One of the biggest events in Missouri education occurred today, as the State Board of Education began the takeover process of the St. Louis Public Schools. http://dese.mo.gov/news/2007/SLPStransition.htm
I have had a front row seat at State Board meetings for just about a decade, and I can tell you that this was by far the ugliest meeting I've ever seen. I have seen busloads of constituents before, but not shouting and protesting. I've seen the State Board on the brink of large-urban district takeover, but never actually do it (Wellston is quite small). I've seen police protection before, but not AT the meetings, and not hovering around or escorting Board members in and out of the room through meeting interruptions. And I don't think I've ever seen so many union lapel buttons--at least not at these monthly meetings, nor have I ever heard them threaten a district shutdown in this state where strikes, sickouts, etc are illegal. I hardly know how else to paint the picture, except to add that viewpoints are so varied that I literally didn't know what several observers wanted; takeover or not.
Truthfully, these Board meetings are not public testimony-type events. All speakers and presenters are invited, without exception. There are no questions or comments from the audience, ever. And although I have always found these meetings interesting (even a DESE employee has good-naturedly poked fun at me for that), the meetings are essentially bureaucratic updates and decisions. For me, that's what makes the contrast between today's meeting and the others so striking.
The Board agreed on two points: that they each believe in doing what's best for the students, and that something needs to happen. They disagreed on the process and its immediacy, but the 5-2 decision was clear and respectful of each other's opinions, and that will continue after the meeting ends. The ugliness was not between the State Board members, but between them and the audience, who left after the vote to head a few blocks north to the capitol building.
About 5 years ago, when the State Board almost took over the Kansas City district, their accreditation data looked favorable, and so the State Board was able to wait to take action, because they knew they wouldn't have any action to take. But today, it's obvious that the data due from St. Louis is not good, and that they will lose their accreditation in the next few months, giving the State Board ample opportunities for intervention. Today's action was actually based on statute that came out of the 1998 desegregation settlement and is specific only to SLPS, while actions based on accreditation status applies to all unaccredited school districts in Missouri.
Today is the beginning of a very long legal and political road for the State Board and the St. Louis Public Schools, not to mention legislators, parents, employees, district constituents and taxpayers. But mostly, my heart goes out to the kids, and to the teachers who remain in their classrooms to teach and protect them.
Great description of the meeting - I look forward to hearing more about the issue. This is very interesting, uncharted waters that our state board is entering into. Is this going to be the "big fix" that we need for the situation? I doubt it . . . but it is time to start talking about what needs to be done.
Posted by: Joe Clauser | February 23, 2007 at 02:18 PM