By Antonio D. French
Filed Tuesday, November 21 at 8:01 AM
The following report is by Nick Clement of the St. Louis Schools Watch:
St. Louis School Board President Veronica O'Brien again has found a way to divert attention from students and teachers to herself. In a bizarre performance before the Desegregation Monitoring Task Force, O'Brien called on the state to intervene in the school district to remove the superintendent.
Only two months ago, O'Brien engineered the removal of the word "interim" from Diana Bourisaw's title, making her "superintendent" instead of "interim superintendent." Now she is relentless in her attacks on the superintendent. The reason for the attacks lies in a disagreement over O'Brien's role.
In recent weeks, O'Brien has been telling anyone who will listen that administrators in St. Louis Public Schools do not respect her authority as president. She complains that administrators are holding meetings without inviting her and making decisions without running them by her first. In short, she is confirming the truth of board member Bill Purdy's claim that she is trying to micromanage the district.
Sources familiar with O'Brien say Bourisaw's reluctance to let O'Brien make up jobs and salaries precipitated split. The disagreement between the two came to a head over the hiring of Anthony Bonner.
Sources say O'Brien promised Bonner's family, with whom she is close, that she would give Bonner a job and pay him $125,000 a year. She ordered Bourisaw to hire Bonner as a "special assistant" and pay him $125,000. Bourisaw reportedly refused. She is said to have told O'Brien that Bonner could apply for whatever openings were advertised and if he was qualified, she would hire him at the advertised salary. He qualified for a job in the community information office and was hired at a salary of $72,000 a year.
Many people in the school district were outraged that someone with just a bachelor's degree could come off the street and waltz into a $72,000 a year gig to make more than many principals with doctorate degrees are making, but O'Brien was outraged that her order to pay him $125,000 was ignored. She reportedly ran around school board headquarters ordering one person after another to code Bonner in the payroll system for $125,000. Person after person refused, and her grudge against Bourisaw grew.
People who know O'Brien say she has become obsessed with getting rid of Bourisaw, to the point where nothing else in the school district matters to her. That obsession has led to the strange speech reported in the Post-Dispatch yesterday.
As upsetting as her speech is to supporters of St. Louis public schools, it at least indicates that she does not have the support of the majority of the board. She would not be calling on the state to remove the superintendent if she had the votes on the board to do it.
52 Comments:
THIS IS NUTS!!!TIME FOR VERONICA TO GO!!!!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 8:35:49 AM
At first I thought she might be good for the system.
Then I thought she might be a little excentric.
The I thought she might be a little power mad.
Then I realized she's just crazy.
Does Veronica think that she will be the one in power after the dust settles?
As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for, because you might just get it. Well, I knew Creg was bad so I wished for him to be gone and it happened. And now Veronica is beginning to make Creg look good (not really) to me again.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 8:40:47 AM
Ooooh, this is rich.
Nick Clement, who worked tirelessly for Teahcer's Union Local 420 to get Veronica (and Purdy) elected in 2005, now has the daggers out for her.
Nick and Local 420 also worked tirelessly for, and claim credit for, Downs and Jones being elected in 2006. Downs and Jones campainged on a platform of looking for ways to cooperate with Creg Williams, but fired him within four months of taking office.
Now the Local's pet majority is in disarray, and the backbiting is out in the open.
Local 420 is obviously incapable of keeping their hand-annointed School Board under control. Is it any wonder that they do such a miserable job of educating the children of St. Louis? Or vice-versa, given thier proven track record of consistently poor education of the kids, is it any wonder that they can't handle their board?
The people of St. Louis were sold a bill of goods and we continue to pay for it. The State needs to step in and wipe the slate clean - clear out the Mayor's people, clear out the Local's people, and get some education down to our kids.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 9:15:08 AM
I agree with blogger#2 (and #1!)but #2 those were my exact feelings. I really try to give people the benefit and the opportunity to prove themselves. Blogger #3, I'm willing to believe that is what the people whom you refer to also believed. When they began to realize that the people they had given an opportunity to were not performing to the standards they originally where hired for, they spoke out. That's what should happen, instead of just going along for the ride, however long, no matter the damage and never speaking out for what is right. Put your own dagger away and keep in mind we are all supposed to be in this for the kids. Based on what I now KNOW about Ms Obrien based on factual information and with time and some experience behind her, I no longer support her, nor her recommendations. I'm not afraid to say that before it is too late. Let's move forward and continue moving forward.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 10:54:30 AM
Please don't leave us Dr. Bourisaw. Things in my kids school are okay right now and you seem like a nice person who is trying to help our kids. We'll get rid of Veronica the next time she's up for election, please hang in there!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 11:45:40 AM
Veronica, respect is earned. If people aren't respecting you, you need to look to your actions to see why.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 12:14:55 PM
I will be at the meeting tonight.
