election of officers in June.

According to the meeting's public agenda, that action will quickly be followed by steps to fight the pending state takeover.

The Board plans to request the State Board of Education to reconsider stripping the St. Louis City schools of their accreditation. They will then authorize the district's legal team to challenge of the authority of the proposed "transitional" board.

This morning's meeting will be at 10:00 in Room 108 0f the Administrative Building, 801 N. 11th Street. Here is the agenda:


OPEN SESSION AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Resolution: Amendment of Bylaw B9120 to change removal of an officer to 5/7th vote of the entire Board.

3. Vote to remove current President from office

4. Resolution: Request for Reconsideration of Unaccredited Classification Designation

5. Resolution: Challenge of the Creation and Authority of the proposed Transitional District and to have the proper authority of the Board declared.

6. Motion to direct Administration to report back to the Board with a plan for bringing building maintenance and food service back in-house.

7. Motion to direct Administration to report back to the Board with a cost estimate and plan for implementing effective smaller classes in low performing schools

8. Motion to direct Administration to report back to the Board on the effectiveness of each purchased professional services and whether each of those services provides value to the school district.

9. Approval of all items listed in the March 29, 2007 Consent Agenda

10. Approval for Ms. Donna Jones, Board Member, to attend the NSBA Annual Conference, April 13 – 17, 2007, San Francisco, California.

11. Legislative Update: Mr. Steven Carroll: St. Louis Public Schools Site Based Pilot Schools Proposal.

12. Motion to go into Closed Session for legal, real estate and personnel matters.


EXECUTIVE SESSION AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Motion to go into Closed Session
4. Legal Matters
5. Real Estate Matters
6. Personnel Matters
7. Motion to adjourn
8. Adjournment

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Public Meetings on School Closings

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 3:43 PM

Two community forums will be held this week (including one tonight) to address concerns about a plan on the table to close more city schools.

Tonight's meeting is from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Carr Lane VPA, 1004 N. Jefferson Ave. Check back later for video.

There is also a meeting scheduled for the same time tomorrow at Roosevelt High School, 3230 Hartford St.

Some highlights from the current proposal:

Three new programs for alternative students will be introduced in three buildings – Ford Elementary Annex, Turner Middle, and Des Peres High School.

Bunche International Studies Middle School students will be relocated to the current Madison Alternative School site at 1118 S. 7th St. There will be no reconfiguration of either Dewey International Studies Elementary or Soldan International Studies High, as was previously recommended.

Students from the Lafayette 9th Grade Center will be relocated to the Humboldt facility. The Lafayette building would then be closed.

McKinley Classical Junior Academy will be expanded. A 9th grade class will be added for the upcoming school year. At the end of 2007-2008, district officials would examine the success of adding grades to the popular gifted magnet program.

All parents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend one of the public meetings and voice concerns to district officials before the plan is voted on by the school board.

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Who's Going to Be the Next Board Prez?

By Antonio D. French

When the school board meets for a special meeting at 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning, the new five-person majority will likely remove Veronica O'Brien as board president and elect new officers. But who will they select as the new president?



THE FACTORS

RACE — The last two board presidents have been African-American women. Eight out of ten children that attend the city's public schools are African-American. Four out of the seven school board members are black. With Governor Matt Blunt selecting a white male from Chesterfield to lead the new "transitional" board, the new school board majority may choose a president that is more reflective of the city.

EXPERIENCE — No board member has more experience with the city schools than Bill Purdy (as evidenced by the fact that in the 1970's he was the high school principal of one of the board's new members, David Jackson, who is no spring chicken himself). But Purdy's past tenure as board president only appears to be the Good Old Days in comparison to the district's controversy and rapid decline since 2003.

The next experienced — and knowledgeable — member of the majority is Peter Downs. Downs is a parent of District students and ran for the board three times before being elected. He is well-known (if not always well-liked) and his St. Louis Schools Watch newsletter keeps hundreds of people informed about what's going on in SLPS.

