School Vouchers Worth Considering in St. Louis

I may be about to lose my liberal credentials but here it goes, I think we should consider school vouchers in St. Louis. Before you scroll down to tell me I’m either insane or to thank me please continue reading.

Like many of you I’ve thought of school vouchers as an evil plot by the religious right to get us to help fund the “education” of a new crop Pat Robertsons. But my perspective has changed of late and it all began on a bus trip to New Town at St. Charles.

By pure luck the guest of honor for this event, John Norquist, sat next to me to and from so we were able to talk about many things. Norquist is a former Wisconsin State Rep., former Mayor of Milwaukee and is currently serving as the CEO of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU). Among the many things we discussed was school choice.

When it came up I was wondering if he was some religious nut but I didn’t get that impression from him. Then he made a statement which really hit home:

You already have school choice!

He saw my confused look and pointed out the bus window as we drove along I-270 in the suburbs. Ah ha. His point is that school choice has existed for decades, those with more money simply move to get better schools (or at least what they perceive as better schools). The reverse is true, people don’t move into areas where the schools are bad. A school voucher system in St. Louis, he argued, would allow someone to live in the city with less concern about the state of the public school system.
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Monday Morning Press Conference at Cleveland High School

I don’t know any details at this point but I’m getting word of a press conference to be held Monday June 5, 2006 at 10am at Cleveland High, 4352 Louisiana.

Is this called by the school board? Local leaders hoping to keep the school functioning as a school? I don’t have a clue at this point. Regardless, it should make for some interesting discussion about education, community involvement and neighborhoods.

UPDATE 5/31/06 @ 4pm:
The press conference is being held to launch the newly formed Alliance to Save Cleveland High. At this point their website (www.saveclevelandhigh.org) and phone number (314-442-4551) are not yet operational.

– Steve

School Board to Vote On Cleveland Tuesday

I’ve been told, by a credible source, that the St. Louis School Board will vote on a proposal from Superintendent Williams to “get the students out of Cleveland High School.” Many from the local community, including Alderwoman Dorothy Kirner, had asked the school system to keep Cleveland open until more detailed assessments of the condition and cost of repairs could be made.

The meeting is apparently set for this coming Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 5pm at HQ on 11th. Two board members, Flint Fowler & Bill Purdy, that were expected to vote to delay any action will apparently be unable to attend.

I can accept that Cleveland may not stay open as a school but it seems like the action is being made hastily (like so many decisions). I can’t help but wonder if we are not getting the full story.

– Steve

Official: Cleveland High School To Close!

Back in March I reported a rumor that Cleveland High School was to be torn down. People questioned this, saying it was not possible. Well, today it got a little closer to the truth.

PubDef Weekly’s Antonio French has confirmed school Superintendent Creg Williams is looking at moving classes to another school and possibly selling the building. At this point the fate of the building is unknown.

Photo courtesy of Built St. Louis.

– Steve

PubDef Endorses Downs & Jones w/Video!

PubDef Weekly has endorsed school board candidates Peter Downs and Donna Jones. Publisher Antonio French has also put up a brief video of Peter Downs explaining why should vote for him. Click here to read what French has to say and to watch the video.

The election is Tuesday!

– Steve

Urban Review Endorses Downs & Jones

Mayor Slay is endorsing two current St. Louis School Board members for re-election; Darnetta Clinkscale & James Buford. Therefore, I am endorsing school watchdog Peter Downs and Donna Jones, both parents of children attending St. Louis Public Schools.

Actually, it is not quite as simple as favoring those candidates challenging those which the mayor endorses. I truly believe Peter Downs is one of the most knowledgeable citizens when it comes to education. I like what he has to say, specifically how he ties education together with economic development and strengthening our neighborhoods. Downs and Donna Jones are seen as having a similar platform of creating a quality school system by being inclusive of all perspectives.

Frankly I don’t trust the mayor or his favored candidates. Razing the Century Building was supposedly done in the best interests of downtown and the city but we all know that was not the case. I just don’t trust the motives of Slay, Clinkscale or Buford.

The election is Tuesday, April 4, 2006. Please support Peter Downs & Donna Jones.

– Steve