This should be exciting.
Like a train-wreck, you simply must watch even though its a disturbing sight.
On a serious note, it is clear to me that O'Brien is bordering on mental instability or at least severe inconsistency.
Regardless of your view on state takeover, it is clear that Veronica, as the President of the Board, has some questions to answer tonight.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 12:51:24 PM
With a board president like this, it is no wonder that we can't keep a good superintendent.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 1:04:29 PM
I am a parent who actually has children in the schools. I have personally interacted with Veronica O'Brien on many occasions. I supported her enthusiastically. I thought she was a balanced and fair-minded person.
And I am bewildered and appalled by her recent actions.
It's not as though anyone, including Ms. O'Brien and anyone from the DESE, knows what a takeover or extreme intervention from the State would actually MEAN. Would it be an improvement? Or would it be yet more destructive instability?
No matter what the process by which she was hired, Diana Bourisaw deserves her year to make an impact. So far, it appears that she has been gathering widespread support from those of use in the trenches--teachers, principals, and parents.
(And as a side note, since when are unions automatically assumed to be evil? In the American history I learned, weren't they founded to protect people from rapacious employers? Remember the Pullman strike?)
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 1:09:29 PM
I too am a parent with children in the SLPS, and I agree with Ms. MacRobie wholeheartedly.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 1:15:17 PM
As a former SLPS administrator, I can tell you Ms. O'Brien is far from balanced. She is one of the MOST unstable people you will ever meet. She threatens staff, telling them that their jobs are on the line if they disobey her often illegal and immoral directives. She is offensive to the point of being slandarous. I pray that she receives the social/emotional/psychological support that she desperately needs.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 1:18:43 PM
To answer Barb's question on unions. When the union's agenda interferes with the needs of the children, they are no longer on the side of the needs of their students. They were founded to protect people from the employers. Teachers deserve fair wages and working conditions. However, they too have come to abuse their influence in ways that ulimately hurt the children. For instance in their influence to oust Creg Williams or perhaps their stand on school choice for parents to name a few. Perhaps it is time for a Parents union.
Personally, I never cared for Veronica or Bourisaw. But, hey who asked me, I am just a parent.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 12:39:15 AM
This is pure gossip, but does anyone know if it is true that O'Brien never liked Bourisaw and that she only agreed to fire Creg Williams in exchange for getting rid of Floyd Irons?
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 12:45:34 AM
Last Anonymous, that is "pure" gossip if not a total lie. Please don't add deception or lies to an otherwise valid discussion.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 5:22:40 AM
Anonymous Union Hater,
"Perhaps it's time for a Parent's Union"
They are called Parent-Teacher Organizations and they have been around for quite some time.
As far as the Labor Unions go, they were formed to make certain that hard-working people are treated as HUMAN BEINGS not employees to be used up and thrown away when they can no longer make enough "profit" for the company.
Sounds to me like something we should be teaching our children.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 6:00:57 AM
I haven't forgotten that Ms. O'Brien is a Mayor Slay appointee.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 6:49:46 AM
Isn't it possible for the board to elect a new president, or is that in the hands of someone else?
Also... does anyone have a clue what Ms. O'Brien is really trying to accomplish?
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 8:11:44 AM
I have been a member of PTO for years and they have never asked me, as a parent what kind of legislation do I want to support. Yes, unions were started to ensure that working people are treated like human beings. But it seems that the union leader's comment refering to children, even in Kindergarten, as academic terrorist does not reflect that our children are seen as human beings anymore.
Reference:
http://www.semissourian.com/story/1173549.html
It is simple. Parents want choice. They want to have options in their childs education rather than be subject to the continuing fiasco that the board and administration keeps giving them. If the students cannot get what they need out of the district, LET MY CHILDREN GO!
