An interesting update from Pubdef.net -

THE CASE OF SLAY V. MAIDA Maybe it's the new, tougher Francis Slay or maybe it's just frustration at his recent loss of power -- not electricity, but over St. Louis Public Schools -- but whatever it is, St. Francis is losing his cool.

A source tells PUB DEF that State Sen. Maida Coleman was taken aback by a recent phone call from an angry and loud Mayor Slay. He was furious with Coleman -- who on many occasions has carried water for the mayor and his southside allies -- because of a letter she recently wrote to Gov. Matt Blunt.

In the letter, Coleman blasted Blunt for putting his nose into the SLPS superintendent swap. "The School Board made an administrative decision based upon what they thought was in the best interest of the children of the St. Louis Public Schools and I support their authority, which is derived from the citizens who elected them," she wrote.

"The only instability that you talk about in your press release that has occurred happened under the old majority school board, which the Mayor of St. Louis helped elect," said Coleman.

Speaking truth to power -- go 'head, Maida.
 

DR. DIANA M. BOURISAW INTRODUCED AS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

St. Louis – Dr. Diana M. Bourisaw was officially introduced today as the Interim Superintendent by the St. Louis Board of Education.

“Today is a new day for the St. Louis Public Schools,” said Veronica O’Brien, President of the Board of Education. “I am proud to introduce Dr. Bourisaw to you today and I’m sure the community will quickly learn what a dynamic person she is,” O’Brien said.

Dr. Bourisaw says her first priority is getting all schools open on Aug. 28. “I can assure parents, students, and community leaders that every classroom will have a teacher, there will be a desk for every student, and all the buses will be running,” said Bourisaw.

“There are three critical areas that must be addressed in this district, including:

• The declining enrollment. The enrollment has decreased by 10,000, from 44,100 students in 2000 to 34,000 students today;

• Academic achievement among students. While performance within St. Louis Public Schools is higher than charter schools, we can and will do better; and,

• A looming budget crisis. District revenue has been significantly reduced in the past three fiscal years. At the same time, the costs of goods and services have increased. We must get our fiscal house in order.”

Prior to accepting the position of Interim Superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools, Dr. Bourisaw served as the President of Education Options, a Missouri consulting firm specializing in organizational, policy, accountability, and financial reviews focusing on high poverty districts. She has also served as the Executive Vice President of DHR International, an executive search and consulting firm, since 2003.

She was the interim State Supervisor for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, a position in which she oversaw accreditation reviews for school districts across the state.

Dr. Bourisaw has served as a superintendent of the Fox C-6 School District, an 11,000-student school district in Arnold Missouri, and as Area Superintendent in the Sacramento City Unified School District, a 50,000 school district in Sacramento, California. During the time she was in Fox C-6, the district realized improved student achievement at all levels, the dropout rate reduced by half, increased district fund balances and increased student attendance. In Sacramento, Dr. Bourisaw was the area Superintendent responsible for 16 schools with an enrollment of 14,000 students

ST. LOUIS BOARD OF EDUCATION PASSES BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

St. Louis – The St. Louis Board of Education passed a $382 million spending plan for Fiscal Year 2007 at its regular board meeting held on July 18. The revenue anticipated for the fiscal year totals $385 million. The passing of the budget ensures that schools will be successfully opened on Aug. 28.

“I’m pleased the Board of Education agreed to pass this budget so that we can order textbooks for our students and make sure our facilities are ready for the new school year,” said Diana Bourisaw, interim superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools. “The budget also includes funding to institute teacher pay increases,” she said.

There has been confusion regarding the budget that passed. The resolution that passed was the same budget introduced at the administrative meeting held on July 11.

[This is a statement by Jeff Smith regarding the recent situation in the St. Louis Public Schools]


"I am very disappointed with the actions of the board majority. Instead of focusing on the needs of the children, the board majority has forced out a man who had a plan to revive our school system. In just over a year, Creg Williams helped the system make great strides with the ninth grade academies; the move towards smaller, more manageable high schools; and, a push towards college preparation. The board should have given him a chance to see his plans through. While some individuals raise legitimate concerns about decisions made during his tenure, I am not convinced that he was guilty of the gross negligence of which he has been accused. He brought energy, intellect and dynamism to the system. Those of us who care about St. Louis, its children, and the future of our neighborhoods can only hope and pray that our new leadership exhibits the same passion and concern for the children that Dr. Williams displayed. A district's chief clients are the children, and their welfare should be the central concern of all decisions going forward."
 
