A crowd of supporters gathered on Thursday evening outside of SLPS downtown office to show their support for out-going Superintendent Diana Bourisaw.
“This is signaling that we are going to continue to fight for our children, teachers and taxpayers,” said activist Percy Green. “These people here are not legitimate.”
Green was joined by wife, Jamala Rogers, and approximately 40 parents and teachers who held up signs of support, read statements from state representatives and lit candles to show their displeasure for the special appointed board’s decision to seek another superintendent.
Organizer Chad Beffa said, “They don’t realize that kids in north St. Louis, the decision could make or break them. The parents will not rubber stamp the decisions they make that are detrimental to our kids, to the district.”
Some blamed Mayor Francis Slay for the district’s problems including Bourisaw’s dismissal and the state takeover.
“The decision was disastrous for the teachers and parents of the district,” said Bill Ramsey, a parent in support of Bourisaw. “Anytime the mayor has intervened, we’ve had a less stable district.”
The crowd eventually moved indoors to express their concerns before the special appointed board. The SAB meeting was the first since Bourisaw made her decision two weeks ago.
On Feb. 13, the SAB – made up of Melanie Adams, Rick Sullivan and Richard Gaines – announced it would conduct a search for a new superintendent of schools. They asked Bourisaw to reapply for her position, but she declined.
Bourisaw is the sixth superintendent to depart SLPS since 2003.
“She demonstrated she can handle the job effectively,” Rogers said. “She has given the district no reason to displace her.”
Bourisaw hopes to stay in her position until the end of the school year. The board plans to begin its search within the next month.