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DEF is a non-partisan, independent political blog based in the
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With the Black Caucus and its allies clearly with the votes to hire the Board attorney of their choice, and the opposition, led by Alderman Steve Conway, forced into desperation, shouting and disorder, Alderman and Caucus member Freeman Bosley, Sr. abruptly calls for adjournment.
The looks of his stunned colleagues could only be described as... "WTF?"
The second and decisive round of this important battle will be Wednesday. Stay tuned.
The elected board may not be happy with receiving what it asked for by forcing the issue.
Sources say Judge Richard Callahan has ruled against the Board of Education and placed the finances of St. Louis Public Schools under the control of the Special Administrative Board. A formal written ruling is expected shortly.
The elected and appointed school boards of St. Louis Public Schools are set to clash today in a Jefferson City courtroom after Board President Peter Downs allegedly attempted to make himself the sole signer of district checks yesterday.
Downs apparently went into U.S. Bank yesterday with a resolution from the St. Louis Board of Education authorizing him to remove the district's chief financial officer as a signer. The bank, apparently aware of the ongoing power struggle, said they would only do so with a court order.
Upon hearing about Downs' action, attorneys for the Special Administrative Board filed for a temporary restraining order. That hearing is scheduled be heard this afternoon by Judge Richard Callahan, the same judge that denied the elected board's request to stop the state takeover.
It is unclear when the elected board approved such a resolution, which should have been done in open session, or who voted in favor.
Developing...
UPDATE @ 4:40 p.m. — The elected board may not be happy with receiving what it asked for by forcing the issue. Judge Callahan has ruled against the Board of Education and placed the finances of St. Louis Public Schools under the control of the Special Administrative Board.
UPDATE 2 @ 4:47 p.m. — Board President Peter Downs tells PubDef.net that he personally did not go to the bank. Rather, the Board's attorney forwarded a letter to U.S. Bank requesting them to make Downs' the sole signer, which the bank refused to do without a court order.
UPDATE 3 @ 5:00 p.m. — The elected board approved this action in closed session before Tuesday's public meeting. The vote was unanimous among the six members present (Flynt Flowler was not).
The conclusion of a report earlier this week by Channel 2's Charles Jaco raises an interesting question: Will the loss of the city school's accreditation lead to another wave of parents moving out of the city?
State Representative and likely State Senate candidate Tom Villa raised just $500 last quarter, well below the amount expected to be shown by his chief rival, State Rep. Rodney Hubbard*.
According to campaign finance reports filed yesterday, Villa received just one contribution last quarter, $500 from the Missouri Rental Dealers Association on June 25. That is the same day the southside Democrat filed papers authorizing his State Rep campaign committee to raise funds for his State Senate bid.
After spending $2,538.19, Villa was left with just $27,280.44.
Meanwhile, Hubbard's report, which is expected to be filed sometime Monday, is rumored to show more than $100,000 raised.
*Rodney Hubbard is a client of A.D. French & Assoc.
As I am sometimes forced to do, I'm pulling out the ol' Bat-signal. Send aid, my techie brothers and sisters!
Yesterday I shot about two hours of great video, which I was planning to post over the next few days. I mean really good stuff here. Combest would've loved it.
But when I came back to edit it... (pause for effect)... disaster.
Dropping audio. Choppy video. WTF?! (See this video as an example.)
See, when I was running low on tape, I switched from SP to LP, allowing me 90 minutes of tape time instead of just 60. The bit I taped at SP (60 mins) is just fine, but the rest — and of course this was the best stuff too — is all messed up.
I use a Canon GL1 and Sony MiniDV tapes. Can I take the tape somewhere and have it imported on a different deck? Is there something I can do in Final Cut Pro?
The Board of Adjustment sided with the City yesterday and ordered Jim Roos' two-story "End Eminent Domain Abuse" mural to be removed.
Roos, a longtime anti-eminent domain activist, argued before the Board that supporters of the use of eminent domain often have hundreds of thousands of dollars at their disposal to persuade city officials and the general public. But opponents, many of them poor or elderly homeowners, may only have signs on their own property as their only means to inform neighbors and warn the public about the dark side of eminent domain.
But one alderman thinks neighbors informing neighbors may not be such a good thing. Roos' attorney supplied PubDef.net with a copy of a letter Ald. Phyllis Young (7th Ward) wrote to the city's zoning administrator.
"If this sign is allowed to remain," wrote Young, "then anyone with property along any thoroughfare can paint signs indicating the opinion or current matter relevant to the owner to influence passersby with no control by any City agency."
The stating of one's opinion without the approval of the government? What's next — an informed electorate, high voter participation, accountability to the general public? Anarchy!
Our town's Gentry Trotter has worn many hats in his day, but this may be the first time he's worked for a Republican Missouri governor. Trotter, known mostly for his pr mavenry, has been named special assistant to Ed Martin, Gov. Matt Blunt's chief of staff, and communications advisor to the Governor's office.
