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St. Louis Schools Watch
SAB Approves Motion to Return THE Elected School Board to Governance!
By Susan Turk
January 18, 2019--St. Louis--At tonight's SAB meeting, Richard Gaines made a motion that the SAB recommend to DESE and possibly the legislature the return of governance of the SLPS to the current elected board with a transition to be developed in the next few weeks.
The motion was approved unanimously.
The SAB will study all of the data that has been collected during the past three months and determine whether to submit legislation or alternatively to develop a collaborative process for a smooth transition with the elected board that would avoid the need for legislation. The transition proposal will be made public most likely at their February 13th meeting.
We are not out of the woods yet. There are still bills in the legislature that can harmfully impact SLPS and the politicization of the state board of education remains a concern. Currently the state board cannot meet because they lack a quorum. The governor has alienated so many senators with his manipulation of the state board to fire former DESE Commissioner Margie Vandeven that there are not enough votes in the senate to confirm his five appointees. And given the governor's own political problems over allegations he blackmailed a woman with whom he engaged in an extramarital affair involving bondage, it may be a while before these problems with the state board are resolved.
At the very least, the SAB appears to actually want to resolve their situation regarding governing the SLPS. The path of least resistance for them apparently is to serve out their term and prepare the elected board of education to replace them.
Gaines inferred that after 10 years the SAB should have the credibility to influence the powers that be in Jefferson City to follow their recommendation, especially if they have the support of the entire community behind them. He stated that he thought the people in the room, which included many people who have opposed them for these 10 years, would support their recommendations for transition.
There was cautious optimism in the room.
Thanks to everyone who made a speech, attended forums, participated in the survey, left comments, made phone calls, or sent emails and in any way contributed to this outcome.
Darnetta Clinkscale attended the meeting via speaker phone. She is home recuperating from heart surgery. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery!
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