By Antonio D. French
Filed Monday, July 10 at 10:01 AM
Sources tell The Watch that much (if not all) of the staff in St. Louis Public School's State and Federal Programs office, also known as the Title 1 office, was fired last week.
A district spokesman confirmed that several district employees did receive so-called "reduction in force" (RIF) letters, but he could not immediately confirm the number or percentage of Title 1 staff that was let go.
If indeed the Title 1 office was gutted, it raises concerns about SLPS' compliance with some federal funding requirements. It also puts in serious doubt the district's ability to effectively administer current and future Title 1 funds.
Sources also tell The Watch that the assessment office of the Career and Vocational Education department was eliminated last week, with those employees also receiving RIF letters.
That office was responsible for assessing students' vocational aptitude in order to point them to a vocational program that suits them. During the district's last accreditation review, the lack of vocational education was one of the areas where SLPS lost needed points.
Others said to have received RIF letters include Marla Oakes, who was just promoted to director of special education and student services in April, and the top four people under her. That suggests that there is currently no one overseeing the district's special education services.
[Correction: Oakes and several others from the Special Education office resigned, effective July 31. We're told that replacements are not currently lined up. Again, no official comment has yet been given from the district.]
The Watch has also been told that one person in the district's Human Resources department who understood the system used to send important core data to the state was one of those who was RIFed.
The Watch is awaiting comment from the district.
Developing...
12 Comments:
Apparently, the Superintendent is a complete moron. Is he trying to get himself fired? Does he know how big the mess is that he's created? Is he playing with a full deck?
Monday, July 10, 2006 11:22:13 AM
Well, Well, Well. the ball falls down. I have a friend in title 1 who told me all this past school year that spanpanito spent a million or two out of title 1 money on things that they were not suppose to spend money on, and would have to pay the money back it caught! Now I just spoke with this friend yesterday and they said they had been on vacation all last week and didnt know if they would have a job when they got back. Craig new where the money was going, he knew it wasnt going to the right places but now looks like the feds and state also know where the money went, so along with other debts they will have to payback some millions in misdirected grant money. VERY SAD FOR THE DISTRICT, when is the next district meeting, I would like to attend?
Monday, July 10, 2006 1:40:01 PM
I believe the next meeting is tomorrow night 7-11-06. It is always on a Tuesday night. Now to ask a question that was asked of me....Does Sodexho have a license electrian and master plumber pulling their permits (as required by city code) for them?
Monday, July 10, 2006 2:00:10 PM
beginning to side with anonymous.
Monday, July 10, 2006 8:38:08 PM
Well, when will Creg hire a few more people with inflated salaries while the "loyal" people get the crumbs? Secretaries, assistant principals and principals are still wainting for the "salary audit". That was to be completed in January (which year is the mystery)so Creg can tell how much some are underpaid. Anyone with a computer or a calculator knows if they are underpaid. Guess he has a few cronies waiting in the wings.
Monday, July 10, 2006 8:44:14 PM
most likely from Phillie or Ctown. Anony, I despised you initially, but you are garnering my coveted respect.
Monday, July 10, 2006 8:54:11 PM
The level of potential mismanagment of our district and our funds has surpassed freightening and is quickly approaching the absurd.
Monday, July 10, 2006 9:13:01 PM
Kudos to you, Travis, for understanding the complexities of our district and the implications re as much for our children.
Monday, July 10, 2006 10:03:24 PM
The Superintendent is indeed playing with a full deck- stacked and loaded with jokers:)
Monday, July 10, 2006 10:05:09 PM
Administrative BOE meeting is tomorrow, 7:00 at 801 N. 11th. The regular BOE meeting is the following Tuesday at 7:00, Carr Lane. We NEED EVERYONE'S SUPPORT!
Monday, July 10, 2006 10:08:25 PM
You all have to see this,
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/
1535857/20060707/index.jhtml?
headlines=true
Tuesday, July 11, 2006 2:42:44 AM
Not surprising. Anyone involved in education already knows this. This problem reflects how society views education. Other issues not discussed in the article are how many students are living on their own and going to high school? How many are homeless? How many are playing the second parent for younger brothers and sisters? Not to mention teenage women having babies for trophies. Moms now Grandmothers seem to welcome this because it could mean more money coming into the house. One such teen mother wanted me to congratulate her on becoming pregnant. I asked her when she was getting married and she said she wasn’t marrying the young man who got her pregnant. I then told her you obviously didn’t learn how to protect your self from either Mom of health class. In the school I taught in I counted at least ten seniors who were pregnant at the time of graduation. These are some of the issues that urban students bring to the classroom more so than students in other school districts. However the government feels this does not affect student learning. Government officials want every student to attend college but that is also unrealistic. Urban students want something for nothing because they feel that grades are owed to them. Then when they get an F they ask why did you give an F. I hold a mirror up and show them who gave them the F.
Glad to see that you starting to find proof to topics I been talking about in other blogs. It is a shame that you will not believe what a teacher says about what happens in a classroom until it comes out by some author in another state and from the MTV website.
The main topic for this blog is the Reduction in force notices that employees received last week. I feel sorry for Marla but I am sure a Williams’ friend, relative, or bodyguard has replaced her. According to another source from 801 Williams has assistants for assistants for assistants. Is this fair NO! I just received a e-mail from the teachers union stating that teachers who have more seniority have the right to “bump” teachers with lesser experience. Is this fair NO! As I have said before just because you have more experience doesn’t mean you are a better teacher and I can prove this.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006 11:17:54 AM
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