Being a superintendent of an urban school district – especially one run by the State – is hard, challenging work, but someone has to do it. The question now for the St. Louis Public Schools is: who?
A week after declining the Special Administrative Board’s offer to apply for her job, Superintendent Diana Bourisaw talked to the American about the SAB’s decision and the sliding state of public education amidst the mayor’s aggressive promotion of charter schools.
“Changes in the top level usually don’t help with stability,” Bourisaw told the American on Tuesday.
“But I do respect the board’s right to do that. Hopefully, they will find someone they want to keep in the long haul to carry out their plan, their vision.”
Bourisaw is the sixth superintendent to depart St. Louis Public Schools since 2003. The last superintendent to serve in the position for at least two years was Dr. Cleveland Hammonds, who was there from 1996 to 2003.
“The last stable superintendent was Dr. Cleveland Hammonds, who had been here for seven years,” Bourisaw said, citing that it takes five to seven years to change a district. Bourisaw has been superintendent for 18 months.
She said the SAB needs to make certain its next hire “can make that commitment for that length of time so things can progress.”
She added that once the appointed board figures out its role, that might clear up any uncertainty.
“The district needs to stabilize its governing leadership, so from now forward that needs to happen,” she said.
Bourisaw was careful in her statements about the meeting that led up to the appointed board’s announcement and her decision not to apply. She said she will continue in her position until the end of the school year or until the appointed board finds a replacement.
“I just decided to spend my time on the initiatives that we’ve begun,” Bourisaw said.
Bourisaw’s move to SLPS’ top post was an unforeseen journey.
Lashly & Baer law firm, under the direction of attorney Ken Brostron, hired Bourisaw’s consulting firm, Education Options Ltd., in June 2006 to do a two-month analysis of the district. Through that contract the elected school board (then headed by Veronica O’Brien) found Bourisaw, who was subsequently named interim superintendent on July 14, 2006. She became superintendent of the district after the board voted to drop the interim from her title.
She was not selected through a public search process, which the appointed board – made up of Melanie Adams, Richard Gaines and Rick Sullivan – said they wanted to do with its search.
They said the new superintendent would be totally concerned with academics, while the appointed board would take care of all the decision-making.
The appointed board’s announcement has sparked stern criticism within the last week. State Senator Maida Coleman filed legislation to dissolve the SAB, State Rep. Jamilah Nasheed is pushing to limit the number of charter schools entering the area, and many teachers and parents have renewed concerns about the stability of the district.
In recent years, the district has faced decreasing enrollment and a number of school closures to make up for a loss of funds, due in part to the growing number of city charter schools.
Currently, there are 16 St. Louis city charter schools. Mayor Francis G. Slay has opted to bring in more to rival the city’s sinking school district. The influx, Bourisaw said, has spurred a $56 million cut in the district’s budget, which is resulting in more cutbacks across the district.
The general lack of support for public education is a trend that has occurred all over the country, Bourisaw said.
She called urban districts “the lightning rod for public education” and said they often are treated differently than other districts. She made similar remarks when the elected board lost its fight in Cole County to regain the district’s accreditation.
“I’ve said since I’ve been here, we just need to change one generation and that can change generations forever,” Bourisaw said.
Bourisaw has made strides during her 18-month tenure. She has helped cut the drop-out rate by 6 percent, increase advanced placement enrollment from 300 to 1,300 students, expand early child care and after-school activities, and implement a number of learning initiatives for students and teachers.
“My heart and soul is in public education, particularly urban education,” Bourisaw said.
“There aren’t a lot of people out there that’s banging down the door for the urban superintendent. I’m probably one of the few that truly enjoys it. I hope to do something where I can still make a difference in the lives of children.”
Forum on school closures
State Rep. Talibin El-Amin and members of the Board of Aldermen will host a public forum from 6 to 8:30 p.m. today (Thursday) at Wohl’s Community Center, Kingshighway and Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., to discuss the proposed closure of four North City schools. The schools targeted for closure are Mitchell Elementary, Gundlach Elementary, Mark Twain Elementary and Simmons Middle School.