2005

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…

Chris Wright, the superintendent of Hazelwood Public Schools, has written a sharply-worded letter to the chief executive officer of Applied Scholastics rejecting her claim that the company is working with Hazelwood Public Schools to tutor…

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…

Alderman Dionne Flowers (D-2nd Ward) will be hosting a summit on crime on Thursday, Dec. 15. It will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Northpark United Methodist Church, 1525 Orchid Ave. Police Chief Joe Mokwa…

Our town is in for a treat this weekend as Brooklyn, Illinois native and world-renowned baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett performs on Saturday, November 26, in Soulard.Bluiett, a founding member of the World Saxophone Quartet who…

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…

By Peter DownsSt. Louis Mayor Francis Slay yesterday unveiled his first major moves to retain control of the school board. He announced the resignation of Vincent Schoemehl from the board a mere four and a…

October 26, 2005 -- Health and Environmental Justice (HEJ) will be picketing outside City Hall today at 3:45 to call attention to the city's poor record on the issue of lead poisoning of our city's…

According to campaign finance reports electronically filed by Amber Boykins' campaign for state senate, the four-term state representative (D-60) made a $15,000 no-interest loan to her campaign.It's not uncommon for candidates to do this to…

Former Missouri Lt. Governor Harriett Woods will be discussing the process of elections and candidate-selection Wednesday, December 7.Woods will be discussing ongoing Democratic recruitment efforts for challengers for both state House and Senate seats.The former…