Louis Cross
Please supply a brief autobiography including relevant employment and academic degrees completed. (one paragraph},
I am a native St. Louisan. I attended SLPS and graduated from Sumner High School. Married 48 years to Gail Cross. We have two daughters, Lynn & Kelly.. Graduated with a BS in Physical Education & Psychology from Lincoln University. Masters & EDS in Guidance & Counseling from SIU Edwardsville. Received an Administrative Certification from Lindenwood University. I worked as a Physical Education Instructor, Guidance Counselor, Academic Coach/ Instructional Coordinator, Principal and Interim Superintendent for E. H. Lyle Charter Schools. 18 years adjunct professor at Lindenwood University.
The SLPS is currently governed by an appointed Special Administrative Board, whose current term ends June, 30 2019. The elected board has limited responsibilities. While possible, it is not guaranteed the elected board will return to power during the term for which you are running because the state board of education may extend the SAB for as many terms as they wish. Why, then, are you running?
I am running because I have the expertise and knowledge to move the district forward in a progressive, positive direction, in a facilities management, academic excellence and financial stability. I am a forty year veteran of St. Louis Public school system serving in numerous capacities.
If you believe the elected board will return to power, please explain why.
The appointed board has been in power for ten years and has requested to be removed from power and that the elected board be returned to their position of authority. They have done what they set out to do in restoring our school district to full accreditation for the last three consecutive years.
What is your understanding of the role of a school board member and what do you want to accomplish as a board member?
The primary role of each of the board members is to develop, policies and procedures to be carried out by the superintendent.
Are you the parent or grandparent of children who currently attend or recently graduated from the Public Schools?
No.
Did you attend and/or graduate from the SLPS? Yes.
Have you ever worked for the SLPS or are you related to a current or former employee? Yes.
Have you, in the past served as a board member? No.
If you are not an SLPS parent, graduate, former employee or relation of one, or board member, do you have any other connection to the SLPS?
Other connections that I have to SLPS include: Trustee, Public School Retirement System of the City of St. Louis.
What are your thoughts about the Special Administrative Board which currently governs the district?
The candidate did not answer this question.
What is your understanding of the impact of charter schools on the SLPS? Should more charter schools open in the city?
The candidate did not answer this question.
The SAB is currently developing a not for profit corporation called the Consortium Partnership Network which will be governed by its own appointed board and whose purpose will be to govern the lowest performing schools. Meramec and Ashland elementary schools have been assigned to the CPN for the 2019-2020 school years. The CPN will be empowered to contract with private not-for-profit companies to manage these schools. If returned to governance, the elected board will have an as yet undefined oversight role regarding the CPN but no direct oversight of the schools they are assigned. What are your thoughts on this?
The elected board should have complete governance over the Consortium Partnership Network (CPN). Attempts to diminish the power and control of segments of the CPN will not receive my support. Any attempts to limit the oversight role of the elected board members or attempts to limit the oversight role regarding the CPN or the selection of schools that are assigned will not be supported by my vote. It appears that the SAB developed guidelines to limit the elected board’s governance of the CPN partnership. This is unacceptable and disrespectful.
Do you have any ideas to improve public confidence in SLPS and improve enrollment?
Improvement of the behavior and academic performance in SLSPS will enhance the confidence in our schools. Parents, who in the past, have sent their siblings to SLPS or now looking at Charter schools because of the lack of respectful behavior and low academic performance. A behavior team, which includes a full-time therapist, ISS monitor, teachers, social worker, counselor, and an assistant principal in all schools with 400 or more students , plus a therapeutic classroom for students who constantly disrupt the classroom. The team will develop strategies to drastically improve behavior Anas progress to improve academic performance.
The Missouri legislature usually considers bills that would expand school choice by expanding charter schools, using vouchers, education savings accounts or tuition tax credits making it possible for students to attend private schools using public money or depriving the state of general revenue so parents could use their own money for private tuition without suffering tax penalties. The Trump administration promotes school choice and may re-allocate Title I funding away from providing low income, children with extra resources to master reading and math toward expanding school choice options. School board members will be faced with an uphill battle in a struggle to attract and retain students to our school district. How will you respond to these challenging developments?
In order to improve the SLPS, vouchers, educational savings accounts or tax credits and re-allocation of Title 1 funds away from low income children are counter productive and can_______
What are your thoughts on the following legislation being considered by the Missouri legislature this year?
HB130 Sponsor: Carter
This bill specifies that the State Board of Education shall terminate the St. Louis City transitional school district if the district is classified as provisionally or fully accredited. Terminating the transitional school district shall return governance to the elected board of the school district. Since the SLPS is fully accredited this bill would have the effect of immediately returning the elected board to governance.
I agree with HB130 legislation if the school shows the necessary improvement there should be no need for a transitional board.
HB629 Sponsor: Quade
Beginning with the 2020-21 school year, this bill requires specified charter school applications that are approved by the State Board of Education (SBE) to not become effective until approved by the voters of the district in which the charter school is located. The bill requires that the charter approval be submitted to the voters of the district at the next municipal election or, if the next annual school election is more than 60 days away, at a special election. A majority vote is required for approval of the charter school application.
The candidate did not address this part of the question.
What are your thoughts on SLPS magnet schools?
Magnet schools are a fine addition to the SLPS landscape and have proven to be a truly effective tool in improving academic performance. SLPS should keep the Magnet School programs.
What are your thoughts on neighborhood schools?
I am all for neighborhood schools; but, in a great number of cases because of school closures, busing is the only viable option.
What ideas do you have to help students learn?
The district should provide a strong phonics program to improve reading and comprehension; also, adopt Singapore Math to improve Math scores.
What do you think about the MAP tests and standardized tests in general?
Standardized tests and MAP testing are here to stay. Not only in Missouri but nationwide in some form. While there has been some controversy as to their effectiveness in gauging full academic aptitude and cultural biases, presently, it’s the only tool we have in assessing our students across the board.
Approximately 70% of SLPS high school graduates who enroll in college must take remedial courses. What policies would you promote to lower this statistic?
Again, policies like phonics to enhance reading and Singapore Math to improve Math scores along with strong learning tools in all the core subject areas.
In the past, the elected school board has been criticized as dysfunctional. Local media have unfairly perpetuated this impression. How would your election to the board help to dispel this inaccurate perception?
The Elected Board, of which I will be a member, will function on a highly productive level and represent the parents , students, community and all employees in a manner that will make them proud that they voted for all elected board members.