The Teacher's Union is against ANY choice for parents/ children. They would rather the children stay just were they are....in failing schools.
They would rather you sit and hope for another plan, superintendent, school board/ president. It has been 30 years that this school district has been unaccredited, 6 superintendents, and constant drama with their school board. Generations of children have already been lost. Parents cannot afford to wait any longer. It is not about the Union. it is not about ego. It is about saving our children. As, parents, we don't care how that happens.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 10:02:40 AM
We really do need a school board member recall bill. The only thing worse than the current situation would be a board appointed by Slay.
Maybe we'll get lucky and Obrien will throw a pitcher of water at a staff person, and the courts can remove her, as they removed her predecessor.
Many people backed Veronica with reservations. She was regarded at the lesser of two evils [a Slay backed person being the worse of the two evils].
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 11:33:42 AM
Have I fallen through the rabbit hole? I feel as if I am in the Queen Of Heart's Garden and she is screeching yet again..."Off with her head, off with her head.." Will the Queen (Veronica) never be satisfied? The problem is, this isn't a Fairy Tale!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 2:06:21 PM
Back to the question asked previously, how or what measures can now be taken to remove her? Are there any? If so, please explain the procedure.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 2:48:03 PM
Anonymous #12, November 22, 2006 10:02:40 AM, and PTO member,
I looked up your reference to the union president's speech.
"She said the St. Louis School District needs a 'zero tolerance' policy regarding discipline violations because disruptive students have become 'academic terrorists'. We have children coming into kindergarten fighting teachers, cursing teachers, biting teachers."
You may have well-behaved children and may not be able to comprehend that many of the children aren't. The fact that you belong to a PTO shows how involved in your children's education you are.
That is not the case for many of the children who come to SLPS schools. Some are crack babies, some come from terrible and abusive home situations, learn the same, and become abusive themselves at a very young age.
At a recent meeting, a state representative stated that corrections institutions predict their prison population by 2nd graders! Second graders! They recognize the problems that will end someone up in prison exhibit themselves at such a young age.
Ms. Armstrong was using figurative language in order to emphasize the discipline problems prevailing and increasing in our schools.
Thank God some parents have their children disciplined and under control. Pray to God for the rest and for those teachers who must deal with them on a daily basis.
Children are still seen as human beings but many as human beings with violent tendencies. Humans can be more cruel than any animal; and for some, that begins at a very young age.
Perhaps not a pretty picture, but one of reality.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 3:21:24 PM
Wow!!!! I guess we all forgot what we were taught in school and in church "Do Unto Others, As You Would Have Them Do Unto You." See I was there and watched as Mrs. O'Brien orchestrated the dismissal of Dr. Williams at that emergency meeting with the support of her three lackies while Dr. Bourisaw sat in her office and waited like a pig about to be fed. What made Dr. Bourisaw - an educated woman -think that if this what a board did to one superintendent that they wouldn't do it to her. Now we all act as if we are so amazed to see what is going on and now the infighting begins. What a shame!!! Once again the only people who suffer are the KIDS - but I guess no one really cares about them huh?
I guess the saying is true, "What goes around comes around!"
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 11:06:51 PM
I agree with the need for discipline in the schools. I also think that compassion is needed. It seems that it is easy for society to cast out its downtrodden once they place a lablel on them. The "crack babies" and children that come from abusive homes are not just insignificant people to be thrown out on the street. They need social services, real support, and yes discipline...with love. A kindergartener or even a 2nd grader does not have the ability to consciously orchastrate the destruction of the classroom, let alone the entire district. They react to what they see ( uh hem...maybe school board members) and their own pain. I know that it is difficult for the teachers. I have even sat in classrooms to assist. I don't, however, see how school choice will hinder solution s for addressing these students. In fact, it seem that if less children are in the classroom, teachers might be able to gain more control. Why would they fight against something that may reduce classroom size?
Anonymous 12
Thursday, November 23, 2006 1:19:23 PM
Anon 12,
I agree with you until you get to...
"I don't, however, see how school choice will hinder solutions for addressing these students. In fact, it seem that if less children are in the classroom, teachers might be able to gain more control. Why would they fight against something that may reduce classroom size?"
