By Susan Turk

It’s going to be a long ballot November 2.  In additional to congressinal and state legislative races, judicial retentions and several propositions, there will also be 2 seats on the St. Louis Board of Eucation which will have to be decided.  As part of the legislation which enabled the end of federal oversight of the SLPS, the Board of Education was downsized from 12 to 7 members.  In stead of all their elections taking place in odd years during municipal elections, one election would have to take place during an even year.  To save the SLPS the cost of paying for an election entirely on its own, the even year election was moved to November.  This is the first one to be held.  It wil be interesting to see whether there is a significant increase in voters participating in the choice of school board members.  November general elections have a higher voter turnout than April municipal elections.  One of the concerns of the Special Advisory Committee on the SLPS which is introducing a draft of its final report at 2 p.m. today, is increasing participation in school board elections.  They ar expected to recommend that all school board elections be held in november in the future.

There are 2 seats to be decided. The candidates, in the order they will appear on the ballot, are incumbent Donna Jones, William Monroe, Jr., Douglass Petty, William C. Haas, and Derek D. Craft.  Donald Todd Evans is also on the ballot but he has dropped out of the race.

The Watch has asked the candidates to submit a brief biography and answers to questions to educate voters about their candidacy.  We had hoped to have all of their responses by this time.  Alas, only Bill Haas has responded so far.  His answers to our questions follow.  We will publish the other candidates responses when they provide them.  One of the candidates expressed concern that I would edit his response.  Consequently, I have not and will not edit what the candidates write.  You get to read their answers as they sent them.

William (Bill) Haas

Please supply a brief autobiography.

20 years corporate law practice, 9 years Walmart Customer Service Manager, 12 years college adjunct (English, Philosophy, Law, Ethics and Business and Government, last 11 at Harris Stowe ), 8 years SLPS Board member (1997-2005 - people say I did well standing up for parents, staff and kids to the forces of evil and darkness; was even sued! very stressful, but I’m proud; help settle teacher negotiations in 2005 when Slay group trying to break union by precipitating a strike ), 4 years subbing in SLPS. Democratic nominee of Congress 2008.   66 years old, 1 son, math major at Lindenwood, daughter-in-law, English major , 6 month old grandson in training for congress.

Please answer the follow questions.

The SLPS is currently governed by an appointed board.  The elected board has limited responsibilities.  It is unlikely the board of education will be returned to power during the length of the term for which you are running.  Why, then, are you running?

“First, I filed when there was still some hope of elected board getting power back; I’d like to lobby for that, be there when it does; lead attempt at state-wide referendum to make it happen; add to dialogue; bully pulpit and like that.”

What is the role of a board member?

“Set policy; dialogue with Superintendent on issues affecting the district; community engagement and leadership; help get all the kids in the top half of their class.  Help set our vision high and not take no for an answer; convince people of what is the right thing to do and inspire them to do it.”

What do you plan to accomplish as a board member?

“I’d like to convince state auditor to do an audit of the district; from experience as substitute, lots going on that shouldnt be, even with subs; what other political tricks and waste is going on?  Lead movement for a state referendum on dese takeovers.  Lead movement for better student discipline, business community involvement, parental involvement, pre-k, all students reading at grade-level by third grade.”

Are you the parent of children who currently attend or graduated from the SLPS?  If you are not an SLPS parent, do you have any other connection with the SLPS?

“Not a parent but former board member, of course, and 4 year substitute, daily the last 3 years; no better training for being on the board if you ask me, and I think you did.”

Are you an SLPS graduate?

“nope. but public school graduate.”

What are your thoughts about the SAB which runs the district?

“dont get me started; well, I guess it’s too late for that;

Several thoughts:

The same people who engineered the takeover of the district are the same ones who the voters kicked out for being dysfunctional and not doing well or caring what people thought or felt.  They were more concerned with their own agenda than what was good for the district.
Then DESE had to manipulate the accreditation points to complete the takeover, and that was wrong even tho it lost in court.
So the SAB was not legitate to begin with.
Two causes were given for the SAB’s presence other than the jerryrigged accreditation scores: micromanaging and board discord.
What board doesnt have discord? And you dont think the SAB is micromanaging behind the scenes?
Admittedly, one board member was seeming to cause havoc towards the end, but the takeover would have happened anyhow; it just gave them an excuse.
Melanie works for Bob Archibald; you dont think he tells her what to do? I’m sure she’s a nice person, but Archibald was part of the problem.
Mussulini got the trains to run on time but that doesnt make facism a good thing.
My main problem with the SAB is that what if they’re no good?
What good would it do to leave them in control until we get accreditation?  It’s not like there’s been major improvement since they took over.
I like Dr. Adams, but I’ll take my chances with an elected board every time.
We need to constitutional amendment or statutory referendum prohibiting such takeovers.
If the elected board was held to standards (manipulated as they were) why shouldnt the SAB be?
Was it Wellston where it was taken over and it didnt do any good?
Elected boards are like all of democracy - it’s the worst system, except for all the others. (Churchill?)”

What is your understanding of the district’s financial situation?

