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Kristen Hinman of The Riverfront Times posted a story yesterday on their blog about Susan Turk's recent email about me and my involvement, as an advisor to Lewis Reed, with the selection of Richard K. Gaines, one of the members of the Special Advisory Board of St. Louis Public Schools.
"... for my money, for Antonio to be on a payroll collaborating with the installation of the Trans Board and then to go off and complain about it in print amounts to highly questionable behavior," wrote Turk.
As a frequent reader of PubDef.net (and the St. Louis American), Susan was well aware of my role as political director for President Reed. She also knows that I am strongly against the state takeover. Still, all she needed to hear was that Richard Gaines is a member of the Black Leadership Roundtable before she concluded that the fix was in and I had flipped sides.
"My ass," I told the RFT. "The thing that Susan is missing -- and really a lot of folks on that side are missing -- is they sometimes don't know when they've got a friend."
Too many takeover opponents have adopted the "with us or against us" position expressed by a Local 420 member at the last meeting of the SAB: "If you want to help the children, then resign," he told Gaines.
As if the Transitional School District is going to disappear because only the governor's and the mayor's selections were left to decide its direction.
President Reed, Richard Gaines and I all oppose the state takeover of St. Louis Public Schools. But none of us have the power to stop it at this point. This situation will ONLY be decided in the courts or in the state legislature.
In the meantime, President Reed has selected someone to serve on the board who clearly has the most experience with St. Louis Public Schools (as student, parent, school board member, school board president, and behind-the-scenes player), someone who will not tolerate any plan for a wholesale dismantling of the district (not that such a plan has been proposed), and someone who will demand that the board operates like a responsible public body.
What Susan and I have here, perhaps, is a difference of philosophy. Can someone do more good from the inside than outside?
But, really, that's not even the question we have here.
Foes of the takeover will continue to defend traditional public education from outside of the new state-controlled system and fight for our city to regain local control of our schools.
At the same time, we will have some voices inside the process fighting to make sure, at the very least, the situation does not get worse and that our city does not have a repeat of the Roberti period, when the powers that be ran the district like a private corporation intent on protecting its trade secrets.
Susan does have a friend in me — and in Richard Gaines and President Reed — even if she didn't realize it at first.
At the last SAB meeting, I captured Turk quizzing Gaines on a range of topics, including his role on the Roundtable, a group which, despite his membership (Percy Green, another vocal takeover critic, is also a member), he strongly disagreed with many of its decisions regarding SLPS.
I'm not sure, but I think by the end of the video, Susan learns that she and Gaines agree on most things.
One more thing: The RFT's story is called "French Bread". Come on, guys. You can be more clever than that.
Okay, two: Hinman also gives me a bit more credit than I deserve, I did not run Lewis Reed's aldermanic president campaign. I was just part of the team.
Come on French you can't handle the heat. You can post it without review about others so stop crying. Say one thing about French and you jump out of your skin. Try reviewing some of the beyond slanderous personal comments that you allow on your blog. Now you are walking around with amicropphone hidden in your pocket. One thing for sure you and Bourisaw deserve each other as she does the same thing. I hear she has them hidden in departments at the district. The question is where on her body does she hide it when. Grow up and get serious.
I am so glad you responded to Susan Turk's comments. It seems that she, as well as many others that are against the transitional board, complain and complain but what are they doing to help improve the district? The elected board wants to know what the trans. board's action plan is but does the elected board even have a plan? Probably not! They are so busy worrying about fighting the state take over that they are not even thinking about educating the children. As usual, another elected board has lost sight of the reason they are in their position!
As soon as i saw the name, I googled gaines---and saw something that did not exactly fit.
With Sullivan, there was no real surprise---but he could be a wild card for Blunt and Slay because his general intelligence is so far superior to theirs.
Slay's choice seems about what one would expect---maybe a little better.
Now that i read this---the something i saw which caught my eye when i googled him makes perfect sense.
He has a background in fighting for the rights of people to vote----especially against those artificial hoops to jump through so dear to republicans. He knows people have been disenfranchised by this.
I still have hopes thaqt worst fears will not materialize with this transition board.
I believe jay Nixon needs to have a lot of pressure put on him to address questions related to this takeover, for two reasons.
1. In the absence of school board elections, he represents one chance for st. louis voters to exert some control over the board.
If Sullivan and the state board start too far down the road of charter school outsourcing, or even vouchers, (with the alarming load of religious right members on the state board), then Sullivan could be replaced by a democratic governor, and with Gaines, there would be a reasonably representative board.
2.Other school districts need to start thinking about the future implications of what the state board of creationists is trying to create. They need to start thinking about who should appoint the next 4 or 5 members to the state board.
