By Antonio D. French
Filed Friday, July 14 at 10:51 PM
Board member Bob Archibald called tonight's ouster of Superintendent Creg Williams "despicable" and "St. Louis at its worst." He also told reporters that he thinks the state should come in to take control of St. Louis Public Schools.
Archibald was joined in his call for a state takeover by Mayor Francis Slay who tonight told television reporters that Williams was SLPS' best chance for reform. The next best shot is a state takeover, said the mayor.
The mayor's statement adds merit to rumors we reported on earlier this week that had Slay and board member Ron Jackson in contact with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requesting them to step in at the earliest opportunity.
The four board members that voted in favor of letting Williams go (Veronica O'Brien, Bill Purdy, Peter Downs, and Donna Jones) didn't have much to say to the media tonight and offered no justifications for their actions.
12 Comments:
Wasn't that (a State takeover) the point of replacing Hammonds with Roberti in the first place?
Friday, July 14, 2006 11:22:34 PM
Archibald would love to no longer have to go to school board meetings.
Friday, July 14, 2006 11:27:07 PM
The way the board majority has handled things, they may have given DESE grounds for a state takeover.
Having to have a heavy police presence to protect the board members is "deja vu all over again" with the threats that the Clinkscale board and Roberti got.
Buying out Creg's contract is a wonderful way to spend money in these financially distressed times.
Thank you Antonio for the videos!
Friday, July 14, 2006 11:38:16 PM
Wow! It didn’t take long for the picture motif to change. No offense Mr. French but couldn’t you have waited for a picture that corresponds with the rest of the photo collage. Now the masthead looks like a really bad political cartoon. At least crop the white border and drop the color.
Otherwise keep up the good work of keeping us informed and up to date with your articles and letting us bloggers make comments.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 12:20:14 AM
ARCHIBALD need to get somewhere and sit down. He was instrumental in creating this chaos that started with Roberti. Don't hate on the board majority because they are nipping the problems in the bud before they get far fetched and out of hand.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 5:45:11 AM
What problems have been nipped in the bud? Williams has made progressive changes in the school system. As a single parent of a child attending the SLPS I believe he was our chance for improvement. O'Brien and Downs have accomplished nothing but finalize their personal vendeattas! I have heard nothing intelligent come out of the mouth of Jones, as a matter of fact I have heard nothing from her period!
Saturday, July 15, 2006 9:39:29 AM
Board members Archibald and Jackson are part of the problem and not the solution. They stand in the way of progress. Member Archibald continuously talks about fiscal responsibility but votes against it. Member Jackson doesn't even do that much.
The next step is to continue the progress by replacing Board members Archibald and Jackson.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 10:09:50 AM
Last anonymous, Williams brought more chaos and arrogance. He hired his family and friends. Please, give us a break.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 11:32:57 AM
I hope that Mary Armstrong is happy. Her and her dear friend Lizz Brown wanted Creg out and they got him.
Mary, school opens up in six weeks,I hope you have a plan!
Saturday, July 15, 2006 5:42:11 PM
Wow, the Slayers don't have the majority but they still got the game! They managed to set up the majority with Williams' resignation and spin it like the majority f-ed up. When in reality they had to meet to accept his resignation -- what else could they have done? Not called a meeting when he requested one?
Slay's plan to turn the schools over to Matt Blunt is rolling forward.
Saturday, July 15, 2006 9:14:34 PM
The state may not agree with what is going in St. Louis but they are following the rules that they set for taking over school districts. It up to us to determine whether or not the state will state will take over. There is now question in these blogs that the schools may not open on Aug. 28. And remain open for a minimum of 174 days. If we do not open on time, yes that may mean the state will take over. Then the calendar will be adjusted to meet the 174 days requirement. Remember at the end of 2005 school did not let out until June 15. Another reason for the state to take over is if we do not meet full accreditation in 2010.
My question to all the parents, teachers, principals, and administrators is do we want the state to really take over? I do not know all of the ramifications of what may or may not happen do you want to possibly lose a school year or extend well into next summer, reapply for your job or deal with the politics from state officials?
I am willing to put the past behind and start fresh, again! I am willing to do my part in helping get the schools open on time. All someone has to do is ask. Otherwise I wouldn’t have spent so much time revising lesson plans this summer. Spend lots of money updating computer software to make my other responsibilities easier to do. Not to mention how I am going to get supplies to conduct my class effectively. We all have a job to which is educate the future of this city, state, and nation. How many you out there are willing to do the same?
Sunday, July 16, 2006 8:56:54 PM
With Blunt in office, a state takeover could be disastrous. He'll convert the district to for profit charter schools, most likely. Sure hope that the current board majority hasn't given DESE grounds.
Sunday, July 16, 2006 10:44:43 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home