“not good (the financial situation, not my understanding, tho maybe that too)”

What is your understanding of the effect of charter schools on the SLPS?  Should more charter schools open in the city?

(Note—Haas did not answer this question)

What  are your thoughts regarding the magnet schools?

“I like them; we should have more of them, perhaps;”

What does the SLPS have to do to regain accreditation?

“test scores, test scores and test scores; more effective teaching and learning;

I’m a big believer in programmed learning/computer-based learning, as we had in 1995-7 at the special school district/slps school at Arsenal and Kingshighway, principal Larry Hutchins; several years reading improvement in one year;  been a big believer in this from before my time on the board; expensive but worth it; or we can write our own and sell to other districts to raise money; I’d be willing to be part of that.”

What ideas do you have to help students learn?

“see above answer.  Also, I’d like to bring back reform skills: you’re either in your seat behaving yourself being the best you can be, or you’re out, then youre truant and in reform school in your seat behaving yourself being the best you can be; the choice is yours; of course, if we’re going to do this tough love for them (and so other students who want to learn, can) we have to bring them the academic skills they need if they dont already have them.”

What do you think about the MAP tests?

“Our scores should be higher; I dont have a problem with teaching to the test; you have to teach to something; good reading, writing and math schools as good as anything to teach to.  Rote learning bad, good academic skills (and self-esteem and behavioral skills) good.”

Sincerely, Bill Haas

6th Annual Educating for Change Curriculum Fair hosted at Roosevelt High School, St. Louis
Saturday, October 9th 9:30-1 pm
Contact Kathryn Pole (314) 977-7107

This is a half-day, interactive event that features exhibits and workshops by educators sharing ideas for bringing social justice education alive in classrooms and schools. There will also be dozens of community organizations sharing information about their organizations. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend workshops focused on issues such as immigrant rights, popular education, digital literacy and youth led social change initiatives. Mia Henry and Asucena López from the Chicago Freedom School, will be our featured speakers. They will speak about how adults can be allies to youth led social change initiatives.  There is a $5-10 suggested donation.

Everyone interested in educational issues is invited to participate in the Educating for Change Curriculum Fair (educators, parents, community members, social workers, activists, artists, etc.). This is a family friendly event and workshops will be available for parents to attend with their children.

Free locally raised, produced, and fair trade food and drink will be provided by our sponsors Baileys’ Chocolate Bar, Rooster, and Bridge Tap House and Wine Bar.

What:
The 6th Annual Educating for Change Curriculum Fair

When:
Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Where:
Roosevelt High School, 3230 Hartford St., St. Louis, MO 63118

Why:
The Curriculum Fair benefits the St. Louis Metropolitan area by building networks of justice in our communities.  It brings together parents, teachers, students and community members to engage in dialogue about how our schools and communities might me more inclusive and just.

 Sponsors:

Literacy for Social Justice Teacher Research Group, The Literacy Roundtable, College of Education and Human Services at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Dean’s Committee on Social Justice, College of Education, UMSL, School Sisters of Notre Dame, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Kappa Delta PI International Honor Society in Education, UMSL.

Saturday, October 16

is going to be a busy day.  The SLPS Town Hall at Vashon HS is scheduled for 10 a.m. that morning.  Magnet School Open Houses are scheduled for the same date starting at 11 a.m.  The Town Hall ends at noon.  Many magnet parents are voluntering at their schools and will be unable to attend the Town Hall due to responsibilities preparing for and setting up their open houses.

Please note: For October and November the Board of Education will be meeting on the third Monday to accommodate members’ schedules.  There was a typo in the last Watch indentifying the meeting date as Tuesday, October 18.  That was inccorect.  The meeting is Monday, October 18 at 7 p.m. at Carr Lane VPA.

Correction:  Thanks to careful reader Bill Haas for noticing a typo in the last issue.  The 2006 data for parents grading the district only added up to 80%.  A numeral was missing.  The complete data was 4% A, 11% B, 52% C, 22% D and 11% F.

Calendar
October 8, Friday, Special Advisory Committee on the SLPS (Danforth Freeman), 2 p.m., Harris Stowe State University Library Building
 
October 9, Saturday, Educating for Change Curriculum Fair, 9:30 a.m. -1 p.m., Roosevelt HS, 3230 Hartford Avenue, St. Louis
 
October 14 , Thursday, regular bi-monthly SAB meeting, 6 p.m., 801 North 11th Street, room 108
 
October 16, Saturday, SLPS Town Hall meeting, 9 a.m., Vashon H.S., 3035 Cass Avenue
 
October 16, Saturday, Magnet School Open House, 11a.m. - 3 p.m. all schools
 
October 18, Monday, regular monthly Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m., Carr Lane VPA Middle School Dance Studio, 1004 N. Jefferson
 
October 28, Thursday, regular bi-monthly SAB meeting, 6 p.m., 801 North 11th Street, room 108
 
Please note, The Schools Watch has a new mailing address, P.O. Box 1983, St. Louis, MO 63118. Our email address continues to be SLS_Watch@yahoo.com

Questions for the Watch?
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Send them to SLS_Watch@yahoo.com