Many believe by bringing “GOD” back into the schools would elimenate much of the problems. Teaching morals and princepals within the schools (even though it may not be taught in many homes accross the country) may assist in many of the issues envolved with the schools.

I attended—these are my observations. Did my music until 1 a.m. in Crystal City, got up early enough to set up stuff for tonight, and drove to st. louis—it is harder than ever to get on highway 40 from 55 downtown. The parking at the library was easy—and cheaper than a Cardinal baseball game—there is not even a subtle point to make of that.

I was there in time to hear Cleveland Hammonds speak—-he said he feels differently now about the importance of political involvement to fight for what is needed—staying above the fray is not the right attitude. Nolan talked about access academies, and evidently someone on the board had the same thought i did—the “rigorous” requirements of long days, long school year, brought to mind the much touted Kipps school coming in next year. He said there were differences, but I heard him say if students behave themselves and apply themselves they do very well. I wondered—how many don’t, and what becomes of them.

I was struck by the fact that the much abused elected board was taking a risk—asking a group of professional educators to gather, and hoping people would show up. The crowd was almost overflowing, but managable and very attentive. I found the turnout amazing—I am not that busy, but the people who were there really are. What dedication to give up this much time on a Saturday. For intangible, but valuable rewards.

Dr. Williams, who used to teach middle school had a forceful, passionate delivery about things which are needed.

There were more than 15 people signed up to ask questions—Peter Downs said we have 10 minutes and 12 questions to go, so edit them down a little—Board member Jackson said the next question comes from Percy Green—that might have been the loudest laugh of the day.
There were too many questions to get to everyone who signed up—I told Ron Jackson that I understood, being a karoke operator who has to tell people every night that we are out of time. We talked a little about how much more attention needs to be paid to the state department of ed.

Dr. Hammonds had pretty much answered the things about which I wanted to ask–I kept thinking–7 years? That fact alone should earn him a spot as a regular voice on the pd op-ed page—I asked him if he would be willing to do a commentary on a regular basis if Eric Mink or whoever wanted him to—he indicated he would. He obviously still cares a lot about the system he served, and is well aware of everything going on.

I met Ms Wessling—she told me i made her mother’s day the night i called in to donnybrook and took them to task for—well—all i remember was i took them to task. I pointed out to Byron Clemens a study of Milwaukee which you can find at Arch City Chronicle regarding a comparison of their voucher schools and their public schools—get this—they found public school parents spent more time helping their kids with homework than the voucher parents—-in spite of having double the load of children with learning disabilities, the public schools did just as well on testing. Byron told me about the mayor of Indianapolis not being re-elected.

I tried to overcome my uneasiness about being an outsider with the belief that it was ok—what is happening in st. louis will affect the rest of the state in ways which, so far, people seem not very aware.

Congratulations to all who cared enough to attend.

Yikes! David Jackson, not Ron.

Unlike the Cardinals, they were not selling scorecards–