Trotter is expected to provide statewide counsel in the area of media relations and community outreach. He will also advise the administration about utilities, economic development, consumer issues and boards and commissions. Trotter does some similar tasks with Democratic St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay.
Members of the elected school board dropped a stack of homework on Superintendent Diana Bourisaw's desk last night.
The Board added to next week's agenda requests for 20 different reports and information requests from Bourisaw and her staff. But all the other requests really could have been rolled up into the one from former Board President Veronica O'Brien: a letter from Bourisaw saying who she thinks she works for — the elected board that hired her or the newly appointed board that is in charge of the district now?
Requests from the board members present:
From David Jackson: an executive summary on district's procedures for dealing with staff abuse of students.
From Veronica O'Brien: a letter stating who Bourisaw thinks she works for and a request for what exactly "academic leave" is and is the superintendent paid while she is on it.
From Donna Jones: an update on the RFP for the district's food service contract, a report on the supplies the district currently has, and the status of a proposed back-to-school fair.
From Kate Wessling: a report on how the administration plans to handle excessive heat in un-airconditioned classrooms.
From Bill Purdy:
the identities of the 30 employees who were laid off last week, the rationale for doing so, and any plans for new layoffs;
detailed report on the employee early retirement plan;
update on repairs to Metro High;
status on air conditioning projects;
status on text books and supply orders;
status of food service contract;
enrollment projects for next years and the number of empty seats in magnet schools;
report on previously approved property sales;
report on teacher staffing;
review of superintendent's evaluation for previous year;
what (if any) plans for "split" classes next year;
what is the status of the new gifted high school at McKinley;
and reports from the district employees who traveled to Harvard for a seminar on urban education on what they learned
Bourisaw was not at last night's meeting. She, along with several district employees and CEO Rick Sullivan, are attending a seminar at Harvard University on urban education. According to a district spokesperson, she is expected to be back in the office on Monday.
You may have heard that two concert-goers were injured Sunday at Beyonce's concert at the ScottTrade Center. They were reportedly taken to Barnes-Jewish Hospital where they were treated for minor burns.
You may have also heard that Beyonce visited the two victims at Barnes later that night.
"Last Thursday, our system failed to protect our youngest and most vulnerable. But the system was broken long before the evening of July 6th," said Jamilah Nasheed.
"If a 12-year-old boy can be spurred to this type of violence, there is something inherently wrong and out of order. Our community needs to come together and fix it."
The "Save Our Children" Prayer Vigil and Rally will take place at the intersection of Vandeventer and St. Louis Avenue, near Purtty's home, on Wednesday, July 11, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Click here to read the press release.
State Representative Jamilah Nasheed is encouraging the elected and the appointed school boards to work together for the sake of improving student performance.
In a June 9th letter to the governor-appointed CEO of St. Louis Public Schools, Rick Sullivan, Nasheed wrote:
Dear Mr. Sullivan,
It is no secret that I opposed the state takeover of the St. Louis Public Schools as being against the best interests of district students and taxpayers. Now that the takeover is a reality, at least until pending litigation is resolved, it is vital for the newly appointed Special Administrative Board and the elected St. Louis Board of Education to cooperate, rather than compete, in the governance of the SLPS.
In the month since the takeover took effect, the appointed board has been dismissive of any sort of working relationship with the elected board. For its part, the elected board has resisted the authority of the appointed board. This impasse serves the interests of no one involved, least of all St. Louis students.
I firmly believe that all parties only want what is best for our young people. Therefore, I propose the two boards hold a joint town hall meeting so the boards’ members and the public can work to establish a common ground from which to pursue the difficult work of improving the quality of education provided by the SLPS. With the start of the 2007-2008 school year just two months away, this effort at conciliation should take place sooner rather than later.
I appreciate your consideration of this matter. If I can be of assistance in arranging a town hall meeting and fostering better communication between the two boards, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Aldermanic President Lewis Reed has launched a new website designed to keep city residents informed about important issues being discusses at the Board of Aldermen and highlight some of the great things going on in our city.
www.PresidentReed.com will feature videos and photos of the latest events and happenings around town, and links to websites and legislation of interest.
"As someone with a background in Information Technology, I am very excited to use the latest tools technology has to offer to keep St. Louisans informed of the important work we're doing at the Board and of the exciting changes happening in our great city," said President Reed.
The St. Louis Public Schools Special Administrative Board will hold a Special Board Meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Administration Building, Foundation Room, 801 N. 11th Street. The meeting will begin with a motion to go into closed session to discuss legal and personnel matters.
This comes a week after the district announced 34 layoffs, or "Reduction in Force" notices, which Superintendent Diana Bourisaw said were authorized by the elected board last month. However, Board President Peter Downs denied that. There has been no comment so far from the district's governor-appointed CEO, Rick Sullivan.