One problem is that class sizes WON'T go down, just the number of classrooms and staff (mostly teachers because most aides are already gone). The student-teacher ratio will not go down in part because of the lost money for every student that leaves.
Also, what tends to happen is that those parents who care enough about their children's education are the ones who pull their children out. Those parents are the ones we need to stay. What you are left with are those children who tend to do the poorest academically and behaviorally because (in part) they don't have the caring or able parent. Therefore, the SLPS become, in effect, alternative schools. Alternative schools that are not funded as an alternative school needs to be funded to ensure student success.
It is one of those vicious circles.
After 7 years I am leaning heavily towards the "tough love" approach.
Thursday, November 23, 2006 3:27:09 PM
As someone who has made a career of working with children from inner city,urban environments, the teacher ratio is not necessarily a fix for the discipline problems in schoold. One of the solutions lies directly with teachers - establishing relationships of trust, structure routine and consistency, but more so, showing through their own modelling a sincere level of caring. Not the superficial caring that we currently se within our district.
Children emphatically know within a half hour a teachers agenda and whether or not their teachers really care.
Part of the problem that we see in the education world regardless of where we teach is a failure to plan, which is driven by the 8:00 -3:00 teaching syndrome. Teaching as far back as we can remember has nevver been an eight hour profession. When we as teachers teach from the heart, the clock does not stop when the end of the day bell rings.
It has to be "our" level of dedication that changes student behavior, regardless of what they come from and go home to. This is eveident, since within every challenging school within our district there are teachers who do not have the extent of problems that other teachers have. We have to ask why not? Primarily the reason is that these teachers set the tone oof their classroom, establist rapport, trust and structure which in effect eleviate problems.
Thursday, November 23, 2006 3:57:22 PM
As I see this is O’Brien doesn’t want to be Board President anymore. If that is the case why doesn’t she just quit? A state takeover means that the current Board will be eliminated and one will be set up by state appointees (maybe we need that anyway). I guess the next thing we will start hearing about is O’Brien throwing water on someone to cool them off. OR She will be hearing voices in her head saying, “get the money get the money.” All of this nonsense because O’Brien didn’t get her way? Well guess what that’s life sometimes we don’t always get what we want, get over it.
I support Bourisaw's reluctance to hire Anthony Bonner to be the new Vashon Basketball Coach. In our building many teachers feel this is the only reason why was hired in the first place. Remember the reason why she is no longer in the Fox School District is because she started reporting misappropriation of district funds by various school board members. Here again Bourisaw’s morals of doing what is right is getting in the way of Board members who have their own agendas (like embezzling money, receiving kickbacks from contractors who receive contracts, or hiring friends and relatives who barely, if at all, meet job requirements).
This district needs someone like Bourisaw who is willing to question the spending of district funds. After all how many “Assistants” does the Superintendent really need? I am sure that there is already a less than qualified person who was previously assigned the task that Bonner was hire for.
Thursday, November 23, 2006 11:01:13 PM
Anonymous 12, as to your statement:
"I agree with the need for discipline in the schools. I also think that compassion is needed. It seems that it is easy for society to cast out its downtrodden once they place a lablel on them. The "crack babies" and children that come from abusive homes are not just insignificant people to be thrown out on the street. They need social services, real support, and yes discipline...with love. A kindergartener or even a 2nd grader does not have the ability to consciously orchastrate the destruction of the classroom, let alone the entire district. They react to what they see ( uh hem...maybe school board members) and their own pain."
Agreed to a degree. No one is saying the children don't need love. What is being said is that discipline problems are greater than any previous generation faced. No one is saying they are insignificant either. The school district tries to provide social services (a group cut by the Roberti group) and other means of helping them.
Nevertheless, more staff are needed to limit the disruption and problems. Who would have believed that three SLPs middle school girls would murder a woman? Who would have believed all the damage and destruction done by Mel Carnahan School gangs roaming the streets.
Teachers and principals might even shock you by tales of what some kindergarteners and 2nd graders have done. One principal told me how a 6-year old broke and damaged a copier when he went into a rage. Unless one is there, it it impossible to believe; but I was finally put somewhere where I saw the tremendous problem first hand.
That was all I was trying to communicate. No one is putting children down--just recognizing many have issues and problems heretofore not present in elementary and middle schools.
