2005

Peter Downs, publisher of St. Louis Schools Watch and a parent of SLPS students, will be announcing his candidacy for a seat on the St. Louis School Board on Saturday, Dec. 10.Downs' supporters hope the…

Future of Gifted Education, Magnet Schools in DoubtBy Peter DownsNovember 22, 2005 –– Last Friday, David Welch, director of gifted education programs for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, gave representatives from metropolitan…

According to the Missouri Ethics Commission, Steve Brown, treasurer for Jeff Smith 2006, has "bad PM". For some struggling to read Brown's chicken scratch on Jeff Smith's latest campaign finance reports, bad PM means bad…

The AP is reporting the top priorities for 2006 for members of Missouri's congressional delegation. Here are some highlights.Sen. Kit Bond, Republican:"My top priority is to see that Missouri gets its fair share of federal…

October 24, 2005 -- Catch PUB DEF Weekly's editor, Antonio French, Monday, October 24, on KDHX 88.1's 'Collateral Damage' along with civic blogger Steve Patterson as they discuss the news, politics, and happenings of St.…

October 24, 2005 -- Approximately 40 people showed up to hear from Mayor Francis Slay and Alderman Jennifer Florida tonight at the Carpenter Branch Library for a town hall meeting in the 15th Ward.Questions primarily…

PUB DEF Weekly is pleased to announce it is now hosting a blog for Peter Down's informative St. Louis Schools Watch.The URL is http://slswatch.pubdef.net and it will be updated often, so check it regularly.This continues…

The Washington Post today reported that the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee dropped $500 million in proposed food stamp cuts, thanks in part to the protests of Jim Talent (R-MO) and Rick Santorum (R-PA). According to…

November 9, 2005 -- St. Louis Schools Watch has a redesigned blog. Stories from the newsletter published by Peter Downs, parent and former school board candidate, can now be seen online at www.SLSWatch.PUBDEF.net

by Susan TurkNovember 5, 2005 -- In front of a standing room only crowd at a revival-meeting-cum-pep-rally at Vashon High School last Thursday, St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Creg Williams introduced his plan to respond…