Support Parents AND Superintendent Williams
Today is election day and only two of the five candidates for the St. Louis School Board have kids in the system and support much of Superintendent Williams’ plan to reform the schools: Peter Downs and Donna Jones. Don’t take my word for it, listen to Downs himself:
Please vote for Downs & Jones for School Board, give the local community college the funding they need and don’t change the process for recalling an aldermen until they’ve reformed themselves.
– Steve
As much as parents should be openly involved in our schools, I think re-opening closed schools, such as the one used behind Downs in his ad, would risk our school district even being able to afford educating children at remaining schools.
Listening to this campaign video, I hear obvious criticism of past board decisions, but also frightening distrust for our new superintendent’s plans. It’s perfectly natural for a challenger to criticize his opponent’s record, especially when challenging an incumbent seeking re-election. But criticizing our new superintendent whom Downs says in his ad “parents consider controversial” is a shock. Indeed, I think such criticism of Williams should put up a huge red flag for concerned voters.
Hearing more from Downs about what he stands against, not for, I’m deeply worried that a win by Downs and Jones will empower the wrong majority on our school board. A majority led by Bill Purdy and Veronica O’Brien, with Peter Downs and Donna Jones joining, could easily tie our new superintendent’s experienced hands from effectively improving our schools.
Williams ain’t perfect, though. I would not want a school board member to be totally uncritical of a powerful appointed official.
Yet, as an educator trying to get a job done with the clowns on the board in the way, I’ll bet Williams is the biggest critic of the Slay majority.
You would be wrong… I’ll take that bet.
Mr. Williams wouldn’t be here without the Slay majority.
I’m not trying to be combative here, but, do you think Donna Jones is a more qualified and capable school board member than James Buford? Have you heard both of them spe0ak? I can understand a vote for Downs instead of Clinksdale and the others, but what are your reasons for Jones over Buford?
[REPLYI have heard both Jones & Buford speak. Frankly, I’m not impressed by Buford at any level. We do need board members to support and guide the Superintendent what we don’t need are rubber stamping yes-men and women. I believe Clinksdale & Buford do as they are told by outside forces — those funding their campaigns to the tune of $400K!!! I want a board that will support when appropriate but ask questions when necessary. – SLP]
I’ve heard Republican Jim Buford speak, and what I have heard is a well-meaning creature of the machine. Buford lacks vision and independence — and newcomer Jones has these things.