Friday, November 24, 2006 8:15:19 AM
Anon at 3:57,
As you say, a low student-teacher ratio is not necessarily a fix for a low functioning classroom. Of course you have to have a dedicated teacher as well.
But the simple laws of mathematics tell us that the higher the ratio, the less personal attention these students get. And many of these children need as much personal attention as possible. More than we are able to give them.
Also, do you think it really takes a half an hour for the kids to figure out if the teacher really cares? Maybe FIVE MINUTES in most cases.
Some teachers also get "stuck" with a large number of the disruptive students for various reasons, while others have fewer children with "discipline issues" (we have all seen this). Even the best, most dedicated teacher can fail under conditions such as this.
Lower class sizes is not the one and only solution, but it is the FIRST thing we should do.
Friday, November 24, 2006 8:24:33 AM
As a teacher for 18 years in this district all I can say is PLEASE STOP THE MADNESS!!! So many people these days, adults AND students, seem to have no grasp of HISTORY. Everyone seems to deal with issues in the district as if they happened with no historical context. At least begin by looking at the overall landscape of the district over the past 10 years. Ten years ago, this was a district doing very good things. Accredited. Functioning. Progressing in all academic areas, lowering dropout rate, everything. The impact of the district's efforts had even begun to reach into the community. Teen pregnancies were down, college attendance was going up. Then, since nothing was broken, someone decided to start fixing things. End Deseg. State test changes. Roberti. Open Court. Open Court "Police". God help us. The best things that ever happened to this district in the last 10 years were the new board members and Dr. Bourisaw. PLEASE LET US HEAL. Stop trying to fix everything by political and administrative changes. Children can't be helped that way. They need TEACHERS WHO ARE SUPPORTED IN DOING THEIR WORK. Not impossible demands. Not different people in office making impossible demands. Not blame games and fingerpointing. Hungry children need food. Homeless children need shelter. Brokenhearted, dysfunctional children need counselors and social workers. Not textbooks, curriculums, or administrative shifting. Yes, we need to hold ALL children to high academic standards, but to do so while failing to provide resources to meet glaring basic human needs only creates resentful, bitter young adults. These children belong to the whole community, not just the school district. HOW ABOUT SOME REAL HELP?
Friday, November 24, 2006 4:34:10 PM
Anon at 4:34:10 PM, I can only add my full and unqualified agreement. My own experience with the district was exactly as you have stated. Once we stopped considering the whole child and began to treat them like widgets to be processed as though they were all alike, we began to lose ground in the struggle for educational equality.
Friday, November 24, 2006 8:35:07 PM
Dare I say it? A M E N! and A M E N to the above.
Saturday, November 25, 2006 11:59:40 AM
Jim
Re:
Also, what tends to happen is that those parents who care enough about their children's education are the ones who pull their children out. Those parents are the ones we need to stay. What you are left with are those children who tend to do the poorest academically and behaviorally because (in part) they don't have the caring or able parent.
I realize the delima for the teachers. I respect that teachers may fear being left with a classroom full of challenging children if parents have a right to choose the school for their child. However, I think that you need to realize the delima for parents. When my child comes home to tell me that she only got 20 minutes of actual class instruction because there was so much drama in the classroom, then my child is being cheated. As my child's no. 1 advocate, I will not allow them to be the sacrificial lamb and fail themselves because the district cannot or will not put into place things that will ensure an academically sound environment. I also cannot wait for them to figure it out 20 years from now. Whether it is social services or smaller classes, they are not putting them into place. Since over half of the teacher's union do not live or send their children to SLPS, it is simply not fair to try to force other parents to do so. It is not fair to force a child to stay in a failing environment especially when they did not create it. It is kind of like saying " You must stay enslaved to this system and only learn what I ( the district) teaches you. You don't have the right to seek an education elsewhere because to do so will disrupt economically the system of academic slavery that we have in place. " We have already been down that road...and it is all too familiar.
Saturday, November 25, 2006 4:39:30 PM
The history of African Americans and education.
1806- Blacks were slaves-- they did not have the right to get the education they want.
1906- You could get an education, but only if you could afford it.
1946- Blacks could not go to the school they wanted to. They had to go to where they were assigned. Seperate and unequal. The current school system fought against education rights of Black parents. Brown vs. Board of Ed.
