By Antonio D. French
Filed Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 5:14 PM
From the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Labels: Schools
At the request of Superintendent Diana Bourisaw, DESE has canceled an appeal hearing that had been scheduled for next Tuesday, May 22, regarding the accreditation status of the St. Louis Public Schools.
St. Louis school district officials intend to submit their appeal of the State Board of Education’s recent decision to de-accredit the St. Louis Public Schools in writing. In a letter sent to Dr. Bourisaw today, Commissioner of Education D. Kent King said he would allow the school district until May 28 to submit its written appeal.
The State Board of Education voted on March 22 to classify the St. Louis Public Schools as "unaccredited," effective June 15. Under state policy, the school district may appeal that decision to the commissioner of education, who will decide whether to ask the State Board of Education to reconsider its original decision.
UPDATED: The following statement is from St. Louis Public Schools:
State education officials have agreed to postpone their hearing regarding the accreditation status of the St. Louis Public School District (SLPS) at the request of Diana Bourisaw, superintendent of SLPS. The hearing had been scheduled for May 22.
"The postponement will provide us the opportunity to meet with DESE staff regarding the data and formulas they used to make the determination on our accreditation status," Bourisaw said.
In lieu of a public forum, the Commissioner of Education, D. Kent King, has also agreed to allow SLPS to submit evidence and testimony in writing. The Board of Education will file its appeal material on or before May 28.
8 Comments:
In lieu of a public forum? Who's idea was this? The article says that DESE agreed to this. Does that mean that the SLPS (somebody) ASKED to submit the appeal in writing rather than have a public forum?
If so, I'd bet Kent King and Co. are delighted!
5/17/2007 7:58 PM
Always knew King and Bourisaw were "in bed together."
5/18/2007 6:25 AM
King is delighted by having to put his shabby findings and additional requirements put on the SLPS in writing where it is on the record for all to see? You two are way off base.
5/18/2007 11:48 AM
Are you saying that I am off base believing that King would be relieved to not have to hold a public forum? I don't think I am.
I believe he would rather deal with stacks of paper than the public. Were you at the Jeff. City meeting? Were you at the public forum at Harris-Stowe? If so, do you think Dr. King would want to face that?
Is King now forced to put the opinions of DESE and their justifications for a takeover in writing? Are you sure? From what I read, the schools and Dr. Bourisaw are the ones who must make their case, not DESE. All DESE has to say is "no" (or "yes") and quote the Danforth report or similar document. This is just an appeal to what has already been decided by the exact same people.
Either way, I still say that the Mo. School Board and DESE are happy to not have to face the public.
Or I could be way off base.
I agree if you are saying that the findings of DESE were flawed and additional requirements are being placed on us.
(Just a reminder...the Danforth Report provides for other ways to justify a takeover. Including the label of "financially distressed")
5/18/2007 6:51 PM
If the SLPS puts their data in writing and submits it and DESE says no, then it is on written record that the SLPS wasn't treated fairly. That is more helpful than having a mob show up and give pundits who know nothing about the situation another excuse to shake their heads and say "good thing the state took over."
5/18/2007 7:58 PM
Bourisaw couldn't round up the "usual suspects" to create disorder at the "Public Forum" and thusly decided to put it in writing.
5/18/2007 8:37 PM
Anon at 7:58...What some call disorder, others think of as civic duty. I don't believe the SLPS can "win" the fight with the state without public demonstrations, etc. Arguing on paper is what bureacrats do best...why would opponents of a takeover want to limit their tactics to what the other guy does best? You are correct that it should not appear to be a "mob" though.
The data is going to be in writing, anyway. What is more effective, mailing DESE the information in an envelope or handing it to him with hundreds of people behind you and the cameras running?
Anon at 8:37...Any proof of Dr. Bourisaw trying to round up people to create disorder, or did you just decide to throw that out there anonymously?
5/19/2007 11:10 AM
I wish I knew more about the legal proceedings likely to occur.
It seems a given, that the appeal will fail----these are the same people Bourisaw just chastized for deciding to sponsor a charter school. (I am not a lawyer---but i have to wonder just how legal that will be).
From what Bourisaw has done, I get the feeling that she has a strategy, but i cannot discern what it is.
I still want to know what court has to act, and within how many days------is it the court that s will still have a democrat majority even after Ronnie White resigns?
All the players are known---Kinder, the state board (whose president from Branson contributes millions of dollars to republicans), Bourisaaw, the new 7 member board--- but the lawyers and judges---who are they?
Will Jay Nixon have to quickly do something to defend the state?
Antonio once alluded to the possibility of an injunction (temporary--how temporary) as late as June 15th.
It might get interesting. or not.
5/19/2007 11:47 AM
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