How do we improve educational opportunities in St. Louis? That is one of the unanswered questions that has defined our region — as well as many other urban areas around the country — for more than three decades. Is is also the subject of an upcoming public forum which marks the return of former St. Louis Public Schools superintendent Cleveland Hammonds.
On Saturday, March 1, the St. Louis Board of Education (or “the elected board”, as it has become known as) will host a forum on public education at the Schlafly Library, 225 North Euclid Ave., from 11:00 to 2:00 PM.
Attendees will hear presentations from professional educators, including: Dr. Nancy Williams, assistant dean of education, Maryville University; Dr. John Wright, interim superintendent of Normandy Public Schools; Dr. Kathryn Pole, professor of educational studies, St. Louis University; Dr. Joyce Roberts, former principal of the national award-winning Laclede School; Tom Nolan, executive director of Access Academies; Rich Patton, director of Vision for Children at Risk; Mary Armstrong, president of the St. Louis teachers’ union, AFT Local 420; and Dr. Cleveland Hammonds, Jr., former SLPS superintendent.
We haven’t heard much from Dr. Hammonds since he retired in 2003. Hammonds led the district for seven years (a term, which compared to those of the six superintendents since Hammonds, seems expansive).
Group discussion, as well as public comments and questions, will follow the presentations. All are welcome.