2006- You have no right to get the education you want...unless you can afford it. You must stay in the district regardless of its short comings. Separate...and unequal. The current school system still fights against any educational rights of parents for their children.
The more things change, the more things stay the same.
He who forgets his history is doomed to repeat it.
Saturday, November 25, 2006 5:02:04 PM
Is anyone going to answer the question of how we can make a change to the school board? Is there some sort of procedure. Can the president be impeached? Please someone tell us if this is at all possible.
Saturday, November 25, 2006 5:25:08 PM
Ann c.
I hear ya, and don't blame ya...
But I guess I'm not quite burnt out enough yet to give up trying to save the system we already have.
Of course I've always been a sucker for punishment!
I also have to wonder "What happens after the children leave the SLPS and go to charter schools?" I'm afraid we will just end up with lots of little failing districts, disconnected and without a voice. At least as one district we have been able to fight back against the mayor and his crew and have made some gains.
Saturday, November 25, 2006 6:43:09 PM
Jim H. is right. And just think of it, charter schools can offer a poor education, and they are not even under the same state mandates that public schools are. Public school education is the reason for much of the success in this country. It needs repair and improvement. However, to dismantle it and to bring about its demise will eventually be viewed in history as one of the reasons for the deep decline of this nation.
Sunday, November 26, 2006 11:30:38 AM
Anon,
No one is answering your question about getting rid of O'Brien because if she is booted, that means Mayor Slay will appoint someone to the Board (as he did to put O'Brien on there) and that idea worries a lot of people. I bet there will be more acceptance of that idea if the 2 people elected to the Board in April seem to be good choices for stability and the removal of O'Brien doesn't affect a majority of reasonable people on the Board. Downs, Jones, Fowler and Purdy seem to care about the kids and if the drama can go away they might be able to support Bourisaw into success.
Sunday, November 26, 2006 12:59:19 PM
Anon. on African American History in Education:
You have skipped over the ENTIRE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT in your comment. You know, the part where the people came together and STOOD UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS? What would the world be like if Dr. King had just advocated jumping ship when things got hard? What if Rosa Parks had just decided to walk because the bus was too much trouble?
I can understand frustration with the system. But in America, the PEOPLE decide what the system is to be. None of the progress of the African American community--or any other group of people--came without struggle BY THE PEOPLE. That is the REAL lesson of history.
Besides, the charter schools are proving themselves to be a poor alternative educationally anyway.
The very best educational opportunities for African American children exist within the Magnet Schools. Perhaps our efforts need to be directed toward creating more of these schools that bring together ALL the people in a common struggle to help their children see a DREAM for their future that many seem to have forgotten was ever dreamed.
Sunday, November 26, 2006 8:01:56 PM
To Jim H. who wrote--
I also have to wonder "What happens after the children leave the SLPS and go to charter schools?" I'm afraid we will just end up with lots of little failing districts, disconnected and without a voice.
Their voice will be heard loud and clear when the children leave the school. With school choice, that can be done. With no school choice, the parents can yell and scream all they want, and things may or may not change.
Monday, November 27, 2006 8:45:39 AM
I am kjoe. I live in Festus. I am not sure why I pay so much attention to this. I wrote to Bill McClellan---basically I think he does not fully understand the problems with Williams. He is very harsh toward Bourisaw. I hope some of you more closely involved write to him.
Specifically, I am looking for teachers who use Open Court. I think the story there would help him understand what has been going on for the last five years a lot better.
I pasted his reply, before what I wrote to him, which included the entire post from last friday at 4:34.
His reply to the e-mail below------
I like teachers, Joe. Admittedly, I don't recall things being so good 10 years ago. I thought that was why the Black Roundtable came up with the idea of fixing the schools. As for Bourisaw, all I've ever said is that she got the job in a less than honourable fashion. Am I far off about that? But you're certainly right that I should talk to some teachers. Do you have anay suggestions?
To: Bill McClellan
Subject: open court
Bill---sometimes I wonder if your view of teachers in St. Louis is similar to that of a friend of mine. When I said Bourisaw has very wide support among teachers, he immediately responded that it has to be because she is not making them teach anything.