[Text of Senator Maida Coleman's letter to Governor Matt Blunt on St. Louis Public Schools]
 
 July 18, 2006
 
 Honorable Matt Blunt
 Governor of the State of Missouri
 State Capitol
 Jefferson City, MO 65101
 
 Dear Governor:
 
 I have read the statement you released on July 17th concerning the St. Louis Board of Education and circumstances leading up to their decision involving the hiring of a new superintendent. As the minority leader of the Missouri State Senate and the Senator for the city of St. Louis, whose district includes the School Board headquarters, I would have thought you would have consulted me first before calling for the State Board of Education to get involved in this matter. From the comments in your press release, I can only conclude that you think the State Board of Education
 should move toward a state takeover of the district. This type of thinking is unwarranted and without merit and I am in total disagreement with any such suggestion.
 
 The School Board made an administrative decision based on what they thought was in the best interest of the children of the St. Louis Public Schools, and I support their authority, which is derived from the citizens who elected them. With the latest action, this current School Board is trying to bring some stability for the first time in three years to the district, which can now concentrate on educating children without any outside political pressures such as we have seen over the past three years.
 
 Did you call for the State Board of Education to examine the past School Board when they wasted over $5 million dollars of public taxpayer funds on an outside turn around consulting firm that knew nothing about public education?
 
 The only instability that you talk about in your press release that has occurred happened under the old majority school board, which the Mayor of St. Louis helped elect. During the three-year period the district did notimprove at all. In fact, in 2003, before the Mayor's slate was elected, the
 school district was only 2 points from full accreditation, and since that time the district is now over 20 points from full accreditation. This new board, elected by the people of the City of St. Louis, has finally closed the chapter on three years of decline and has hired an experienced school superintendent who understands Missouri public education. I believe that the State needs to let Diana Bourisaw put her skills to use and to do so without more unnecessary outside political pressures.
 
 Those from the City of St. Louis who are calling for a state takeover are merely upset that they no longer control the Board of Education of the St. Louis Public Schools. For many of them it is NOT about the kids, but about power. What they could not get at the ballot box in the past April elections they are now trying to get from State officials. As Governor, you should not lose sight of this attempt at blatant manipulation.
 
 The school district is not unaccredited and the State Board of Education should not be called upon to usurp local control with some possible State takeover. This concept has not worked in other state in similar situations and would not work in St. Louis. The people spoke loudly in April that they wanted a new direction for the school district, one that was not under the control of City Hall but in the hands of parents, teachers, and public school supporters.   It is clear from the facts surrounding the board's action that they made a reasonable decision in accepting Dr. William's resignation. It appears he was not following school board policy, was not taking direction from the board on many issues, spending money that he may not have had the authority to do so, and was public criticizing the board for decisions they felt were in the best interests of the district. It should be remembered that the superintendent works for the board and not vice-versa. In turn, it is the board that answers to the citizens.
 
The citizens of the City of St. Louis in the April School Board elections soundly determined that they had had enough of the last three years and wanted a new school board and a new direction for the district to attain full accreditation. I, as well as many other city of St. Louis legislators, feel that by asking the State Board of Education to intervene, you are disenfranchising the election process of a local school board.
 
 I believe once you get past all the misinformation that is floating around, this school district has done nothing to warrant a state intervention as it is operating in accordance with state statute and is currently provisionally accredited. There are many other provisionally accredited school districts operating in Missouri whose school boards are making tough decisions and I don't see you asking the State Board of Education to get involved with them, as I believe you shouldn't.

 I believe Diana Bourisaw has a great challenge ahead of her, but she has the experience and ability to move this district forward. She will work quickly to address the budget crisis of the district, which has come about because of declining state revenues. I might add that some of those form the City of St. Louis who are calling for a state takeover have supported many proposals before the legislature that would reduce state revenues for the district and make it weaker still, so I question the seriousness of their concern for the success of the St. Louis Public Schools. I am in strong support to allow the new superintendent to try and succeed in helping the children of the St. Louis Public Schools. She is the first person in the past three years that truly has superintendent experience for the St. Louis Public Schools and the state should let her put her experience to work.
 
 I would hope we could discuss this further and work together in moving public education forward not only in the City of St. Louis, but also in the entire state of Missouri.
 
 Sincerely,
 
 Maida J. Coleman		 [Governor Matt Blunt issued the following statement July 14, 2006]


"I am extremely disappointed with the action taken by the St. Louis School Board. This termination adds to the turmoil and only heightens the well founded public perception that the board has lost focus on what would best serve the students and parents of St. Louis.

This kind of instability is not good for delivering education. Amidst all the chaos we must not lose sight of what is in the best interest of the more than 37,000 Missouri children who rely upon the St. Louis public schools to provide them an education which would allow them to reach their full potential.

To that end I believe the State Board of Education should examine every alternative for quick action to bring stability to the St. Louis public schools."

 

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