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Confidence in the St. Louis Schools Hitting All-Time Low with Philanthropists

Philanthropists, business leaders, andfrom elected and hired St. Louis schools
educational advocates across the region haveofficials, who ?often border on hostile?.
lost confidence in the St. Louis schoolsWith such instability and the lack of
board's ability to correct the ongoinggoodwill from the administrators and board
problems in its district, according to aresponsible for the district, it is difficult
September 2, 2006, article in the St. Louisto  maintain  any  sort  of  successes.
Post-Dispatch.
Here are just a few of the groups
The recent forced departure of Superintendentre-evaluating their support of the St. Louis
Creg Williams signaled to philanthropicschools:
groups and business leaders that problems
were escalating within the St. Louis schools.? Vashon Compact ? An advocacy group
Many believed Williams had a good plan anddedicated to improving student achievement in
goals in place; yet the St. Louis schoolsa block of St. Louis schools. Executive
board replaced Williams after only 16 monthsDirector Bill Carson stated they will not be
in the position, leaving many current donorsrenewing their five-year contract, which ends
to re-evaluate their commitments of money andat  the  end  of  September  2006.
services  to  the  St.  Louis  schools.
? Metropolitan Association for Philanthropy ?
Though many are willing to give the newThey provide guidance to 75 leading
superintendent, Diana Bourisaw, thefoundations in the area, including
opportunity to correct the St. Louis schools'Anheuser-Busch, Boeing, A.G. Edwards, and
problems, their confidence in the St. LouisEnterprise Rent-A-Car's charitable
schools  board  has  been  eroded.foundations. They recently established a
group to study the current situation of the
President and CEO of the St. Louis RegionalSt.  Louis  schools.
Chamber and Growth Association, Dick Fleming,
said there is no sense of real progress being? Pettus Foundation ? Managing Trustee James
made by the St. Louis schools board in termsFinch announced in July that in 2007 the
of direction and improvement. Williams hadfoundation will stop funding organizations
brought prominence and a reputation ofthat work with the St. Louis schools. They
success to the position of superintendent.cited the pity politics of the St. Louis
Just when a sense of momentum was being seenschools board, the many factions within the
within the St. Louis schools, it was abruptlyboard, the conduct of its members at
changed with Williams' departure. It makesmeetings, and their lack of progress and
philanthropists and business leaders stop andsuccesses.
re-access  the  situation.
? St. Louis Black Leadership Roundtable ?
Bourisaw is the sixth superintendent for theThey cautioned the St. Louis schools board
St. Louis schools in the last three years.that they may support a state takeover of the
She was hired without a formal interviewdistrict, if the board fails to address
process by the St. Louis schools boardproblems, such as low achievement among
majority, another event that makes outsidersAfrican-American  students.
pause and re-evaluate. The St. Louis schools
appear to be perpetually unstable, with yearsThese are not isolated sentiments. Many
of dismal test scores and constant financialphilanthropic groups, advocates and business
upheaval.leaders have been public with similar
comments. Bill Carson of Vashon Compact
Though many community and regional groupsbelieves a state takeover may be the only
wish to continue supporting the St. Louissolution that will entice the philanthropic
schools students, they are wary of the St.groups to continue their relationships with
Louis schools board's ability to do the job.the St. Louis schools.
They have experienced a lack of cooperation



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