The St. Louis Public Schools District is changing superintendents yet again.
Six months into the State’s takeover of the system, the Special Administrative Board (SAB) announced it will conduct a national search for a superintendent of schools and encouraged Superintendent Diana Bourisaw to apply.
At a news conference Tuesday afternoon, a visibly shocked and saddened Bourisaw said she respected the decision, but will not apply.
“I think we are on the right course,” Bourisaw said, citing reduced dropout rates, better test scores and other initiatives she implemented to improve learning.
She will continue in the position until the end of the school year or until the administrative board finds a replacement. This is the district’s seventh superintendent in five years.
“This was not based on her performance, or anything she has or has not done,” said Melanie Adams, a member of the SAB which took control of the district in June.
Adams said Bourisaw was not fired but asked to apply for the new superintendent position, which she said is different than that assumed by Bourisaw.
SAB member Richard Gaines said the SAB differs from traditional elected school boards in that it requires more governing responsibilities. He said the board is looking for a superintendent who understands the SAB’s role.
He added that the move was an attempt to further stabilize the district.
“The (Missouri) Senate appointed Rick Sullivan about two weeks ago,” Gaines said. “Once that was done, we felt it was imperative that we needed a superintendent with a multi-year contract.”
Bourisaw has served as superintendent for a little more than a year. She was appointed as interim in July 2006 by the elected Board of Education after then-superintendent Creg Williams abruptly resigned.
Sullivan said the SAB “has the obligation to go through the process and find the best candidates available.” Of Bourisaw, he said, “When we showed up, she was already here.”
The events leading up to Bourisaw’s announcement Tuesday began Monday, with the three appointed board members discussing the role of a superintendent and its relationship with a system that was radically reconfigured by State intervention.
Within hours, the administrative board told Bourisaw to apply. On Tuesday afternoon, she declined. She would not give specifics about her decision not to pursue the position.
At the news conference, she received a standing ovation from parents, with several saying they were sad to see her go.
Peter Downs, president of the elected school board, was present when Bourisaw was hired as interim superintendent.
“The State Board of Education made a big deal that superintendents were not kept here long enough for them to accomplish anything,” Downs said.
“It seems to run counter to the reason the State board gave for removing the board elected by voters.”
Mary J. Armstrong, president of teachers’ Local 420, called the board’s decision “semantics” and saw it as a possible attempt bring in more charter schools.
“We’ve been jumping through so many hoops for the past five years that we just see another hoop for us to jump through,” Armstrong said.
On Tuesday evening State Senate Minority Leader Maida Coleman said she was alarmed at the board’s decision. She issued a statement saying she has filed legislation to dissolve the SAB and return control of the St. Louis Public School system to the elected representatives.
“We need strong leadership to guide our school district through these troubling times, and Dr. Bourisaw has proven to be an effective leader who cares about our students,” Coleman said in the statement.
“I have little confidence that the governor’s handpicked henchman will do the right thing for our students when he chooses a new superintendent.”
In fact, only Sullivan was appointed by Gov. Matt Blunt. Adams was appointed by Mayor Francis G. Slay and Gaines by Aldermanic President Lewis Reed.