Antonio, think about the fact that the opponents to state take-over (and I know you are one) keep talking about disenfranchised voters, uncertain conditions for staff. They insist that anyone who is on their side embrace every pronouncement they make. And so they miss the fact that you are a loyal friend. They miss the fact that others, who pursue different tactics, may be completely sincere in their effort to help. Local 420 and Susan Turk are so rigid in their focus that they truly do not see the forest for the trees.
Antonio's advice is practical...its just that accepting Mr. Reed represents "giving up" in a way. (I don't mean anything against the man, from what I have seen he seems to be very well suited for the job.) I mean giving up the fight for (immediate) control of the school board. Not an easy thing to do for some...
Just a thought...every day that goes by gives the SAB greater authority both in the minds of the politicans (and yes, judges ARE politicians) but more importantly in the minds of the parents & public.
Also, it is worth noting that while Susan Turk is an active union member, it sounded to me as if she was acting in her role as writer/editor of the "SchoolsWatch", not as a representative of the union.
So those that think there will be no more school board elections are wrong.
I think that is an important point. Even though there is no power attached, the board can be part of the general public opinion to which even the appointed board must pay some heed. The three members can be replaced as the politicians who appointed them change.
By the way---I have no idea how to use those tags---no matter what i do---they do not function---they just block my ability to post.
Well, with her highness's many disdistorted and false accusations against numerous people, it is wise for everyone to carry a microphone and a video camera. You never know how she will misquote you.
A word to the wise! All boy scouts and girl scouts practice your motto: "Be prepared."
kjoe, If you want to use the tags...let's use bold for an example...
type the HTML before the word you want to be bold...then type the word...then type the tag again but add a forward slash between the first carat (looks like a less-than sign) and the "b".
Make sense? Kinda hard to explain without being able to show you.
Your HTML cannot be accepted: Tag is not closed: ###
I do not know what to do with the b with the less than or more than sign on each side of it. no matter where I put it, or them i get cannot be accepted.
I wouldn't worry too much Antonio. When I attempted a run for the school board, I requested to join the yahoo groop Open SPSP (yes you have to request to join and be granted permission to join a group that supposedly invites open discussions about the schools). Ms. Turk would be quick to answer any questions that I posed to the group, and after the election, went as far as to answer for the newly elected board members who suddenly fell silent in the group.
Then when Mr. clemmons of the union suggested that the state stop wasting money on the takeover and spend it on the kids, I questioned if spending 25,000 on the media campaign was a waste...I was summarily booted from the group.
At least you can't get booted from your own blog.
And yes, they could have been more creative than French Bread
Anonymous said... Well, with her highness's many disdistorted and false accusations against numerous people, it is wise for everyone to carry a microphone and a video camera. You never know how she will misquote you.
A word to the wise! All boy scouts and girl scouts practice your motto: "Be prepared."
It becomes so clear everytime you open your mouth why you lost the election. Of course the elected board has a plan and if you ever showed up at a meeting instead of just guessing at what's being done, you would know that.
I've seen your postings on the OPEN site and you are once again mistaken about Mrs. Turk answering for you. The people on that site are more than capable of answering for themselves and do it all the time.
Well Anonymous....or whatever your name is. Come out behind the cover.
If you have access to that elite group OPEN SPSP, then go back and read the posts of mine where I asked questions of the new board members...and see who answered them...Susan. The new board members fell silent because they got the votes they wanted.
No, let me rephrase that. Katie does post, but not nearly as much as she did before the election. Jackson...he's gone. He didn't even defend himself when there were questions of him resigning.
I told that group when I first joined that I may not win the election but at least I will ask the questions people want answers too but are afraid to ask.
You obviously are one that is afraid of what that answer may be and therefore wall yourself up behind anonymous, closing your mind to different opinions, and cutting down or cutting off those that have views that differ from your own.
If the site is exclusive to a few, then it kinda restricts itself. In other words, if it is only for those select few, it doesn't have much influence does it?
Does anyone know the FACTS? Is it open to all or what?
I do have quite a bit on my plate since the election, as well as having two young children who did not see me very much for quite a few months in there who need me too. I believe I have responded to the questions asked of me on the OPEN group, as well as to any other direct communication by a constituent since the election. My email is katherine.wessling@slps.org--email me with any question you have regarding my actions as a board member and I'll answer it.
38 Comments:
Be careful, don't make the blog too much about yourself. It will lose its great value.
I am only speaking as an avid reader of the blog, and the blog's creator can certainly do what he damn well pleases.
6/27/2007 9:47 AM
That's good advice that I plan to follow.
6/27/2007 10:02 AM
Come on French you can't handle the heat. You can post it without review about others so stop crying. Say one thing about French and you jump out of your skin. Try reviewing some of the beyond slanderous personal comments that you allow on your blog.
Now you are walking around with amicropphone hidden in your pocket.
