Richard Gaines, Melanie Adams said to be picks

By Alvin A. Reid Of the St. Louis American

Mayor Francis G. Slay and Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed will announce their selections for a transitional school board to govern over St. Louis Public Schools during an 11 a.m. press conference today (June 14) at City Hall.

The St. Louis American has learned that Richard K. Gaines, a member of the Black Leadership Roundtable and local businessman, is Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed’s pick for the board.

A source close to Reed said, “As a past president of the SLPS school board, Reed selected Gaines because he understands the district, its budget and will provide institutional memory for the other two appointed members of the board.”

Sources close to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education told the American that Melanie Adams, an executive with the Missouri Historical Society, is Slay’s choice. Adams is also a member of the Black Leadership Roundtable and she, like Gaines, is black.

“I believe in public education. I believe access to a free, quality education is a fundamental civil right. Without a good education, children have very little hope for the future. Without a good school system, our city will not reach its full potential,” Slay told the American on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, the right to a quality, free education has been violated for far too many children in the city of St. Louis - particularly low-income African American children.”

While it seems akin to Nero fiddling as Rome burned, the St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education elected Peter Downs as its president by a 4-3 vote on Tuesday night.

David Jackson, who blasted the board in an email last week only to apologize during the meeting, was elected vice president. Flint Fowler, who nominated Jackson, was re-elected as secretary.

Barring a stunning judicial reversal, the vote would most likely only mean Downs will be in charge of reporting to a new transitional board headed up by Rick Sullivan. Sullivan, Gov. Matt Blunt’s appointee, will be joined by appointees named by Slay and Reed.

The last effort to stave off the transition board was playing out at the American’s press time on Wednesday.

SLPS attorneys were making a case that the state has no legal authority to appoint a transition board and strip the existing board of its powers. The court session was held before Circuit Judge Richard G. Callahan in Jefferson City.

On Monday, DESE rejected the board’s appeal of its decision to strip the existing board of authority and replace it with the transitional board.

Slay said it’s time to stop challenging what needs to be done.

“Some kids get a very good education in the St. Louis Public Schools. Unfortunately, the vast majority don’t,” said the mayor.

“It may very well take a long time to fix the St. Louis Public Schools. But, it is my hope that the new school board will put the district on a path to success. That means every child - regardless of race or income - will have access to a quality education.”

John Bass honored

Last week, the board approved a resolution to honor the late John F. Bass.

As a result, six schools in North St. Louis are now part of a memorial named the John F. Bass Educational Campus.

The campus is located in The Ville neighborhood in North St. Louis; the community where the former Missouri state senator lived. Schools included in the campus are: Sumner High School, Turner Middle School, Cole Elementary School, Simmons/Marshall Elementary School, Hickey Elementary School and Cote Brilliante Elementary School.

Each school will retain its name while becoming a part of the complex.

“I cannot think of anyone who exceeds the width and breadth of public service provided by Senator John F. Bass,” said board member William Purdy.

“His dedication to education has been a key area of involvement, but the totality of his commitment in the areas of politics, health and civic pioneering was reflected in his unquenchable passion for focusing on the needs of children and the less fortunate in the community and his efforts were outstanding.”