While the 12 candidates for three open seats on the St. Louis Public Schools board of education are no doubt equally sincere in their belief that they can improve the school district, four have fairly high name recognition because of public service, service on the board or a previous attempt to win a board seat.
They are Peter Downs, Flint Fowler, Veronica O’Brien and William Purdy.
Peter Downs was defeated in his attempt to win a seat two years ago. He immediately began to publish an intensely reported newsletter, “St. Louis Schools Watch,” that has been widely circulated via e-mail and some subscriptions.
“I want to be part of a democratic revolution in St. Louis Public Schools,” Downs said.
“We need to involve parents, teachers and the community in deciding what St. Louis Schools should be. Neither administrators nor the school board are going to solve the educational crisis or the financial crisis by themselves, no matter how well-intentioned they may be.”Downs said he wants to open up the process to make the actions of the board more transparent and more responsive to the wishes of the community.He said this is the main reason that he began his newsletter, which has become a must-read for citizens interested in the city’s public schools.
Downs is a freelance writer and has been published in various magazines and newspapers, ranging from St. Louis Commerce to the Progressive Populist and the St. Louis Argus.
Flint Fowler is executive director of Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club of St. Louis, Inc. He also holds other leadership positions at Inroads/St. Louis Inc., Operation Teamwork, Saint Louis University and the St. Louis Area Boy Scout Council.
Though he has never run for public office, Fowler said, “I thought it is important to run, because I am a product of this district and I work with so many kids from this district.”
“I think I have something to offer. My idea of board service is to help create a positive environment that supports teachers and students.”
Fowler said he wants to help “convert negative energy into positive energy and re-establish trust between the community and the board.
“We have to build confidence in the board’s ability to do what is right for the students,” he said.
Fowler’s civic commitments include the Community Partnership Program Advisory Board for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, City of St. Louis Mental Health Board of Trustees, West End Community Conference Advisory Board and St. Louis Zoo Board of Commissioners.
Fowler said he could get along with all present board members, but would align himself with none. “I plan on being my own person,” he said.
“It is important for me to voice my opinion and my convictions. I also hope people will not think I acquiesced when I agree with the majority.”
Veronica O’Brien was appointed last May by Mayor Francis G. Slay to fill the remaining 11 months of the controversial Rochell Moore’s term.
A heated confrontation with fellow board member Vincent Schoemehl thrust her into the spotlight in November. She recently joined two other board members in a controversial meeting with Teachers Union Local 420 president Mary Armstrong shortly before the deadline for a job action.
She said she “fights for our kids and their future, often bucking my own colleagues to promote the interests of education.”
She said she supports efforts to move the district toward full accreditation and making community involvement “a priority in the operation of this district.”
If elected, she would “demand accountability of all administrators by performance-based contracts.”
As for the budget constraints that plague the district, O’Brien said the district “must turn to fiscal discipline and better management” before asking taxpayers to approve a tax increase.
William Purdy saw his tenure on the SLPS board of education end because a relative worked in the district. The law requiring his resignation was later changed.
Purdy is now seeking re-election to the board after winning six-year terms in 1991 and 1997.
A graduate of the former Southwest High School in the city, Purdy began teaching in the district in 1960.
After spending 10 years at Southwest, Lincoln Opportunity and Cleveland High Schools as an administrator and teacher, he spent the next twenty years as principal of both Central and Roosevelt High Schools. He retired from the district in June 1990. Purdy said his top priority is to strengthen student academic performance. In addition, he said, “Board decisions must always be made that are in the best interest of the children.”He also said he wants to “see a major reduction in both the dropout rate and in disruptive student behavior.”He added that he “strongly” opposes the outsourcing of public services to out-of-town, private, for-profit international and national corporations. As for past controversy within the board, Purdy said, “The feuding and fighting between board members and the community must be replaced with mutual cooperation and respect of students, parents, employees and the community.”
The remaining candidates for SLPS board of education will be profiled in coming weeks in the St. Louis American in alphabetical order. The election will be held on April 5.