One thing for sure you and Bourisaw deserve each other as she does the same thing. I hear she has them hidden in departments at the district. The question is where on her body does she hide it when. Grow up and get serious.
6/27/2007 10:57 AM
Veronica-----
I think you and your brother should have your own blog---argue with each other---argue with everybody else---
Whether i agree or not, i usually enjoy reading your commentary.
I think the potential for attention is very high---and would provide a perspective like none other in this town.
6/27/2007 12:01 PM
I am so glad you responded to Susan Turk's comments. It seems that she, as well as many others that are against the transitional board, complain and complain but what are they doing to help improve the district? The elected board wants to know what the trans. board's action plan is but does the elected board even have a plan? Probably not! They are so busy worrying about fighting the state take over that they are not even thinking about educating the children. As usual, another elected board has lost sight of the reason they are in their position!
6/27/2007 12:14 PM
As soon as i saw the name, I googled gaines---and saw something that did not exactly fit.
With Sullivan, there was no real surprise---but he could be a wild card for Blunt and Slay because his general intelligence is so far superior to theirs.
Slay's choice seems about what one would expect---maybe a little better.
Now that i read this---the something i saw which caught my eye when i googled him makes perfect sense.
He has a background in fighting for the rights of people to vote----especially against those artificial hoops to jump through so dear to republicans. He knows people have been disenfranchised by this.
I still have hopes thaqt worst fears will not materialize with this transition board.
I believe jay Nixon needs to have a lot of pressure put on him to address questions related to this takeover, for two reasons.
1. In the absence of school board elections, he represents one chance for st. louis voters to exert some control over the board.
If Sullivan and the state board start too far down the road of charter school outsourcing, or even vouchers, (with the alarming load of religious right members on the state board), then Sullivan could be replaced by a democratic governor, and with Gaines, there would be a reasonably representative board.
2.Other school districts need to start thinking about the future implications of what the state board of creationists is trying to create. They need to start thinking about who should appoint the next 4 or 5 members to the state board.
6/27/2007 12:21 PM
That's not a microphone, Veronica. I'm just glad to see ya.
6/27/2007 12:23 PM
Antonio, think about the fact that the opponents to state take-over (and I know you are one) keep talking about disenfranchised voters, uncertain conditions for staff. They insist that anyone who is on their side embrace every pronouncement they make. And so they miss the fact that you are a loyal friend. They miss the fact that others, who pursue different tactics, may be completely sincere in their effort to help. Local 420 and Susan Turk are so rigid in their focus that they truly do not see the forest for the trees.
6/27/2007 12:27 PM
Antonio's advice is practical...its just that accepting Mr. Reed represents "giving up" in a way. (I don't mean anything against the man, from what I have seen he seems to be very well suited for the job.) I mean giving up the fight for (immediate) control of the school board. Not an easy thing to do for some...
Just a thought...every day that goes by gives the SAB greater authority both in the minds of the politicans (and yes, judges ARE politicians) but more importantly in the minds of the parents & public.
Also, it is worth noting that while Susan Turk is an active union member, it sounded to me as if she was acting in her role as writer/editor of the "SchoolsWatch", not as a representative of the union.
6/27/2007 12:51 PM
Im sorry, I meant "accepting Mr. Gaines" not Mr. Reed.
6/27/2007 12:56 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.
6/27/2007 1:05 PM
Just something to note, there still will be a local school board that is eleced by the citizens. That does not go away as the SAB takes control.
So those that think there will be no more school board elections are wrong.
6/27/2007 1:51 PM
==That's not a microphone, Veronica. I'm just glad to see ya.==
Man they are making those electronics smaller and smaller, these days. Hee Haw!
6/27/2007 2:15 PM
So those that think there will be no more school board elections are wrong.
I think that is an important point. Even though there is no power attached, the board can be part of the general public opinion to which even the appointed board must pay some heed. The three members can be replaced as the politicians who appointed them change.
By the way---I have no idea how to use those tags---no matter what i do---they do not function---they just block my ability to post.
6/27/2007 2:19 PM
I am a karaoke operator---so, even though I am glad to see her, she cannot know for Shure.
6/27/2007 2:30 PM
not sure either.
6/27/2007 2:33 PM
Well, with her highness's many disdistorted and false accusations against numerous people, it is wise for everyone to carry a microphone and a video camera. You never know how she will misquote you.
A word to the wise! All boy scouts and girl scouts practice your motto: "Be prepared."
6/27/2007 4:14 PM
kjoe,
If you want to use the tags...let's use bold for an example...
type the HTML before the word you want to be bold...then type the word...then type the tag again but add a forward slash between the first carat (looks like a less-than sign) and the "b".
Make sense? Kinda hard to explain without being able to show you.