I have been reading your columns for decades. I cannot remember you ever being so far off on a subject as you are on the SLPSchools.. Knowing something of your appreciation for subtleties---I would ask you to seek out some elementary reading teachers in the slps and ask them about the open court reading program which was forced upon them by the---never mind.
Just talk to them. It will help you figure out a lot of things. I guarantee a good column will come of it.
"Roberti. Open Court. Open Court "Police". God help us."
this is from the Antonio French site---there are dozens of comments along these lines.
St. Louis Schools Watch
Anonymous said...
As a teacher for 18 years in this district all I can say is PLEASE STOP THE MADNESS!!! So many people these days, adults AND students, seem to have no grasp of HISTORY--etc..
Monday, November 27, 2006 3:41:54 PM
ALL children should have "access" to a QUALITY EDUCATION--not just a few select children. Rather than leaving your own community to make LADUE neighborhoods and other community schools stronger and better, why not take that same energy, time, and commitment to help YOUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD and schools become prosperous, strong, and the BEST for your own children!!
If you do not believe in yourself and your community, why should citizens in Ladue or another community believe in you??
Do not give up--This can be done if St. Louis community members make the effort to work together!!
Regardless, CHILDREN in the St. Louis Public Schools Can and Will succeed with or without community support!!!
Monday, November 27, 2006 5:51:16 PM
About the Civil Rights Movement:
I did not forget. In fact the new fight IS for Parental Choice in schools and against poverty defining the quality of education you receive. The thing about civil rights is that it doesn't stop just because one issue is addressed. It last until ALL people are able to have a equal opportunities in every regardless of race, class, or gender. People ARE standing up. It is just that the new status quo is fighting it.
Monday, November 27, 2006 7:01:54 PM
There are good and bad public, private, charter, and magnet schools. School choice is not about trying to destroy the public school system. It is about parents having more say and more choices in their childs education. That means even more public options as well.
Besides, even if you did create more magnet schools, that would take years to develop. Meanwhile another generation will be lost. Also, my son's magnet school has 30 or more students in the class. If that is the best educational opportunity that you have to offer...I want a choice.
Monday, November 27, 2006 7:13:07 PM
Choice sounds really good if you can afford to supply the amount over and above the voucher amount AND have adequate transportation AND your job doesn't interfere with the start and end times of the school that you choose. What it amounts to is another way to leave out the poorest among us, who have 8-10 hour shifts for minimum wage and depend on public transportation.
Don't you understand why the rich are for vouchers? It's to defray private/parochial school tuition. They don't care about us - they have no problem blaming us for our own inability to provide transportation. They take away neighborhood schools, and blame us. They lure us with Charter Schools, then we find out that a Charter School doesn't have to take my special needs child. Most of the private schools that vouchers are supposed to provide as options don't have to take him, either. Wake up and smell the coffee, people! We need to fight for our schools now before it's too late!
Monday, November 27, 2006 10:52:03 PM
To Anon. Civil Rights Movement:
"...in fact the new fight IS for Parental Choice in schools and against poverty defining the quality of education you receive..."
Poverty does not DEFINE the quality of education children receive. Poverty, drugs, crime, etc. INTERFERE with ANY education being provided, no matter how high its quality. Do you really believe that homeless children, or abused children, or children with neglectful, drug-addicted parents--all of which are growing realities among the St. Louis Public Schools student population, will receive a better education just because they are in a different school? They bring their problems with them wherever they go. And when children leave the cocoon of a charter or private school full of hand-picked children, they will still go out to live in a city and a country full of children who have grown up with these problems unaddressed.
Isn't the true essence of the Civil Rights Movement about lifting ALL the people by standing TOGETHER? I don't understand a version of it that means offering a haven for some and leaving the most needy behind. It sounds a little like what might have happened if slaves who escaped north settled for their new life and left the rest in slavery. Thank God Harriet Tubman turned around. I hope you will too.
I also want to point out that Anon. at 4:34 Friday made the point that it should not be the entire responsibility of the school district to provide needed social services for the children of this city. Yes, if everyone waits for the school district to have the means to provide such things, it will take forever, and as someone commented earlier, whole generations will be lost. Well, St. Louis, they ARE BEING LOST EVERY DAY RIGHT NOW. What prevents our city and state from taking a more active role in addressing the need to provide counselors and social workers to these children and their families?
