The St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) are at a crossroads. With only one in five students proficient in reading and math, the upcoming school board election on April 8, may determine whether our city’s children receive the education they deserve or continue as is.
Recognizing the urgency of this moment, we came together as individual citizens
– not in our organizational capacities – to meet with school board candidates to
understand their visions, priorities, and plans. Seven candidates participated:
Krystal Barnett, Dr. Karen Collins-Adams, Dr. Zachariah Davis, Allisa AJ Foster,
David Jackson, William “Bill” Monroe, and Andre Walker.
Two, Brian Marston and Terri Powers, declined to participate, while Tavon Brooks and Antoinette Cousins did not respond to our invitations.
The conversations focused on four key challenges SLPS is facing: academic
achievement, financial management, community engagement, and ensuring safe
schools. Right now, St. Louis voters must elect board members who are
dedicated to finding solutions that prioritize student success.
Our school board needs transparent leaders who will collaborate with parents
and community stakeholders to make informed decisions and leverage resources
to support effective teaching and learning – prioritizing student success over
political pressures. The candidates who engaged in thoughtful discussions
demonstrated their understanding of the responsibility and opportunity of board
service and a commitment to being accountable to the community.
The stakes could not be higher. The three board members elected this spring will
oversee policies for student learning, teacher support, and provide financial
oversight and leadership accountability—decisions that directly impact the
futures of more than 16,000 children and teachers. When students don’t
succeed, our entire city feels the effects—lost economic opportunities, unsafe
neighborhoods, and deepening cycles of poverty. Strong public schools create
thriving communities and a stronger local economy, but that requires leadership
that puts children first.
It is critical that voters show up informed. In the last SLPS board election, fewer
than 59,000 people—just 29% of eligible voters—cast ballots. That small turnout
determined who controls the district’s $442 million budget, hires, manages and
fires the superintendent, and sets policies affecting every district student in St.
Louis.
Low, uninformed turnout has had lasting consequences—let’s change that. St.
Louis’ children are counting on us. Visit the candidates’ websites, attend upcoming forums, and identify which three candidates address what you want to see happen next in our school district.
Have conversations with your friends and neighbors – including reaching out to
any of us – to talk about the solutions presented. Let’s show up for our children
and vote informed on April 8.
To check your registration and find your polling place, visit
www.sos.mo.gov/elections. To review school performance data, visit Missouri
DESE.
Vanessa Cooksey, parent and civic Leader; June McAllister Fowler, civic volunteer, retired business leader, and SLPS graduate; Bishop Michael Jones, pastor and community leader; Michael McMillan, civic leader and former elected official; Leann Mosby, community engagement professional and SLPS parent; Adolphus Pruitt, community and civil rights leader; Rachel Seward, civic leader and former SLPS teacher and administrator; Keith Williamson, community and business leader