Donna Jones was elected in April 2006, the same day as Downs, as part of a slate supported by the teachers' union. She is also a parent of District students. Her vocal and emotional involvement with recent anti-takeover demonstrations have earned her many fans for her passion, but has also caused her to be written off by many others as another "angry black woman".

Katie Wessling and David Lee Jackson each have exactly one board meeting under their belts. They are both parents of District students. They were both elected with the lowest voter turnout in St. Louis history. And both showed themselves to be articulate and passionate candidates.

THE CANDIDATES

The new president is most likely to come from the new five-person majority. Even though there is a great deal of respect on the Board for moderate Flint Fowler, whose vote thwarted an attempt months ago to oust Superintendent Diana Bourisaw, his refusal to pursue the presidency before as a concensus alternative to O'Brien will likely leave him off the list this time.

That leaves Purdy, Downs, Jones, Wessling, and Jackson.

Purdy and Downs may be the wrong faces at the wrong time.

Jones may not be able to articulate the message the board needs to convey at this time, that of calm reasurance that O'Brien has been neutralized and stability has returned to the district.

Wessling is a lawyer by profession — something that will surely come in handy over the next year. She and Jackson both are free of the taint of past controversies and can help convince the public that a new day has indeed come to the school board.

Jackson may be the best choice. As stated before, as a new member he doesn't carry the political baggage of the past. His personal story — being a former SLPS student who now serves on the board with his old principal, and a parent of children currently in the district as well as successful SLPS graduates — speaks of the successes of the district at a time when the public knows only of its failures.

So who will it be? Who do you think it should be?

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"That Day is Over" for Board Feuding

By Antonio D. French

The St. Louis Board of Education met Tuesday for the first time since last week's election shifted its balance of power once again.



There was no action taken Tuesday to replace Veronica O'Brien as president. Board VP Bill Purdy announced a special meeting of the board for Thursday at 10:00 a.m. At that time, the board may select new officers and vote to authorize the district's legal team to fight a state takeover.

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Mathis to Children’s Trust Fund

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 4:58 PM

Former St. Louis City Election Board Chairman Kimberley J. Mathis has been appointed to the Children’s Trust Fund Board.

Gov. Matt Blunt's office announced the appointment, which is subject to Senate confirmation, earlier today.

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Blunt Announces Brownfield Tax Credits

By Antonio D. French

Gov. Matt Blunt today announced that 2200 Gravois, LLC, has been approved for $106,251 in Brownfield Redevelopment tax credits from the Missouri Department of Economic Development to renovate and rehabilitate the Polarwave Ice and Fuel building, 2200 Gravois.

The tax credits will facilitate the redevelopment of the property into commercial office, retail, restaurant and residential space, projecting to create an estimated 51 jobs.

The 1.5 story warehouse has been vacant for several years. The southeastern portion of the building currently does not have a roof. The property has been used in the past for manufacturing pens and for the storage and sale of ice and fuel.

The Brownfield Redevelopment Program provides financial incentives for the redevelopment of commercial/industrial sites that are contaminated with hazardous substances and have been abandoned or underutilized for at least three years.

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New School Board Meets Tonight

By Antonio D. French

The St. Louis Board of Education will be meeting for its first administrative meeting since new members Katherine Wessling and David Lee Jackson, Jr. were elected last week.

Wessling and Jackson were sworn in last week even though the St. Louis Board of Elections has yet to certify the April 3rd election results.

In a repeat of an identical situation we reported last year, Election Board officials notifed the school board and their counsel that they believe it is inappropriate — and unlawful — for new members to be sworn-in before the election results are certified.

"As you may recall, Peter Downs and Donna Jones, the two successful candidates for membership on the Board of Education in last April’s General Municipal Election, were sworn in as Members of the BOE the day after the election," wrote Republican Director Scott Leiendecker and Democratic Director Mary Wheeler-Jones.

"Under §115.507 RSMo (2000), the results of an election conducted in the City of St. Louis are not official until they have been certified by the verification board of Board of Election Commissioners..." the April 3 letter states.