Have we so lost touch with the heart of the Civil Rights Movement that we now see public education as the ENEMY instead of POVERTY and all its accompanying problems? I believe the Civil Rights Movement is still about holding our GOVERNMENT and thus, all our PEOPLE, responsible to uphold the rights of ALL of us. Government does not begin and end with the school district. It begins and ends where the people decide it does.
So I repeat the comment at the end of Anon. 4:34's passage: HOW ABOUT SOME REAL HELP?
Tuesday, November 28, 2006 9:28:28 AM
The government has never truly come though to support the people without a fight. It seems the thing to is to beg the government to give us more. Don't you know this country was never created to support poor people. It is a capitalist republic designed to build a class of wealthy on the backs of others. The public system, as it stands, is designed to maintain a working class that supports the wealthiest. It was NEVER designed to empower the poor. Empowerment comes when we take thing s into our own hands and do what we must for ourselves. The poor has power in numbers. When enough of the numbers impact the bottom line, they listen. Not begging for more money in the schools. Not "keep hope alive" in the same failing system. If people want to leave the district, let them exercise that power. Harriet Tubman did not wait for someone to free her. She freed herself. When she went back, she helped those who were ready to free themselves. They didn't stay in the South....they left the system that oppressed them. And even still, there were those who were left behind. Those that were too afraid to leave a system they were used to.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006 7:51:37 PM
If parents choose to pull their children out, and choose to support this capitalist grab to make a buck off of yet another social institution, they are putting another nail in the coffin of equality.
We have institutions in place. Shame on us all for abandoning them, not demanding they deliver what they promised. Shame on us all for our inaction. Shame on us all for our education budgets.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006 9:02:05 PM
And where does Veronica send her children? Not to any SLPS. Vouchers? Nope, she doesn't need them. She has plenty of money. Veronica is out of touch and her children are out of the district. What is wrong with this picture?
Wednesday, November 29, 2006 9:46:46 PM
What if... we empowered ourselves to create our own schools? What if we were able to receive vouchers and direct them to our own schools that had the type of education that we wanted for our children? What if we had same gender schools that we developed? What if there were schools that we developed just for children with learning disabilities?
What if we developed schools that reflected our own values? Maybe it is not just about moving to a private school already in place. Maybe we will develop schools of our own. They have already done it in DC, Philidelphia, Milwaukee, Ohio, Florida, just to name a few. This is nothing new. It is happening all over the country. Why does Missouri always have to be last? I am done with these folks on the school board and the constant "new agendas" leadership and otherwise. They can not even get along like adults and they want to direct our children. Our children are a reflection of the leadership. It is time to take our destiny into our own hands. If there are any tax credit, scholarships, or even vouchers in the next legislative session, it is time to support that which can support you. Right Now, SLPS is not even capable of supporting itself. This is how we as parents fight back.
Thursday, November 30, 2006 11:12:45 AM
Anon. Wednesday 7:51:
A few reminders:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that ALL men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these rights are the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness..." (Declaration of Independence)
"We the PEOPLE of the United States, in order to form a more PERFECT UNION, establish JUSTICE, ensure domestic tranquility, PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, provide for the COMMON defense, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do hereby ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America..."
(Preamble to the Constitution)
"Give me your tired, your POOR, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the WRETCHED REFUSE of your teeming shores; bring these, the tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
(Inscription on the Statue of Liberty).
I'm sorry, where was the part about the capitalist republic designed to oppress the poor?
If our government does not live up to what it WAS IN FACT INTENDED TO BE, it is not because our forefathers did not fight for it--even to the point of fighting against impossible odds, taking on the most powerful people in the world (England 1776), brother against brother (Civil War)and at the cost of their lives and livelihoods (MLK and many others). No, if our government does not live up to these ideals, it is because WE OF THIS TIME have not fought as they did; as if it really mattered; as if we understood it is our HONOR AND RESPONSIBILITY to do so; as if we understood as they did, that WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT.
Thursday, November 30, 2006 12:39:45 PM
Anon,
"What if...we empowered ourselves to create our own schools?"
What if you took some of that passion and some of those great ideas and committed yourself to improving the schools we already have, instead of trying to reinvent yet another wheel?
Thursday, November 30, 2006 1:06:11 PM
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