6/27/2007 4:36 PM
Let's see---
the HTML ###Shure 57 microphone###
I wanted Shure 57 microphone to appear bold.
Your HTML cannot be accepted: Tag is not closed: ###
I do not know what to do with the b with the less than or more than sign on each side of it. no matter where I put it, or them i get cannot be accepted.
6/27/2007 6:08 PM
ok, type this exactly except substitute a "less than sign" for the number 1 and a "greater than sign" for the number 2.
1b2Shure microphone1/b2
6/27/2007 6:15 PM
ahuere mike
if this works, it is / that was the tricky part.
6/27/2007 8:09 PM
I am going to be areal menace with these new toys!
6/27/2007 8:13 PM
Too late...you already ARE a real menace.
6/27/2007 8:16 PM
I wouldn't worry too much Antonio. When I attempted a run for the school board, I requested to join the yahoo groop Open SPSP (yes you have to request to join and be granted permission to join a group that supposedly invites open discussions about the schools). Ms. Turk would be quick to answer any questions that I posed to the group, and after the election, went as far as to answer for the newly elected board members who suddenly fell silent in the group.
Then when Mr. clemmons of the union suggested that the state stop wasting money on the takeover and spend it on the kids, I questioned if spending 25,000 on the media campaign was a waste...I was summarily booted from the group.
At least you can't get booted from your own blog.
And yes, they could have been more creative than French Bread
6/27/2007 9:54 PM
"The French Connection" works better on so many levels. Aye Popeye?
Except for, its about drugs. Oh never mind.
French Bread it is. Crusty, n'est ce pas?
6/27/2007 10:51 PM
"Crusty" il est sauf si le pain est cru. Juste une observation de ma part.
Antonio, sois sage et merci beaucoup pour ce (cette?) blog; à bientôt!
6/28/2007 8:16 AM
Is French saying that he and Reed put someone on this board that does not care about education or children and then walk away from it.
6/28/2007 9:22 PM
What? Can you read?
6/28/2007 9:40 PM
I thik we all know who wrote this..
Anonymous said...
Well, with her highness's many disdistorted and false accusations against numerous people, it is wise for everyone to carry a microphone and a video camera. You never know how she will misquote you.
A word to the wise! All boy scouts and girl scouts practice your motto: "Be prepared."
6/27/2007 4:14 PM
6/28/2007 10:06 PM
Jason Spray -
It becomes so clear everytime you open your mouth why you lost the election. Of course the elected board has a plan and if you ever showed up at a meeting instead of just guessing at what's being done, you would know that.
6/29/2007 12:56 AM
Morris -
I've seen your postings on the OPEN site and you are once again mistaken about Mrs. Turk answering for you. The people on that site are more than capable of answering for themselves and do it all the time.
6/29/2007 1:02 AM
Well Anonymous....or whatever your name is. Come out behind the cover.
If you have access to that elite group OPEN SPSP, then go back and read the posts of mine where I asked questions of the new board members...and see who answered them...Susan. The new board members fell silent because they got the votes they wanted.
No, let me rephrase that. Katie does post, but not nearly as much as she did before the election. Jackson...he's gone. He didn't even defend himself when there were questions of him resigning.
I told that group when I first joined that I may not win the election but at least I will ask the questions people want answers too but are afraid to ask.
You obviously are one that is afraid of what that answer may be and therefore wall yourself up behind anonymous, closing your mind to different opinions, and cutting down or cutting off those that have views that differ from your own.
6/29/2007 10:20 PM
Morris-
I've seen your postings. Did it ever occur to you that since taking office they are busier than before? Jobs, children, meetings?
Hmmm
6/30/2007 2:46 AM
If the site is exclusive to a few, then it kinda restricts itself. In other words, if it is only for those select few, it doesn't have much influence does it?
Does anyone know the FACTS? Is it open to all or what?
6/30/2007 10:39 AM
" Anonymous said...I thik we all know who wrote this.." 6/28/2007 10:06 PM
Whoopee! I think I've got someone fooled, and she will constantly blame someone else! This is fun!
6/30/2007 2:54 PM
==I've seen your postings. Did it ever occur to you that since taking office they are busier than before? Jobs, children, meetings?==
Busier after the election than before and during? Does not hold water. Next excuse, please.
6/30/2007 3:56 PM
I do have quite a bit on my plate since the election, as well as having two young children who did not see me very much for quite a few months in there who need me too. I believe I have responded to the questions asked of me on the OPEN group, as well as to any other direct communication by a constituent since the election. My email is katherine.wessling@slps.org--email me with any question you have regarding my actions as a board member and I'll answer it.
7/01/2007 9:41 PM
As I pointed out in my earlier post, Katie has answered most of the questions posed to her before and after the election. The others, not so well.
And Katie, no one would fault you for always placing your own kids above all else.
7/02/2007 6:36 PM
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