"Until certification occurs, and required Campaign Finance Disclosure reports have been filed, it would be inappropriate for the successful candidates in today’s election to be sworn in as Members of the BOE or attempt to act in any official capacity."

It is unclear if Wessling (who is a lawyer), Jackson, and the new board majority (including Downs, Jones and Bill Purdy) will move tonight to replace Board President Veronica O'Brien or save that until their regular board meeting next week.

Tonight's meeting will be in Room 108 of the district's Administrative Building, 801 N. 11th Street, at 7:00 p.m. Check Pub Def later for video.

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Seniority to Make for Ironic Photo Op

By Antonio D. French

Democratic members of the Board of Aldermen met yesterday for their first caucus meeting of the new session. With all but one member of the Board being a Democrat, the meeting is practically an informal meeting of the full body with members letting their committee preferences be known and drawing for seniority.

New 19th Ward Alderman Marlene Davis was one of three Democratic aldermen who did not make the meeting. But despite her absence, and thanks to a motion to allow a colleague to draw for her, Davis will not be the lowest ranking Democrat. That distinction belongs to the new 6th Ward Alderman (who is by coincidence also the youngest city legislator), Kacie Starr Triplett.

Davis, Triplett and 4th Ward Alderman Sam Moore are the three freshmen on the Board.

The Democratic alderman with the most seniority is Ald. Phyllis Young (7th Ward). Although she and Ald. Fred Wessels (13th Ward) have served on the board the same amount of time, Wessels conceded seniority to Young.

Young's most senior status is going to make for an ironic photo op at next week's Board meeting. The downtown alderman was a vocal supporter of former Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury in last month's primary election, even being quoted as saying if his opponent was victorious she would resign her seat on the Board.

Well, next week as the most senior alderman it will fall upon Alderman Young to introduce the new President of the Board, Lewis Reed, and hand him the gavel for the first time.

Call it a case of being misquoted or maybe just saving face, but at yesterday's meeting Young told several colleagues that she never said she would resign if Reed won.

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Good News Re: SLPS

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, April 09, 2007 at 12:18 PM

Not only has Soldan International Studies High School student Jeffery Hall been selected as a Gates Millennium Scholar (one of only 1,000 students out of 11,000 nationwide to be selected), but the 18 year-old has also been accepted to Harvard University.

Lexington Elementary forth grader Jimaniqua Baldwin has won a trip to New York City to perform in the America Scores National Poetry Slam at the HBO Theater on April 30. She will recite her poem "I Remember."

McKinley Classical Junior Academy student Mohamad Syed Ahmad won the district’s National Geographic Bee. Mohamad finished eleventh in the state-level competition, which was held in Columbia, MO on March 30.

Speaking of McKinley CJA, the school's chess team was crowned co-champions in the 6th grade and under division of the 2007 Missouri Junior High/Elementary Chess Championship. In the individual category, student Rio Pimentel is co-champion in the 6th grade and under division.

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Is This What We Call the News?

By Antonio D. French


Pub Def Changes

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, April 06, 2007 at 8:45 AM

Since PubDef.net started 18 months ago, it has basically been a one man operation. The facts you read are as I know them to be true. The opinions expressed here have been my own.

But starting next week, the reports, opinions and views of a few new contributors will be added to the mix.

These invited guests will bring their own unique perspectives to this expanding discussion of local (and soon national) politics, media, education, race, economics, and much more — all while maintaining Pub Def's reputation for accuracy, honesty, speed, and relevancy.

The fun begins Monday.

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SLPS Prepares for White Flight [Updated]

By Antonio D. French

State intervention in St. Louis Public Schools may soon make a bad situation even worse, and ultimately lead to a total collapse of the city's public education system. That's according to the city schools' chief.

In a letter to the State Education Commissioner, City Schools Superintendent Diana Bourisaw warns of hundreds, possibly thousands, of white families looking to send their kids to St. Louis County schools on the city taxpayers' dime.