Here is the agenda as posted on the SLPS website:
EXECUTIVE SESSION AGENDA
1. Call To Order 2. Roll Call 3. Motion to go into Closed Session 4. Legal Matters 5. Personnel Matters 6. Adjournment
A new law signed Friday by Governor Matt Blunt encourages abstinence-only education in Missouri's public schools and bars some experts from teaching classes on sex or STDs. House Bill 1055 adds to the existing law, which states all sex education courses must present students with "the latest medically factual information regarding both the possible side effects and health benefits of all forms of contraception, including the success and failure rates for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases..."
The new law adds: "...or shall present students with information on contraceptives and pregnancy in a manner consistent with the provisions of the federal abstinence education law".
In addition, the new law restricts agents of abortion providers (read: Planned Parenthood) from offering, sponsoring, or furnishing in any manner any course materials or instruction relating to human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases.
Gov. Matt Blunt today appointed Jackson County Drug Court Commissioner Brian Curtis Wimes to Circuit Judge of the 16th Circuit - Division 18 to replace Judge Jon Gray, who retired.
Judge Gray was appointed by then-Gov. John Ashcroft to circuit judge in 1986 and was the first African American to serve the 16th Circuit. Wimes is also African American.
"We must work to ensure that all Missourians are represented in their government and that in all cases qualified Missourians are elevated to service," Blunt said. "Brian Wimes’ experience overseeing the county’s drug court and his dedication to public service and the law of our state will be invaluable as he assumes this new role. Missourians can be proud he has agreed to serve in this capacity."
Mr. Wimes, 41 of Kansas City, has served as Jackson County Drug Court Commissioner for more than five years. He previously worked in the Jackson County prosecutor’s office, where he was named Rookie Prosecutor of the Year and received national honors. He also worked for the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons, Litigation Branch. Mr. Wimes earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Kansas and a law degree from Texas Southern University.
Mr. Wimes is an active community participant. In 2002, he was honored as a member of Ingram’s Magazine’s “40 under Forty”. He is a member of St. Monica’s Catholic Church, on the board of directors for the Hope House Domestic Violence Shelter and has participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Mr. Wimes was one of three candidates for the circuit judge position sent to Blunt by the 16th Judicial Commission, which accepts applications and selects candidates to fill judicial vacancies within this circuit. The governor can only appoint one of the three candidates submitted to him by the commission.
The five-member 16th Judicial Commission is made up of the chief judge for the Western Court of appeals, two attorney’s elected by the Missouri Bar, and two gubernatorial appointees.
Third Ward Alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr. has called on Police Chief Joe Mokwa to investigate claims by the family of 13-year-old Alexus Purtty that repeated calls to 911 were not responded to in time to prevent the girl's murder.
Purtty, a star student at Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts Middle School, was stabbed to death Thursday night allegedly by a 12-year-old neighbor.
Family members say they called police several times about the harassing 12-year-old, but by the time police arrived, he was gone.
"If police had gotten here when I called, then maybe this wouldn't have happened," Purtty's mom told reporters.
You can't hate on a brother for trying to make some dough before his twilight years.
The Post-Dispatch confirms 53-year-old former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronnie White is joining the law firm of Holloran and Schwartz — and as a partner, no less. From Jake Wagman's post:
One of the firm’s partners is Jim Holloran, a personal injury attorney who is probably better known for his Soulard tavern, McGurk’s, where White was to be feted Friday — his last day on the bench — to celebrate the new gig.
Holloran and Co. also offered another toast to the former head judge: the firm will now be known as Holloran, White & Schwartz.
Honoring Missouri's First: In 1995, Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan named the first African-American to the Supreme Court. Last week marked a milestone for St. Louis native, Justice Ronnie White, who resigned from the state's highest court. Recently friends from the judicial, civic and business communities came to pay tribute to retired Justice White at a farewell bash at McGurk's Irish Pub and Garden. Here (left to right) St. Louis juvenile commissioner Anne Clark, and Alderwoman Marlene Davis watched former Missouri Supreme Court Justice Ronnie White accept a proclamation from Charles Bryson, executive assistant to St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay, who was on vacation. (Photo and caption by Gentry Trotter)
No longer in control of the district's purse strings, three elected school board members are calling on supporters to make financial contributions to help with the cost of the legal challenge to St. Louis' Public Schools unaccreditation.
School Board President Peter Downs, board members Bill Purdy and Donna Jones have established the Save Our Children's Education nonprofit corporation. "Our purpose is to raise money to fund legal efforts to defend our school district," wrote Purdy.
"Toward that end we have retained the Jefferson City law firm of Brydon, Swearengen & England to represent us. The law firm of Lashly Baer is also part of our legal team. We have set a goal of raising $40,000."
In addition to direct donations, the group is sponsoring a fundraiser concert next week.
The Black Notes, a jazz quintet from the Metro High School, and local group The U-Turns will perform at The Atomic Cowboy, 4140 Manchester, on Thursday, July 19, from 7 - 10:00 p.m. Cost is $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.
Direct donations can be mailed to:
SAVE OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION P.O. BOX 21642, ST. LOUIS, MO. 63109-0642
