[imc-st.louis] [Fwd: 1:00 PM NEWS 9/25 - SAB’s Superintendent Search Game is Wasteful and Disruptive ]

[ben]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	1:00 PM NEWS 9/25 - SAB’s Superintendent Search Game is
Wasteful and Disruptive
Date: 	Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:11:01 EDT
From: 	SLPSBOARDNEWS at aol.com
To: 	SLPSBOARDNEWS at aol.com



*ST. LOUIS* *BOARD OF EDUCATION*



Contact:  Peter Downs,
President                                            *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

Telephone: 314-621-1864

Email: pdowns at speakeasy.net <mailto:pdowns at speakeasy.net>



*September 25, 2008*

*1:00 PM*



* *


                Statement of the St. Louis Board of Education

* *

*The SAB’s Superintendent Search Game is Wasteful and Disruptive*



The St. Louis Board of Education strongly disapproves of the actions of
the state appointed board (SAB) in creating instability in the
leadership of our public school district.



We agree with the widespread observations of both average citizens and
people of prominence that the expensive superintendent search process to
which the SAB has subjected the school district is unnecessary,
disruptive, and wasteful.



Post-Dispatch columnist Bill McClellan wrote, “Superintendent Diana
Bourisaw had worked in the region, and by many accounts, was the best
superintendent the system has had in some time.” Noting that the SAB is
determined to replace her with someone from out-of-town, he asked, “Why
do we give our top jobs to out-of-towners?”



Writing that none of the out-of-towners had demonstrated any record of
accomplishment that out-shines Bourisaw’s, St. Louis American columnist
Jamala Rogers implored the SAB to “suck in their pride, and ask former
superintendent Diana Bourisaw to come back.” Recalling the disastrous
Roberti experiment, she added, “This district cannot afford another
failed experiment leaving more human and financial casualties in its wake.”



At the very least the SAB was clearly guilty of poor timing with its
search for a new superintendent. The most highly qualified people were
already under contracts in other districts when the SAB decided to begin
its own search. The remaining pool of applicants consists only of people
who are out of work or want to get out of their districts.



We agree with Mr. McClellan and many others that there are people right
here in St. Louis, highly respected educators such as Dr. Alice Roach,
for example, who are capable of leading this district.



We urge the SAB to decline to hire any of the three finalists its search
committee has selected. Instead, the SAB should ask Dr. Bourisaw to
return to lead St. Louis Public Schools. If she declines to do so, they
should retain Dr. John Wright or recruit some other experienced local
educator to serve as superintendent. And then, and only if it is
necessary, should they begin a search for an experienced superintendent
with local ties to take the helm of the district by August 1, 2009.



Lastly, it is our fervent hope that the SAB has not and is not charging
any of the expenses of its disruptive search process to the taxpayers
and children of St. Louis









                                                                     ###




*This SLPS Board News Update is from the Public and Governmental Affairs
Committee of the Elected Board of Education and was created to help keep
you informed about what is happening in the St. Louis Public Schools.
Please feel free to forward this News Update to others who might be
interested. IF AT ANY TIME YOU RATHER NOT RECEIVE THESE E-MAILS _REPLY_
TO SLPSBOARDNEWS at AOL.COM WITH _"UNSUBSCRIBE ME"_*





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