"We are receiving calls from parents who are seeking entrance into county schools. Most of these calls are from Caucasian parents of children currently enrolled in private or parochial schools," wrote Bourisaw in the letter dated April 2. "Since we do not have a budget for these students, is DESE setting aside funds to pay tuition?"

One of the consequences of the SLPS being stripped of its accreditation is that the already financially-strapped district will now have to pay for city students to attend a neighboring fully accredited County district. This is sure to make the budgeting process for the city schools next to impossible since there is really no way of knowing how many students will choose to attend city schools or how much county tuition the district is expected to pay every year.

Superintendent Bourisaw also warns of a disruption to the district's acclaimed magnet program, which by law requires a racial balance of students. Waiting lists of black students wanting to get into these programs are already a regular occurrence because there are often not enough white students applying for seats.

"We anticipate the exodus of white students from within our magnet schools. Currently our magnet schools barely maintain the racial balance required by the desegregation agreement. Should this occur, our magnet schools will be out of compliance by fall. As a result, they may need to close," wrote Bourisaw.

Bourisaw warns the exodus of white and black students due to unaccreditation and charter schools will place the district on the brink of insolvency.




UPDATE: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education today issued a detailed list of questions and answers about the St. Louis Public Schools’ impending loss of accreditation and its impact on students, families and neighboring school districts.

The State Board of Education voted last month (March 22) to classify the St. Louis Public Schools as “unaccredited,” with an effective date of June 15, 2007. Under state law, St. Louis students may have the opportunity to transfer to an accredited district in St. Louis County, at the expense of the St. Louis district.

State education officials compiled the following information from questions they have received to date from parents, legislators and school officials.

1. Can the St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) appeal the State Board of Education’s decision to classify the district as unaccredited? How long will an appeal take? Will an appeal change the date for the loss of accreditation?

The St. Louis Board of Education has 30 days from the date of the State Board of Education’s decision (March 22) to appeal to the commissioner of education. There is no prescribed time for a response. It is unknown whether an appeal might affect the June 15 date for the district to become unaccredited.

2. There have been reports that various parties may file lawsuits to challenge the state’s actions regarding the SLPS. Would such action change any of the events slated for June 15?

Litigation is always possible. We will not speculate about what impact a lawsuit might have on the future course of events.

3. There are many questions about the ability of SLPS students to transfer to other districts when the district becomes unaccredited. Where can they go? When? Will a single agency handle the transfer requests?

State law (Section 167.131) gives students in an unaccredited district the opportunity to transfer to an accredited district in the same or an adjoining county. Accredited districts, however, have the authority to accept or reject non-resident students based on their own policies and on their capacity. For SLPS students, the opportunity to transfer does not exist until after June 15, 2007 – and, therefore, not until the 2007-08 academic year.

Each school district in St. Louis County must decide whether it will accept transfer students from the St. Louis Public Schools (in addition to any students the district may now be serving through the VICC program), and how many additional students it will accept.

State education officials are not aware of any efforts to create a “clearinghouse” to deal with these issues. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not plan to assume this function.

4. Who will be eligible to transfer from the SLPS? Students in private and parochial schools? Charter schools? Must they enroll in the SLPS first?

The law (Section 167.131) states that any resident student in an unaccredited school district has the opportunity to transfer at that district’s expense to an accredited district. (Emphasis added.) In the case of the St. Louis Public Schools, “resident students” include those presently enrolled in a public, private, parochial, charter or home school.

Although it is not mandatory that students formally enroll in the school district before they could transfer, the SLPS has the authority to establish a process for verifying the residency of students who seek to transfer out of the district.

Students who reside in St. Louis County and currently attend a magnet school in St. Louis may not attend a different St. Louis County school district after the SLPS is unaccredited.

5. Who is responsible for payment of tuition for St. Louis students who transfer to accredited school districts?

According to state law (Section 167.131.1), the St. Louis Public Schools will be responsible for such tuition payments. The SLPS also may be responsible for the cost of transportation for transfer students, consistent with the provisions of Section 167.241, RSMo.

