ABOUT THE WATCH

"The St. Louis Schools Watch was founded on the premises that parental and community involvement are needed for good schools to flourish, and that public participation is a cornerstone of democracy. The Watch offers information and analysis that we hope contributes to a public debate over what changes are necessary to improve St. Louis public schools, and what works."

-- Peter Downs, Founder

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Schools Watch Archives

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  • December 2006

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    SORRY, THIS SITE IS DEAD

    By Antonio D. French

    Filed Friday, December 1 at 6:00 AM

    After one year and one month, it came down to there being just too few hours in the day. That's why this blog is being replaced by a new forum.

    I just couldn't give the schools beat as much attention as it deserved without dropping the ball on providing the quality political coverage that readers of Pub Def have grown used to.

    I asked for help but none came. So I had to make a decision.

    With the new STLSchools.org forum I hope I've made it easy for everyone to share information and opinions about the happenings of St. Louis Public Schools. You are all citizen journalists and many of you know much more about what's going on in the classrooms and offices of SLPS than I ever could.

    Thanks and enjoy.

    Now go to the new www.STLSchools.org.

    And get your daily news on St. Louis politics (including coverage of St. Louis Public Schools) at PubDef.net.

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    O'Brien Aside, Bonner Makes $75,000

    By Antonio D. French

    Despite repeated assertions by the school board president, St. Louis Public Schools maintains that Vashon's new basketball coach does not make a $125,000 per year salary.

    As late as yesterday in a "You Paid for It" segment on KTVI Channel 2, Board Pres. Veronica O'Brien repeated her claims that Anthony Bonner, the former NBA star who was recently hired to replace legendary and controversial coach Floyd Irons at Vashon High School, is receiving a salary that dwarfs that of many principals and teachers in the district.

    "Anthony Bonner makes $125,000 and the man is doing three and four jobs. That will not change. So that is your answer for the public," O'Brien told investigative reporter Elliot Davis. But according to SLPS officials, that's not what district records show.

    According to SLPS Communications Director Tony Sanders, Bonner, who officially started with the district on Oct. 17, earns an annual salary of $72,000 plus standard employee benefits in his position as Executive Director of Community Outreach, a position that did not previously exist and some believe was created just for Bonner.

    Bonner also receives an annual stipend of $4,084 for coaching varsity basketball at Vashon, the same stipend paid to every boys basketball coach in the district.

    Click here to watch Elliot Davis' report featuring a revealing ambush interview of O'Brien.

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