6. What is the tuition rate for students attending an accredited district?

Each school district that accepts transfer students from an unaccredited school district may charge its current tuition rate, according to the provisions of Section 167.131.2, RSMo. The tuition rate may vary according to the students’ grade levels.

7. Who determines how transportation will be provided for St. Louis students who transfer to accredited schools?

Under Section 167.131, the district of residence (St. Louis) must designate a district or districts to which transportation will be provided at no cost for students who elect to transfer. The statute does not limit the number of students who may be transported.

St. Louis must designate at least one accredited district to which it will provide transportation, but it may designate more than one.

8. Does the loss of accreditation by the SLPS affect compliance with the desegregation settlement agreement?

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is not in a position to comment about compliance with the settlement agreement. Guidance on this question should come from the parties’ own legal counsel.

9. What happens if there are financial shortfalls in the SLPS?

Budget issues that may occur within the St. Louis Public Schools will remain the responsibility of the governing body of the district which is in place at any point in time. State funds made available to the SLPS are determined by state appropriation and distributed according to the provisions of state law.

10. What impact does the reclassification of the St. Louis Public Schools have on agreements between school districts in St. Louis County and the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation (VICC)?

The role of the VICC is a function of the desegregation settlement agreement. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is not in a position to comment about compliance issues under that agreement. Guidance on this question should come from the parties’ own legal counsel.

11. Are St. Louis County school districts required to make space available for SLPS transfer students up to the class-size standards (minimum or desirable) set by the state?

Each school district in St. Louis County must decide whether it will accept transfer students from the St. Louis Public Schools (in addition to any students the district may now be serving through the VICC program), and how many additional students it will accept. Each St. Louis County district may use its own criteria to determine what its capacity is to accept transfer students in various grade levels.

12. Could a county district establish a “satellite” location in the city for purposes of accepting transfer students from the city?

State law (Section 177.091.3) provides that a board of education may acquire additional grounds when needed for school purposes. If the directors of both school districts involved agree, such grounds may be located outside of the boundaries of the district and operated for school purposes.

13. In light of possible appeals and legal challenges, what is the likelihood that the SLPS will remain unaccredited during 2007-08?

The Department will not speculate about what impact a lawsuit might have on the future course of events.

14. If the SLPS remains unaccredited for 2007-08, when will it be reviewed for possible reclassification?

Review of the classification of the St. Louis Public Schools will be based upon academic progress within the district. District officials also may request a re-review of the district’s status at any time they believe it may qualify for provisionally accredited or accredited status.

15. Will summer school be required for all under-performing students in the St. Louis Public Schools this year?

No.

16. Will the SLPS be required to retain students who are performing below grade level in their current grades for the upcoming school year?

No.

17. Do parents have to wait until June 15 to contact St. Louis County school districts about possible student transfers?

No.

18. Will students be able to transfer to non-public schools at the expense of the SLPS?

No.

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Jennings Mayoral Race

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, April 04, 2007 at 9:52 AM

Jennings is a city which has an 85% African-American population, yet has never elected a black mayor. In fact, it has very few black police officers and even less black firefighters. In short, it's like South Africa before Mandela was freed, minus the diamonds and tourism.

Yesterday, voters had a choice between the incumbent Mayor Ben Sutphin (who is white) and two black candidates, Yolonda Fountain-Henderson and Herman Barnes, Jr. Here are the results:

Sutphin — 48.06% (792 votes)
Henderson — 33.98% (560 votes)
Barnes — 17.96% (296 votes)

With a voter turnout of only 17.5%, by less than half of the total vote, Mayor Sutphin won re-election.

What are the lessons here?

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Eminent Domain Documentary

By Antonio D. French

"Begging for Billionaires" is a documentary that examines the expanding use of eminent domain for private profit in America — specifically, Kansas City, Missouri.







* Pub Def is still on semi-vacation till April 9.

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The 23rd Annual Wine and Roses Ball

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